Halloween winter wallop knocks power out for thousands in Milwaukee

MILWAUKEE — More than 5,000 We Energies customers were without power in Milwaukee's Riverwest neighborhood Tuesday evening.

The power outages occurred amid a Winter Weather Advisory and nasty road conditions as snow returned to the area for a chilly Halloween night. Despite the weather, the conditions didn't stop Wisconsin trick-or-treaters from getting their candy.

Check below for live weather-related updates.

5:20 a.m. Wednesday update: About 221 customers are without power, mainly between the villages of Butler and Brown Deer.

10:29 p.m. update: Over 1,200 We Energies customers are without power in Milwaukee, the outage map shows.

10:15 p.m. update: Weather update

9:45 p.m. update: Halloween snow totals as of 9 p.m.

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9:42 p.m. update: First snow brings frights on Wisconsin freeways on Halloween [Shaun Gallagher]

It was less treats and more tricks on freeways across Southeast Wisconsin as motorists dealt with the first snow of the season on Halloween.

From Sheboygan to Kenosha, reports of crashes filled the DOT’s tracker as drivers got their snow legs ready, dealing with the snow on the roads for the first time this season.

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It took crews in TMJ4 News’ Storm Chaser almost two hours to get from Sheboygan to the news station on Capitol Drive, a trip that would normally take about an hour.

Read this full story from Shaun Gallagher.

9:34 p.m. update: Wisconsin trick-or-treaters brace ghastly Halloween snow [Mariam Mackar]

The only thing scarier than snow before November is not getting any candy on Halloween, so Southeastern Wisconsin trick-or-treaters made sure that didn't happen.

Whether they were fans of the early snowfall or would rather do without it committed trick-or-treaters made their way through the slush to get their goods.

Brookfield parents say this amount of snow on the spookiest day of the year is a first for them.

Read this full story by Mariam Mackar.

9:17 p.m. update: 777 We Energies customers without power.

8:44 p.m. update: Power outages have increased in the Milwaukee area with over 5,300 We Energies customers without service.

8:25 p.m. update: Power is being restored to We Energies customers. Within the hour, the number of customers without service went from over 5,300 to roughly 2,700.

7:35 p.m. update: Over 5,300 We Energies customers remain without power... 4,200 of those customers are near Riverwest and Shorewood.

7:24 p.m. update: [Weather update from TMJ4 Meteorologist Kristen Kirchchaine]

"We've had snow, thundersnow, waterspouts, strong winds, and cold temperatures. Many areas picked up 1-3 inches of snow. Thankfully, all of this will wind down through Halloween evening and any snow ends by 10 p.m. But the night will be cold, likely the coldest of the season, with lows area-wide in the 20s and wind chills in the teens. Some re-freezing of wet pavement and sidewalks will be possible, still use caution on the roads tonight into early Wednesday."

7:10 p.m. update:

6:36 p.m. update: Milwaukee DPW issues update on its snow operation:

"This evening we began a General Ice Control (GIC)which is our most common operation. We deploy about 100 salt trucks to maintain safe and passable streets. The salt is pre-wetted with salt brine which activates the salt sooner and reduces salt bounce. We are addressing the main streets first and will then move onto the side roads. Our crews will be out for as long as needed. While plowing should not be needed these trucks are equipped with an underbody plow for use during lighter accumulation snow and a front plow for heavier snow."

6:32 p.m. update: Over 5,100 We Energies customers without power

6:18 p.m. update:

6:13 p.m. update: Over 4,500 We Energies customers without power in Milwaukee's Riverwest neighborhood, the We Energies outage map shows. A TMJ4 News reporter reports all street lights in the area of Holton and Locust are out. The main area of the outages appears to be on Holton, just south of Capitol.

6:11 p.m. update:

6:11 p.m. update:

6 p.m. update: TMJ4 full snow coverage including road conditions

6 p.m. update: The City of Sheboygan cancels trick or treat. It is rescheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 1 at 4 p.m.

5:34 p.m. update:

5:07 p.m. update: Trick-or-treaters in Waukesha bracing the snow and chilly temps

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5 p.m. update: TMJ4 news coverage on the weather and road conditions

4:49 p.m. update:

4:40 p.m. update:

4:25 p.m. update:

4:10 p.m. update: Waterspout spotted in Sheboygan over Lake Michigan (Credit: Travis Klingbeil)

Travis Klingbeil

4 p.m. update: TMJ4 news coverage on the weather and road conditions

1:45 p.m. update:

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