Marquette, MI – A powerful cold front will sweep across the Upper Peninsula this evening, sending wind gusts up to 60 mph through the Keweenaw and sharply dropping temperatures along US-41 before midnight Friday.
According to the National Weather Service in Marquette, west to northwest winds will intensify rapidly as the front pushes west to east across the region. Gusts between 50 and 60 mph are possible in exposed areas, especially across the Keweenaw Peninsula and higher terrain near Houghton and Calumet. Temperatures will fall quickly behind the front, sliding from mild afternoon readings into the single digits and lower teens overnight. Interior west locations could drop as low as 2 degrees by early Saturday.
The combination of strong winds and falling temperatures may create areas of blowing snow, particularly along M-28 and stretches of US-41 near Lake Superior. Even light snow showers could reduce visibility at times, especially in traditional lake-effect belts east of Marquette toward Munising.
Drivers should secure loose items, use caution on high-profile vehicles and expect crosswinds on exposed roadways and bridges. Rapid temperature drops may also refreeze wet pavement, creating icy patches overnight.
Winds will gradually diminish Saturday, but colder air remains locked in through the weekend. Additional wind advisories are possible if gusts trend higher this evening.
