Detroit, Michigan – Michigan residents are being urged to stay prepared as a prolonged stretch of cold weather keeps the risk for additional snowstorms elevated through mid-February, following one of the largest winter systems to impact the country this season.
According to the National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center, temperatures across Michigan are expected to remain below normal for an extended period. With cold air firmly entrenched, any storm system moving through the Midwest or Great Lakes region would likely produce snow, while lake-enhanced snowfall could further intensify impacts in northern and western parts of the state.
The concern follows Winter Storm Fern, a massive system that swept from Texas to Maine and affected more than two dozen states. Fern delivered heavy snow across portions of Michigan, particularly in northern Lower Michigan and the Upper Peninsula, while gusty winds and blowing snow reduced visibility along major corridors. Travel conditions deteriorated on Interstates 75, 94, and 96, with widespread delays, school disruptions, and numerous weather-related crashes reported.
With cold conditions expected to linger, communities from Detroit and Lansing to Grand Rapids, Traverse City, and Marquette could face renewed disruptions if similarly strong systems develop. Michigan Department of Transportation crews warn that repeated snow events, combined with persistent cold, can quickly lead to icy road surfaces and difficult travel, especially during overnight and early morning hours.
Emergency management officials are encouraging residents to prepare now by checking heating systems, ensuring vehicles are equipped with winter supplies, and keeping emergency kits stocked with food, water, and batteries. Drivers are advised to avoid non-essential travel during snow events and to monitor road conditions closely.
While the exact timing of future storms remains uncertain, forecasters say the overall pattern supports continued winter impacts. Additional advisories and warnings may be issued as confidence increases, with cold air and the threat of heavy and lake-effect snow likely remaining a regular concern across Michigan through mid-February.
