Marquette, MI — A major ice storm is bearing down on Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, prompting urgent warnings from the National Weather Service and raising concerns over widespread travel disruptions and potential power outages through the weekend.
According to the National Weather Service in Marquette, the Ice Storm Warning remains in effect from 8 a.m. Friday through 8 p.m. Sunday for Baraga, Marquette, Alger, Delta, Luce, and Schoolcraft counties. Forecasters expect ice accumulations of up to half an inch and wet snow totals between 1 and 5 inches, with the most severe conditions developing Friday night and again Saturday into Sunday.
Travel is expected to be very difficult to impossible, especially during the Friday evening commute. Officials warn that tree damage and power outages are likely due to heavy icing on power lines and limbs.
Marquette, Escanaba, Manistique, and Newberry are among the cities facing the brunt of the storm. Residents are urged to avoid nonessential travel and to prepare emergency kits with food, water, and flashlights in case of outages or road closures.
Drivers should remain alert for rapidly changing conditions and monitor local updates as a transition to a Winter Storm Warning is possible by Saturday night.
