Marquette, MI – Winter weather continues to impact Upper Michigan as lingering lake-effect snow and blowing snow affect travel today, followed by another round of snowfall late tonight into Saturday, according to the National Weather Service in Marquette.
Forecasters say lake-effect snow is ending this morning across the north to northwest wind snow belts, but a couple more fluffy inches remain possible across the north-central and eastern UP, especially during the morning commute. Gusty winds may continue to reduce visibility and create slick, untreated roadways.
According to the National Weather Service, stronger winds will gradually diminish this afternoon, though light lake-effect snow may linger, mainly across the eastern half of the Upper Peninsula. Travel conditions are expected to slowly improve later in the day as snowfall becomes lighter and more scattered.
However, residents should not let their guard down. A fast-moving system is forecast to arrive late tonight, bringing 1 to 4 inches of fluffy snow across parts of the UP through Saturday morning. This system could quickly deteriorate road conditions overnight, especially on secondary roads and in higher terrain.
In addition, west to northwest winds gusting up to 45 mph are expected to return over the Keweenaw Peninsula on Saturday, potentially leading to renewed blowing snow and reduced visibility in open areas.
The most hazardous travel conditions are expected this morning and again late tonight into Saturday morning, particularly across the Keweenaw Peninsula, north-central UP, and higher elevations of the west and central Upper Peninsula.
Drivers are urged to slow down, allow extra travel time, and be prepared for rapidly changing conditions. Visibility may drop suddenly in blowing snow, even where snowfall amounts are relatively light.
