Marquette, Michigan – Travel across Upper Michigan is rapidly deteriorating this morning as heavy snow spreads across the region, with snowfall rates reaching 1 to 3 inches per hour by late morning and conditions worsening through the afternoon.
According to the National Weather Service in Marquette, snow will continue expanding across the Upper Peninsula over the next several hours while increasing in intensity. The heaviest snowfall is expected across central and eastern Upper Michigan, including communities around Marquette, Munising, Escanaba, and Newberry.
By late morning, intense snow bands could drop 1 to 3 inches of snow per hour, quickly covering roads and reducing visibility to near whiteout levels. Conditions are expected to worsen further during the afternoon as strong northeast winds develop along the Lake Superior shoreline, blowing and drifting snow across highways.
Drivers along U.S. 41, M-28, and M-94 may encounter rapidly changing conditions with snow-covered roads and sudden visibility drops. The combination of heavy snow and strengthening winds could make travel extremely hazardous, particularly in open areas near Lake Superior.
Officials are urging residents to avoid unnecessary travel as snowfall continues to intensify. Road crews may struggle to keep up with accumulation rates during the heaviest bursts of snow.
Heavy snow and strong winds are expected to continue through the afternoon across central and eastern Upper Michigan, and additional winter weather alerts may be issued as the storm evolves.
