Marquette, MI – Residents across Michigan’s Upper Peninsula are being urged to avoid travel as a powerful winter storm intensifies Sunday night, bringing heavy snow, dangerous winds, and near-whiteout conditions into Monday.
According to the National Weather Service in Marquette, rain will transition to snow from west to east Sunday afternoon and evening, with snowfall rates increasing rapidly overnight. Forecasters warn that snowfall could reach 1 to 2 inches per hour, especially in higher terrain areas of Marquette, Baraga, and Houghton counties.
Snow totals of 12 to 24 inches or more are possible along the Lake Superior shoreline, including parts of the Keweenaw Peninsula, with a greater than 75% chance of one foot or more in some locations. Strong northerly winds of 40 to 65 mph may cause blowing and drifting snow, creating near-zero visibility and blizzard conditions in the hardest-hit areas.
The storm’s timeline begins Sunday morning with light freezing rain or drizzle possible in eastern counties, which may leave a thin glaze of ice on untreated roads. By Sunday night into Monday morning, conditions are expected to deteriorate rapidly, making travel very difficult to impossible across much of Upper Michigan.
Power outages are likely due to the combination of heavy, wet snow and strong winds. Lake-effect snow is also expected to continue Monday night into Tuesday, adding additional accumulations in snowbelt areas downwind of Lake Superior.
Blizzard Warnings and Winter Storm Warnings remain in effect for much of the region. Officials urge residents to complete travel and preparations early and stay off roads during the height of the storm.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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