Marquette, Michigan – Lake-effect snow and strong winds are expected to impact large portions of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula beginning Tuesday evening, prompting the National Weather Service to maintain and expand Winter Weather Advisories across multiple counties.
According to the National Weather Service in Marquette, advisories are in effect from 7 p.m. Tuesday through Wednesday morning or early afternoon, depending on location. Affected areas include Alger, Baraga, Marquette, Gogebic, Keweenaw, Ontonagon, Luce, and northern Schoolcraft counties.
Snowfall totals are expected to vary by location. Communities closer to Lake Superior may see 3 to 7 inches of snow, with locally up to 8 inches possible in higher terrain north of U.S. 41 in Baraga and Marquette counties. Farther inland, accumulations of 1 to 3 inches are expected, while western and northern counties could see 2 to 5 inches overnight.
Winds gusting as high as 45 mph, especially near Lake Superior shorelines, are expected to create blowing snow and sharply reduced visibility, making travel difficult at times. Gusty winds may also bring down tree branches in exposed areas.
Forecasters warn that temperatures will fall sharply below freezing overnight, causing untreated wet roads to freeze and become slick. The most hazardous travel conditions are expected during the Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning commutes, particularly along highways and exposed roadways.
The National Weather Service urges drivers to slow down, allow extra travel time, and be prepared for rapidly changing conditions. Visibility may drop suddenly in heavier lake-effect snow bands.
For Upper Peninsula residents, including commuters, students, and overnight workers, this system poses a significant travel and safety risk, especially near Lake Superior and higher terrain.
Additional updates may be issued as snow bands shift and wind impacts evolve.
