Marquette, MI – Roads across Michigan’s Upper Peninsula could become impassable within hours Friday night as up to 0.4 inches of ice begins coating highways, raising the risk of widespread power outages and downed trees before midnight.
According to the National Weather Service in Marquette, an Ice Storm Warning takes effect between 7 p.m. and 11 p.m. Friday across much of the region, continuing through late Saturday morning or early afternoon depending on location . Ice accumulations between one-tenth and four-tenths of an inch are expected, with wind gusts reaching 35 mph in central counties.
The most significant impacts stretch from Gogebic and Iron counties east through Marquette, Delta, and Schoolcraft counties. US-41, M-28, and rural county roads may become slick quickly, especially overnight. In Marquette and Baraga counties, icing begins around 11 p.m., while Ironwood and Iron Mountain see impacts as early as 7 p.m.
Utility crews are preparing for scattered outages as ice weighs down tree limbs and power lines. Travel during the Friday night and early Saturday morning hours could become dangerous, particularly on untreated roads and elevated surfaces.
Residents should charge devices, avoid unnecessary travel, and keep emergency supplies in vehicles. Warnings remain in effect through Saturday afternoon, and additional advisories could follow if ice totals increase.
