Marquette, Michigan – Snow-covered highways and wind gusts topping 55 mph are creating near whiteout conditions across Michigan’s Upper Peninsula this morning, with travel rapidly deteriorating along US-41 and M-28.
According to the National Weather Service in Marquette, a Winter Storm Warning remains in effect until 7 p.m. Wednesday for much of the central and eastern U.P., including Alger, Delta, Luce, Schoolcraft, Baraga and Marquette counties. Keweenaw and northern Houghton counties remain under warning until 7 a.m. Thursday. Additional snowfall will range from 1 to 5 inches across the east, 3 to 8 inches near Marquette and Baraga, and 6 to 15 inches in Keweenaw and the higher terrain north of Houghton. Ice accumulations up to one tenth of an inch are possible, with winds gusting 40 mph near Lake Superior and up to 55 mph in the Keweenaw.
In Marquette, Gwinn and L’Anse, heavy wet snow is clinging to tree branches, raising the risk of sporadic power outages. Near Copper Harbor and Hancock, blowing snow is reducing visibility and drifting across exposed roadways. Escanaba, Manistique and Munising will see slick roads for both the morning and evening commutes.
Drivers should delay non-essential travel and carry flashlights, food and water if heading out. Prepare for isolated outages and falling limbs as winds intensify along the lakeshore.
Snow and strong winds will persist into the evening for most areas and continue overnight in the Keweenaw. Additional advisories remain possible as the system slowly exits early Thursday.
