Snow slams northern, central Wisconsin

WAUSAU, Wis. (AP) -- A late winter storm has delivered up to 18 inches of wet snow to northern and central Wisconsin, closing dozens of schools and creating treacherous driving conditions.

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation recommended Wednesday morning that no one travel on several northern central Wisconsin highways that are covered in snow and ice.

Dan Clark, with the National Weather Service, says the highest totals range from 10 to 18 inches, with another 2 to 4 inches expected in northern Wisconsin.

Wisconsin Public Service spokesman Kerry Spees says wind and snow has caused as many as 14,000 people to be without power at one point.

Temperatures in the upper 30s resulted in heavy rain in southern Wisconsin.

In Verona, Fire Chief Joseph Giver says lightning ruptured a natural gas main Wednesday morning.