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Even as thousands of Michiganders were waiting Saturday morning, Dec. 26, for their power to be restored from a Friday ice storm, the National Weather Service was predicting another winter storm for late Sunday through Tuesday, Dec. 29-31.
“An impactful storm system will move into Michigan Sunday into early next week, with accumulating snow, strong winds, and blowing snow,” the National Weather Service in Grand Rapids said on Facebook. “The best chances for heavy snow will be across the Upper Peninsula, and the snow belts of lower Michigan.
“Rain will likely mix in for portions of lower Michigan during the day on Sunday before transitioning to snow during the Sunday night into Monday time frame. There is still uncertainty in snow amounts and the intensity of the storm system, so be sure to check back for updates!” the weather service added.
A winter storm watch early Saturday was upgraded to a blizzard warning and winter storm warning for the Upper Peninsula. Storm warnings and watches were in effect for the Great Lakes and a winter weather advisory was issued in the northern Lower Peninsula.
In addition, a winter storm watch was in effect for the entire length of Lake Michigan and a high wind watch was in effect from central Michigan and the thumb to southeast Michigan.
The National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center called the system a “strong, multi-hazard winter storm” and said it will deliver heavy snow and whiteout conditions, hazardous ice, strong winds and dangerously cold wind chills.
“A powerful winter storm will affect the Upper Midwest, Great Lakes, and Northeast Sunday through Tuesday with heavy snow, blowing snow, and hazardous icing,” the weather service said.
Saturday morning, more than 28,000 electric customers in Michigan were without power after a Friday ice storm left behind a tenth of an inch of ice in place. Outages had totaled about 50,000 Friday afternoon.
On Saturday morning, the NWS office in Detroit said the system will bring much colder air and windy conditions by Monday.
“A rapidly intensifying low pressure system is forecast to cross the Great Lakes Sunday into Monday,” the NWS said.
The weather service said winds will be sustained at 20 to 30 mph and could gust as high as 55 mph.
“Scattered power outages possible,” the NWS warned. “Flash freezing on paved surfaces possible.”
In northern Michigan, the Gaylord NWS office said the storm will be most intense on Monday.
A complex winter system has potential to bring significant impacts Sunday thru Tuesday. Of particular concern is the Sunday night — Monday night period, when significant snowfall overlaps a period of very strong winds,” the NWS said on X on Dec. 27.
The Gaylord and Marquette NWS offices said snowbelt areas should anticipate more than 12 inches of snow. Strong winds will lead to blowing and drifting as temperatures “plummet.”
The Gaylord office said areas in northern Michigan should expect freezing rain Sunday morning, turning to rain until evening.
After midnight on Monday, the storm will turn to snow, which will be heavy at times, and snow will continue into Tuesday.
“The worst conditions are expected Sunday into Monday morning, when the combination of heavy snow and high winds could make travel very difficult to impossible,” the Marquette office said.
Here’s a look at the current radar and National Weather Service advisories, and where snow will fall.
How much snow could fall?
According to the National Weather Service Probabilistic Precipitation Portal, the following are “expected” snowfall amounts by Tuesday morning:
- Munising: 17 inches
- Ironwood: 16 inches
- Marquette: 15 inches
- L’Anse: 15 inches
- KI Sawyer: 15 inches
- Grand Marais: 15 inches
- Sault Ste. Marie: 10 inches
- Pellston: 8.9 inches
- Mackinac Island: 8 inches
- Gaylord: 7 inches
- Escanaba: 7 inches
- Kalkaska: 6.1 inches
- Traverse City: 6 inches
- Grayling: 5 inches
- Alpena: 4.7 inches
- Muskegon: 4.2 inches
- Holland: 3.7 inches
- Battle Creek: 2.3 inches
- Tawas City: 2 inches
- Port Huron: 1.8 inches
- Detroit: 1.8 inches
- Mount Pleasant: 1.6 inches
- Lansing: 1.4 inches
National Weather Service winter storm warning map
See the Doppler weather radar
What does a winter storm watch mean?
A winter storm watch, calls for the potential for heavy snow or significant ice accumulations, usually at least 24 to 36 hours in advance, the weather service said.
Watches are issued when there is a 50% or greater chance of bad weather, and released to give people enough time to set safety plans in motion beforehand.
