The winter storm bearing down on northeast Wisconsin this weekend will not just slow down travel on area roadways. The Washington Island Ferry Line is already warning riders that trips on Friday, Sunday, and Monday could be canceled because of weather conditions.

It follows an earlier announcement that heavy ice presence on the bay would likely force the ferry line to open its spring schedule with a revised slate of five daily trips to ensure riders can travel to and from the island safely.

Ferry President Hoyt Purinton says cold temperatures helped create ice thickness close to two feet in some spots, but the recent warm stretch has allowed some chunks to break off and create ice shoves along the coastline. With poor visibility expected and unfavorable winds anticipated to pick up, Purinton says some people will have to alter their travel plans as a result.

Purinton adds that trip cancellations are extremely rare, but they do occur. Of the more than 6,000 crossings scheduled each year, only about a dozen were canceled in 2025. He advises people to keep tabs on the ferry line’s Facebook page for up-to-date information.

Purinton is also looking at the bright side of the storms and melting ice. The additional precipitation will help water levels rise in Lake Michigan, which is 2 to 12 inches below the March average, according to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Three to six inches of snow could fall from Thursday night into Friday. While different outlets cannot agree on the high-end totals, meteorologists agree that at least six inches of snow could fall Sunday into Monday.