Marquette, Michigan – A winter storm will bring heavy wet snow, mixed precipitation and wind gusts up to 50 mph across Upper Michigan tonight through Wednesday, increasing the risk of power outages and hazardous travel.
According to the US National Weather Service in Marquette, the highest snowfall totals are expected across the northern tier of the Upper Peninsula, especially the Keweenaw Peninsula and higher terrain of Marquette County. Communities including Copper Harbor and Houghton could see between 6 and 13 inches of snow by Wednesday evening.
Farther south, snowfall totals are generally forecast between 1 and 5 inches, though amounts may vary depending on precipitation type. Forecasters said mixed precipitation will spread into the region this evening, changing to heavy wet snow overnight across much of the north before transitioning back to a wintry mix in some areas late Wednesday morning.
The greatest threat for freezing rain accumulation is across south-central Upper Michigan and near the Michigan-Wisconsin border between 7 a.m. and noon EST Wednesday.
East to east-northeast wind gusts between 35 and 50 mph are expected near Lake Superior shorelines and across the Keweenaw Peninsula. Heavy, moisture-laden snow combined with strong winds could lead to tree damage and sporadic power outages.
Travel along US-41, M-26, US-2 and I-75 may become hazardous due to blowing snow and reduced visibility, particularly late tonight into Wednesday morning.
Confidence in snowfall totals has increased, though slight shifts in the storm track could significantly change precipitation types and local accumulations.
Residents are urged to monitor updates and prepare for possible travel disruptions Wednesday.
