Gaylord, MI – Drivers across Northern Michigan should be off the roads before 1 a.m. Wednesday as snow, ice and 40 mph wind gusts begin creating hazardous travel that will last through 10 p.m.
According to the National Weather Service in Gaylord, a Winter Storm Warning remains in effect from 1 a.m. to 10 p.m. Wednesday for much of northern Lower Michigan and eastern Upper Michigan. Snow totals of 3 to 8 inches are expected from Emmet and Cheboygan counties east to Alpena and Presque Isle counties, with up to one-tenth of an inch of ice. In Chippewa and Mackinac counties, including Mackinac Island, snowfall could reach 5 to 9 inches with a light glaze of ice.
The heaviest snow is likely near the Lake Huron shoreline, where gusty winds will also trigger blowing snow and sudden drops in visibility. I-75, US-23 and M-32 could become snow-covered during both the morning and evening commutes.
Strong winds combined with wet snow may down tree limbs and power lines, leading to isolated outages across eastern Upper Michigan.
Residents should delay travel, charge devices and keep emergency supplies in vehicles. Road conditions will deteriorate quickly before daybreak Wednesday, and additional advisories could follow if ice totals increase.
