MARQUETTE, MI – Michigan’s Upper Peninsula is used to dealing with hundreds of inches of snow each winter and what can be some pretty nasty winds whipping in off Lake Superior.
But the National Weather Service warnings issued ahead of this incoming Sunday to Tuesday storm are being worded in ways we don’t usually see with a big winter storm.
The summary: This one could be really intense, cause damage, and have some long-lasting impacts. People already are being warned they’re not going to want to travel once this storm starts. Heavy snow and very high winds gusts are going to create blizzard conditions that will make travel dangerous and nearly impossible.
The message for Yoopers: Stay home, stay safe and ride this one out for a couple days.
Potentially historic, record-breaking snowfall between 1 to 3 feet, highest amounts likely central and east, beginning tonight. Strong winds and heavy snowfall rates will result in blizzard conditions at times. Widespread impacts: dangerous to impossible travel, power outages, prolonged recovery time.Graphic provided by the National Weather Service
The entire Upper Peninsula is now under a Winter Storm Warning (shown in pink on the map above) for a system that is expected to start late tonight and ramp up Sunday with heavy snowfall rates.
“Potentially historic, record-breaking snowfall between 1 to 3 feet, highest amounts likely central and east, beginning tonight,” the National Weather Service said. “Strong winds and heavy snowfall rates will result in blizzard conditions at times. Widespread impacts: dangerous to impossible travel, power outages, prolonged recovery time.”
A major winter storm will begin to strengthen tonight across the Northern Plains and then become an impressive blizzard in the Upper Midwest and Great Lakes Sunday and Monday. Potentially record-setting snowfall and strong winds expected.Graphic provided by the National Weather Service
Here are some of the key points in the forecast from the NWS meteorologists in Marquette:
HEAVY SNOW: 24 to 36 inches of snow could fall in some areas. This would likely break two-day storm snowfall records.
TIMING: Snow is expected to start overnight tonight, and turn into a widespread, heavy snow by Sunday. At its heaviest, some places could see snowfall rates topping 2+ inches per hour. Snow continues Monday before finally tapering off Tuesday.
WINDS: Winds blowing to 60 mph are expected. Some gusts could top 70+ mph. The strongest winds are expected in the Keweenaw Peninsula and along the shore of Lake Superior. These winds plus the heavy snowfall are the two ingredients expected to create blizzard conditions.
BLIZZARD CONDITIONS: “Widespread blizzard conditions possible Sunday night into Monday morning. Worst conditions over the east, particularly near Lake Superior where travel likely will be impossible,” the NWS said.
WAVES: This storm is going to create big waves on Lake Superior and elsewhere over the Great Lakes. Some forecasts for Lake Superior have waves approaching 25 to 30 feet. We could see hurricane-force winds over some areas of the lakes by Monday. Heavy wave action leads to erosion along the shorelines and flooding.
Snow rates will be heaviest Sunday, where snowfall rates of 1+ inch per hour will be common and 2-3 inch per hour rates will be possible for many. Moderate to heavy snow continues Monday before tapering off late.Graphic provided by the National Weather Service
RELATED READING: COMPLETE STORM UPDATE FOR ENTIRE STATE.
Here are the highlights from the National Weather Service in Marquette:
A potentially historic winter storm is expected to impact the Upper Great Lakes region beginning late tonight and continuing through Monday night, bringing dangerous travel conditions and the risk of widespread power outages.
Meteorologists are forecasting 1 to 3 feet of snow across the forecast area, accompanied by very strong winds that could reach 60 to 70 mph along the Lake Superior lakeshore and in the Keweenaw Peninsula. Inland areas could see wind gusts of 40 to 50 mph.
The storm is expected to begin in stateline counties late Saturday night into early Sunday morning, then spread north-northeast across most of the forecast area by Sunday morning. Heavy snowfall will continue through Monday before tapering off Monday night into Tuesday.
Snowfall rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour are expected from Saturday night through Sunday, particularly in areas east of the Spine. Similar rates are forecast for Sunday night through Monday, mainly in central and eastern areas. The combination of heavy snow and strong winds will create blowing and drifting conditions.
Winds will begin increasing Sunday, with the strongest gusts expected Sunday night into Monday morning. If wind speeds reach the upper end of forecasts, tree damage and power outages are expected.
Residents are urged to complete storm preparations today and avoid traveling Sunday and Monday. Current conditions feature temperatures in the 20s and teens with light lake effect snow in portions of western and eastern Upper Michigan. Daytime highs are expected to reach the low to mid 30s today before the storm arrives.
Following the storm, polar air will keep temperatures well below normal, with highs Monday and Tuesday only reaching the teens to lower 20s. Overnight lows will drop into the single digits in interior areas and lower teens near the Great Lakes. Wind chills could fall to near minus 10 degrees during overnight hours Monday and Tuesday nights.
Lake effect snow may continue Tuesday downwind of Lake Superior before conditions gradually improve. A weak weather system may bring another round of snow Wednesday before temperatures return closer to normal later in the week.
