After a freakish day with temperatures early on in the mid-40�s, bitter cold and high winds return to Madison this afternoon and into the early morning Wednesday.

The National Weather Service declared a winter weather warning starting today at 2 p.m. until noon Wednesday. Intermittent snowfall and unusually strong winds are predicted for the rest of the day and into Wednesday morning. The snow is expected to ease up by Wednesday night with howling winds continuing until Thursday.

Sudden changes in wind direction are responsible for the drastic weather change, said Jon Martin, professor and chair of the University of Wisconsin Oceanic and Atmospheric Studies Department.

The sudden cold front sweeping through the Midwest is not unusual after such warm temperatures, Martin said.

�It is typical to see a sudden increase in temperature before such a forceful front like this,� he added.

Although weather reports predict only a few inches of snow, the howling wind and freezing roads and sidewalks will be Madison�s main problem, said Al Schumacher, streets superintendent.

�The temperature is dropping so drastically, the moisture we�ve had all day on the pavement will freeze,� he said. �Our crews will be out all night salting the main streets and sanding non-salt routes.�

Schumacher said blowing snow would not be as bad in the city and dense residential areas because buildings block it adding �rural areas will get it the worst.�

Martin said he does not expect schools to close in the Madison area because there will not be enough snow, just a ghastly wind chill.

�We are in for a really wild night tonight,� Martin added.

According to Schumacher, after school events for Madison area schools are canceled today.

Martin advised residents to refrain from driving, if possible because roads will be icy and traffic will be terrible.

�Give yourself plenty of time if you do need to travel,� Schumacher said. �But the best advice is stay in if you can.�