Even for the Upper Peninsula, the winter forecast for the next few days looks like a rough one. Winter Storm Warnings have been issued for a handful of counties along Lake Superior’s southern shoreline. More than a foot of heavy, lake-effect snow is expected in some areas between Sunday night and Tuesday.
And on top of all that, the Arctic airmass moving over Michigan is going to lock in place for the next few days. This will plunge wind chills in some areas to 25 degrees below zero, according to the National Weather Service (NWS) in Marquette.
Here’s the forecast the NWS team issued tonight for most of the U.P.: “Moderate to heavy lake effect snow continues as winds shift to the NW, with Winter Storm Warnings for Ontonagon, Alger, northern Schoolcraft, and Luce counties and Winter Weather Advisories across the western U.P. This will be accompanied by frigid Arctic air, plunging wind chills down to the negative 15 to negative 25 range for many U.P. locations. Bundle up and make sure you have a winter survival kit in your car!”
On the western end of the U.P., the Winter Storm Warning in Ontonagon County is calling for heavy lake effect snow. That warning remains in effect until 7 p.m. Monday. “The heaviest snow will be in the Porcupine Mountains and north of highway M-28.”
“Travel could be very difficult. The hazardous conditions will impact the Monday morning and evening commutes.”
“If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency.”
Here are some forecast highlights from the NWS:
- The heaviest snow is expected Sunday night through Monday night.
- On the west end of the U.P., Ontonagon County is expected to see up to a foot of snow by Monday night.
- On the east side, Alger, Schoolcraft and Luce counties will be a snow zone: “Snow accumulations of 10 to 20 inches tonight through Monday night, greatest between Grand Marais and Seney.”
- Winds will be gusty. Blowing and drifting snow could make travel difficult and create white-out conditions.
- M-28 could have deteriorating road conditions, with high winds coming off Lake Superior.
- “Cold conditions for the next few days. Low temperatures mostly zero to around 10 below tonight through Tuesday night. Wind chills 15 below to 25 below interior western Upper Michigan Monday morning and Tuesday morning.”
