A blizzard warning, winter storm warnings, high wind warnings and other advisories are in effect across northern and western Michigan as a severe storm hits the state, promising to dump as much as 3 feet of snow in some places.
“Deep cyclone moving through the Great Lakes is forecast to bring blizzard conditions along the south shore of Lake Superior today,” the National Weather Service said. “Rain changing to snow with windy conditions for the remainder of the Great Lakes with lake-effect snows lingering into Thanksgiving holiday.”
The Upper Peninsula, especially the western UP, is forecast to see the heaviest lake-effect snow, with up to 3 feet possible by Saturday morning, Nov. 29, in some areas.
Here’s where warnings and advisories are in place.
Blizzard warning for the Upper Peninsula
A blizzard warning is in place in Alger, Baraga, Gogebic, Keweenaw, Marquette, northern Houghton and Ontonagon Counties in the western UP because of blizzard conditions, high wind gusts up to 55 mph and snow accumulating up to 29 inches through Thursday morning, Nov. 27.
“Travel could be very difficult to impossible,” the NWS said. “Widespread blowing snow, especially near the lakeshore, could significantly reduce visibility. The hazardous conditions will impact the Wednesday evening and Thanksgiving morning drives. Gusty winds could bring down tree branches.”
Winter storm warning: See warnings, watches, advisories in effect in Michigan
Winter storm warning issued for numerous counties
A winter storm warning is in place for Calhoun, Allegan, Barry, Kalamazoo, Van Buren, Mason, Lake, Osceola, Oceana, Newaygo and Mecosta Counties in west and central west Michigan for heavy snow, including lake-effect snowfall, up to 8 inches, ice accumulation, and high winds up to 55 mph through 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 27.
In northern Michigan, a winter storm warning is in effect for Charlevoix, Crawford, Wexford, Grand Traverse, Antrim, Kalkaska, Benzie, Leelanau, Manistee, Missaukee, Otsego and Roscommon counties for heavy lake-effect snow up to 18 inches and wind gusts up to 45 mph in some regions until 1 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 27, until 7 a.m. Nov. 27 or through 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 28.
The winter storm warning is in effect in parts of Chippewa and Mackinac Counties, Delta, Luce, Schoolcraft, Iron and Houghton counties in the UP for heavy lake-effect snow up to 21 inches and wind gusts up to 45 mph, in some areas through 7 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 27, 7 p.m. Nov. 27 or through 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 28.
“Snow and strong winds will lead to significant drops in visibility. Whiteout conditions are expected at times of heaviest snow and winds, most likely Wednesday evening into Thursday morning. Combination of visibility restrictions and snow covered roads will make for dangerous travel at times,” the NWS said.
Winter weather advisories issued
A winter weather advisory is in effect across parts of west Michigan, northern Michigan and the UP for snow and high winds in some areas until 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 26, 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 27 or through 7 a.m. or 7 p.m. Nov. 28.
“Roads, and especially bridges and overpasses, will likely become slick and hazardous. Visibility and road conditions may change rapidly over short distances in lake effect snow,” the NWS said.
In the UP the advisory is in place in Chippewa, Dickinson and Menominee counties.
In northern Michigan Alpena, Cheboygan, Emmet, Presque Isle, Montmorency, Ogemaw and Oscoda counties.
In west Michigan, Cass, Berrien, St. Joseph, Kent, Ottawa and Muskegon counties.
In mid and central-southern Michigan, Clare, Isabella, Montcalm, Ionia, Eaton, Jackson counties.
High wind warnings issued in Michigan
The NWS said high winds of 25-30 mph are expected, with gusts up to 60 mph.
The warning affects Allegan, Ottawa, Van Buren, Mason, Muskegon, and Oceana counties.
In addition, high wind advisories are in place because of winds of 20-30 mph with 45 mph gusts.
The advisory affects Midland, Bay, Huron, Saginaw, Tuscola, Sanilac, Shiawassee, Genesee, Lapeer, St. Clair, Livingston, Oakland, Macomb, Washtenaw, Wayne, Lenawee, Monroe, St. Joseph, Berrien, Branch, Hillsdale, Lak, Osceola, Clare, Newaygo, Mecosta, Isabella, Montcalm, Gratiot, Kent, Ionia, Clinton, Barry, Eaton, Ingha, Kalamazoo, Calhoun, Jackson, Emmet, Cheboygan, Presque Isle, Antrim, Otsego, Montmorency, Alpena, Kalkaska, Crawfor, Oscoda, Alcona, Missaukee, Roscommon, Ogemaw, Iosco, Gladwin, Arenac, Chippewa, Mackinac and Charlevoix counties.
Gale, storm warnings issued on Great Lakes
The weather service has issued gale warnings across the Great Lakes.
“The largest significant waves will be 18 feet with a potential maximum wave height of 26 feet,” the NWS said of Lake Huron.
On Lake Superior, a storm warning is in effect Wednesday, Nov. 26.
“For the Storm Warning, northeast to north winds 35 to 40 kt with gusts up to 50 kt and waves 14 to 19 ft expected,” the weather service said.
A storm warning is in effect for southern Lake Michigan as well.
“For the Storm Warning, west winds 35 to 45 kt with gusts up to 50 kt and waves 17 to 22 ft expected. For the Gale Warning, northwest winds 30 to 40 kt with gusts up to 45 kt and waves 14 to 19 ft expected,” the weather service said.
Small craft advisories are in place along all of the Great Lakes shorelines.
Here’s Michigan’s live Doppler radar from the NWS to see where the storm is developing:
See the Doppler radar for Michigan
(Hit refresh on your browser for the latest radar loop.)
The Lansing State Journal contributed.
Contact Jenna Prestininzi: jprestininzi@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan in bullseye of winter storm. See the warnings, advisories
Reporting by Jenna Prestininzi, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
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