Marquette, Michigan – A quick but impactful round of winter weather is creating hazardous travel conditions across parts of the Upper Peninsula this morning, with moderate to heavy snow falling over higher terrain before gradually shifting east. Snowfall rates may exceed one inch per hour at times, sharply reducing visibility and making roads difficult to navigate.
According to the National Weather Service in Marquette, rain continues to transition to snow from west to east early today. The highest snowfall totals are expected in the high terrain of Marquette and Baraga counties, as well as areas southwest toward the Wisconsin border. In these locations, snow rates could briefly exceed one inch per hour, dropping visibility to a quarter mile or less during heavier bands.
Communities including Marquette, Ishpeming, Negaunee, Republic, and Baraga are most likely to see the greatest impacts this morning. Elsewhere across the central and eastern Upper Peninsula, precipitation will be lighter and may mix with rain at times, limiting accumulation. Even so, slick roads are possible as temperatures cool and precipitation changes over.
Travel conditions are expected to improve later today as snow tapers from west to east. A brief lull in impacts is expected tonight, though conditions will remain cloudy. Widespread snow is expected to return Saturday through Sunday, bringing another round of travel concerns across the region.
Drivers are urged to slow down, allow extra stopping distance, and be prepared for rapidly changing visibility this morning, especially in higher elevations. Additional advisories may be issued as the next round of snow approaches this weekend.
