Marquette, Michigan – Travel across Michigan’s Upper Peninsula could become impossible before sunrise Wednesday as heavy snow, ice and wind gusts up to 55 mph slam the region, creating whiteout conditions and widespread blowing snow.
According to the National Weather Service in Marquette, a Winter Storm Warning remains in effect for much of the Upper Peninsula, with varying end times. Baraga and Marquette counties are under the warning until 7 p.m. Wednesday, where an additional 4 to 10 inches of snow and around one-tenth of an inch of ice are expected. Winds may gust up to 40 mph, significantly reducing visibility along US-41 near Marquette and Gwinn.
Farther east in Alger, Luce, Delta and Schoolcraft counties, 4 to 6 inches of snow and sleet combined with ice accumulations near one-tenth of an inch will fall between 1 a.m. and 7 p.m. Wednesday. Escanaba, Manistique, Munising and Newberry could see treacherous road conditions during both the morning and evening commutes.
The most intense conditions target Keweenaw and northern Houghton counties, including Houghton, Hancock and Copper Harbor. Snow totals there may reach 8 to 17 inches, with gusts up to 55 mph lasting until 7 a.m. Thursday. Blowing snow could shut down exposed stretches of M-26 and US-41.
Residents should delay non-essential travel, keep emergency supplies in vehicles and prepare for possible power outages as heavy snow and wind strain trees and power lines. Additional updates are expected as the storm tracks east across the Great Lakes.
