Winter Storm to Disrupt Thanksgiving Travel Across Michigan and the Great Lakes
A significant winter storm is poised to sweep across northern Michigan and the Great Lakes region through the Thanksgiving holiday, bringing heavy lake-effect snow, powerful winds and periods of near whiteout conditions. Forecasters say the system will begin affecting the area Tuesday and continue through Thursday, with the most dangerous travel conditions expected during this window. Snow or a rain–snow mix will settle over much of the region, but the strongest lake-effect bands are forecast to target northwest Lower Michigan and the Upper Peninsula, raising the risk of scattered power outages and major travel disruptions.
Several counties in the Upper Peninsula, including Marquette, Alger, Iron, Baraga, Houghton, Keweenaw, Ontonagon and Gogebic, are now under a winter storm warning. These areas could receive between 25 and 30 inches of snow, accompanied by wind gusts as high as 50 miles per hour from Tuesday evening into Wednesday, which may reduce visibility to nearly zero during heavier bursts. Farther east, counties such as Chippewa, Mackinac, Schoolcraft and Delta are under a winter storm watch, where totals could exceed a foot of snow and winds may reach 45 miles per hour. Lakeshore flood advisories are also in effect for Luce, Marquette, Ontonagon and Gogebic, where minor flooding is possible from Wednesday through Friday as winds push water inland.
In northern Lower Michigan, communities across Charlevoix, Otsego, Antrim, Kalkaska, Crawford, Grand Traverse, Wexford, Missaukee, Roscommon, Clare, Osceola and Lake counties are preparing for heavy lake-effect bands that may deliver more than a foot of snow at peak intensity from midweek through Friday. Open areas could experience wind gusts near 45 miles per hour, creating blowing snow and treacherous conditions on rural roads.
Meteorologists warn that snowfall rates could reach one to two inches per hour in persistent bands, with parts of the western Upper Peninsula possibly seeing more than three feet of accumulation by Friday morning. Near Ironwood, isolated pockets may receive even higher totals. Strong winds will contribute to drifting snow, sudden drops in visibility and road surfaces that can freeze within minutes when a lake-effect band stalls over a particular corridor. Bridges and overpasses are expected to ice first, adding to the danger for drivers.
Travelers heading out for Thanksgiving are being urged to exercise extreme caution, as conditions may become difficult to nearly impossible in some of the hardest-hit areas. Motorists are advised to allow extra time on the road, slow down and carry emergency supplies such as blankets and flashlights. Fuel stops should be planned in advance, especially in areas where visibility can drop suddenly. Air travel delays are also possible at regional airports in northern Michigan as snow and winds intensify into midweek, potentially affecting holiday travel schedules across the region.
