Marquette, Mich. – Heavy bursts of snow and 45 mph wind gusts are slamming Michigan’s Upper Peninsula right now, cutting visibility and turning highways snow-covered through at least midafternoon Tuesday.
According to the National Weather Service in Marquette, a Winter Weather Advisory remains in effect until 3 p.m. EST for Keweenaw, Houghton, Baraga and Marquette counties, with 3 to 6 inches expected and wind gusts up to 45 mph. Gogebic and Ontonagon counties could see 2 to 4 inches with gusts near 40 mph through early afternoon. Farther south, Iron, Dickinson and Menominee counties are under an advisory from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. CST with 2 to 4 inches and gusts up to 35 mph.
Snowfall rates may reach 1 inch per hour for two to four hours, creating whiteout conditions along U.S. 41, M-28 and stretches of U.S. 2. Blowing snow will significantly reduce visibility, especially in open areas near Lake Superior.
Drivers should slow down, increase following distance and prepare for sudden drops in visibility. Gusty winds may bring down tree branches and trigger isolated power outages.
Advisories remain in effect into the afternoon, and additional alerts could follow if snowfall bands intensify.
