Marquette, MI – The National Weather Service in Marquette has issued multiple Winter Storm Watches across Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, warning of heavy snow, strong winds, and whiteout conditions from Tuesday evening through Thursday, with impacts likely to extend into Thanksgiving travel.
Forecasters expect the heaviest snow across the Keweenaw Peninsula, Ontonagon, Baraga, and northern Houghton counties, where 14 to 25 inches could accumulate by Thursday morning. Winds up to 50 mph along Lake Superior may cause blowing and drifting snow and near-zero visibility at times.
Farther east, Marquette and Iron counties could see 8 to 16 inches, while Alger, Luce, Delta, and Schoolcraft counties are forecast for 6 to 12 inches. The combination of snow and wind is expected to make travel difficult to impossible, especially along U.S. 41, M-28, and M-35.
The NWS warns that conditions will worsen late Tuesday and Wednesday, continuing through Thanksgiving Day, as lake-effect bands intensify. Power outages are possible where winds knock down branches and power lines.
Residents and travelers are urged to prepare for dangerous winter conditions, check updated forecasts, and avoid unnecessary travel during the height of the storm.
