Marquette, MI – Travel across Michigan’s Upper Peninsula could become extremely dangerous starting tonight as a powerful winter storm moves in, bringing 1 to 3 feet of snow and potential blizzard conditions through Monday night.
According to the National Weather Service in Marquette, snow will expand northward into the Upper Peninsula late tonight, first impacting areas near the Wisconsin border before spreading across the region overnight. Snowfall will intensify Sunday, when widespread 1 inch per hour rates will be common and bursts of 2 to 3 inches per hour are possible.
Cities including Marquette, Munising, Escanaba, Houghton, and Iron Mountain could see prolonged periods of heavy snow Sunday into Sunday night. Strong northeast winds will increase blowing and drifting snow, creating near-zero visibility at times.
Forecasters warn the worst conditions are likely across eastern Upper Michigan and areas near Lake Superior, where blizzard conditions could develop Sunday night into Monday morning. Travel along U.S. 41, M-28, and M-35 may become extremely hazardous or even impossible during peak snowfall and wind.
Heavy snow and strong winds could also weigh down power lines and tree branches, raising the potential for scattered power outages across the Upper Peninsula.
Conditions should slowly improve late Monday as snowfall tapers, but difficult travel may continue in areas with deep drifting snow. Additional warnings or upgrades may be issued as the storm intensifies across the region.
