Marquette, MI – Lake-effect snow is intensifying across Michigan’s Upper Peninsula today, bringing locally heavy bands and periods of difficult travel from Alger County through northern Schoolcraft and Luce counties.
According to the National Weather Service in Marquette, widespread lake-effect snow showers began developing early Wednesday morning as cold northwest winds moved across Lake Superior. Forecasters say the heaviest snowfall will target the eastern U.P., where persistent bands could drop 3 to 7 inches, with isolated higher totals where snow bands stall.
Lighter snow is expected in the western U.P., where 1 to 3 inches is likely through this evening.
A Winter Weather Advisory is now in effect for Alger, northern Schoolcraft, and Luce counties, where visibility may sharply decrease under heavy bursts of snow. Travel could become hazardous at times, especially along open stretches of M-28 and rural roadways near Munising, Newberry, and the Seney area. Rapidly changing conditions may lead to slick roads, brief whiteout periods, and reduced travel speeds.
Forecasters noted that snowfall amounts may vary significantly over short distances due to the narrow nature of lake-effect bands. Communities such as Grand Marais, Paradise, and Sault Ste. Marie may see the most intense snowfall early in the day, with improving conditions expected overnight as winds weaken.
Motorists are encouraged to slow down, allow extra travel time, and check updated road and weather conditions before heading out. Snow showers are expected to gradually taper on Thursday as the lake-effect setup weakens and drier air moves in.
Residents across the U.P. can expect cold temperatures and breezy conditions to continue into the weekend, though no significant additional snowfall is anticipated after the current lake-effect event moves through.
