Marquette, Michigan – Drivers across the western and central Upper Peninsula face reduced visibility below one mile through 8 a.m. Thursday as patchy dense fog settles over key corridors including US-41 and M-28.
According to the National Weather Service in Marquette, fog developed overnight and may redevelop again late Thursday night into early Friday, especially in low-lying areas and near Lake Superior. Motorists traveling between Marquette and Negaunee or along M-28 toward Munising should prepare for sudden drops in visibility during the early morning commute.
Warmer-than-normal air continues to spread across the U.P. through the end of the week. Afternoon highs are climbing into the upper 30s and 40s across cities including Escanaba, Iron Mountain and Houghton, with a few southern locations nearing 50 degrees by Friday. While the milder air reduces ice buildup, it increases the chance for widespread rain heading into Friday and Saturday.
Rain chances rise sharply Friday afternoon and continue through Saturday morning, with a 60 to 90 percent likelihood of steady rainfall. Wet pavement and ponding water could create slick stretches along US-2 near Escanaba and along I-75 south of Sault Ste. Marie. Drivers should allow extra stopping distance and use low-beam headlights in fog.
Overnight lows will dip into the 20s and lower 30s, hovering near freezing in some inland areas. That could allow patchy slick spots to form before sunrise.
Fog risks return late Thursday night, and widespread rain becomes more likely by Friday afternoon. Additional advisories may be issued as visibility and rainfall trends become clearer.
