Marquette, Michigan – Bitterly cold air and persistent northwest wind-driven lake-effect snow are keeping dangerous winter conditions locked in across Upper Michigan today, with blowing snow and extreme wind chills creating hazardous travel, especially in the Keweenaw Peninsula.
According to the National Weather Service in Marquette, lake-effect snow will continue through today into early this evening, with additional accumulations of 2 to 4 inches across western Upper Michigan and 4 to 8 inches farther east. Higher localized totals approaching a foot remain possible north of M-28 and east of Munising, where snow bands are most persistent. Fine, dry snow combined with gusty northwest winds is expected to reduce visibility to a half mile or less at times.
Northwest wind gusts up to 35 mph are contributing to near-blizzard conditions in exposed areas, particularly in the Keweenaw. Roads can quickly become snow-covered with rapidly changing visibility, making travel difficult to dangerous at times. Drivers should be prepared for sudden whiteouts and drifting snow on open stretches of road.
The cold is equally concerning. Wind chills across much of Upper Michigan are plunging between 20 and 40 degrees below zero, cold enough for frostbite to develop in as little as 10 minutes on exposed skin. Residents are urged to limit time outdoors, dress in layers, and ensure pets are protected.
Snow intensity should gradually diminish later today, but dangerously cold conditions are expected to persist into Saturday morning. Additional advisories or warnings may be updated as lake-effect bands shift.
