Upper Michigan – Winter Weather Advisories are in effect across large portions of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, with accumulating snow and strong winds expected to create hazardous travel conditions from Friday afternoon through Saturday evening.
According to the National Weather Service in Marquette, Alger, Luce, and northern Schoolcraft counties are under an advisory from 7 p.m. Friday to 7 p.m. Saturday. Snowfall totals could reach up to 8 inches, mainly north of M-28 east of Munising and northwest of Newberry, while 1 to 3 inches are expected elsewhere. Wind gusts up to 35 mph may lead to blowing and drifting snow.
A separate Winter Weather Advisory is in effect for Keweenaw, Ontonagon, and northern Houghton counties from 1 p.m. Friday to 7 a.m. Saturday. Forecasters expect 1 to 7 inches of snow, with the highest amounts north of Houghton along US-41 and between Houghton and Greenland along M-26. Winds could gust as high as 40 mph, producing patchy blowing snow and sharply reduced visibility.
Communities impacted include Munising, Grand Marais, Newberry, Seney, Hancock, Houghton, Ontonagon, and Copper Harbor.
The National Weather Service warns that the combination of snow and strong winds could make travel very difficult, especially on exposed highways and rural roads. The timing may impact the Friday evening commute and early Saturday travel.
Motorists are urged to slow down, allow extra travel time, and be prepared for sudden visibility reductions in heavier snow bands. Even after snowfall tapers off, drifting snow and slick roads may continue into Saturday.
