Marquette, MI – A powerful lake-effect snow outbreak is hammering Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, burying roads and reducing visibility to near zero from Marquette to Munising. The National Weather Service Marquette office reports that the Winter Storm Warning remains in effect through 7 p.m. EST Monday, with 6 to 12 inches of additional snow expected, and locally higher totals over the high terrain of Marquette and Alger Counties.
According to the National Weather Service, strong northwest winds over Lake Superior are producing narrow, persistent snow bands that have already dropped more than half a foot in parts of Gwinn, Harvey, and Wetmore. Travel along U.S. 41, M-28, and M-35 is becoming extremely hazardous, with plow crews struggling to keep up as fresh bursts add several inches per hour.
Winds gusting to 30 mph are blowing snow back onto cleared surfaces, causing drifts and near-whiteout conditions in exposed areas. Authorities advise against nonessential travel, especially overnight into Monday morning. MDOT reports visibility dropping to a quarter mile or less at times near the Marquette County line.
Forecasters say a second round of snow is likely late Sunday night into Monday, before the system finally weakens late Monday evening. Temperatures will remain in the 20s, ensuring slick roads and a deep winter chill across the Upper Peninsula. Residents should keep emergency kits in vehicles and prepare for possible delays or temporary power disruptions from heavy, wet snow.
