LANSING, Mich. (PulseWire News) — Residents of the Great Lakes region are in for a snowy Thanksgiving as a weather system continues to drop significant precipitation across the area, particularly in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Snowfall that began Wednesday has persisted into Thursday, driven by winds and snow bands originating from the north and northwest. A blizzard warning remains in effect in Alger County, located east of Marquette, Michigan, until 7 p.m. Thursday.
The National Weather Service forecasts the heaviest snowfall to occur just west of Munising, with projections of up to 13 inches (33 centimeters) of additional accumulation possible. Snow bands are expected to gradually diminish from the western counties of the Upper Peninsula throughout the day.
Meteorologist Lily Chapman reported that 15 inches (38 centimeters) of snow were recorded at her National Weather Service office on Thursday morning. Reports from near Bessemer, Michigan, which is approximately 113 miles (182 kilometers) east of Duluth, Minnesota, indicate snowfall amounts ranging from over 18 to 28 inches (46 to 71 centimeters).
Snowfall totals can vary dramatically based on factors like elevation and the positioning of our stronger snow bands, Chapman explained.
Lake effect snow, characterized by thin bands of clouds capable of producing heavy snowfall, occurs when cold air from Canada moves over the warmer waters of the Great Lakes, causing moisture to rise and condense into clouds that can yield 2 to 3 inches (5 to 8 centimeters) of snow per hour, and sometimes more.
The adverse weather has made travel treacherous across the Upper Peninsula, with reports of low visibility due to sudden whiteouts. High winds reaching up to 45 mph (72 kph) are contributing to dangerous driving conditions and have caused significant snow drifts on roads. In addition, more than 1,000 power outages were reported in the vicinity of Houghton, about 100 miles (160 kilometers) west of Marquette.
Consumers Energy also reported outages along the coast of Lake Michigan near Holland, with continued snowfall expected. As Friday approaches, the lake effect snow is anticipated to lessen from west to east, but another weather system may deliver additional snowfall to the Upper Peninsula over the weekend.
On Thanksgiving morning, around 2 to 3 inches of snow were reported near Buffalo, New York, with a lake effect snow warning still in effect until early Saturday.
The National Weather Service forecasts the heaviest snowfall to occur just west of Munising, with projections of up to 13 inches (33 centimeters) of additional accumulation possible. Snow bands are expected to gradually diminish from the western counties of the Upper Peninsula throughout the day.
Meteorologist Lily Chapman reported that 15 inches (38 centimeters) of snow were recorded at her National Weather Service office on Thursday morning. Reports from near Bessemer, Michigan, which is approximately 113 miles (182 kilometers) east of Duluth, Minnesota, indicate snowfall amounts ranging from over 18 to 28 inches (46 to 71 centimeters).
Snowfall totals can vary dramatically based on factors like elevation and the positioning of our stronger snow bands, Chapman explained.
Lake effect snow, characterized by thin bands of clouds capable of producing heavy snowfall, occurs when cold air from Canada moves over the warmer waters of the Great Lakes, causing moisture to rise and condense into clouds that can yield 2 to 3 inches (5 to 8 centimeters) of snow per hour, and sometimes more.
The adverse weather has made travel treacherous across the Upper Peninsula, with reports of low visibility due to sudden whiteouts. High winds reaching up to 45 mph (72 kph) are contributing to dangerous driving conditions and have caused significant snow drifts on roads. In addition, more than 1,000 power outages were reported in the vicinity of Houghton, about 100 miles (160 kilometers) west of Marquette.
Consumers Energy also reported outages along the coast of Lake Michigan near Holland, with continued snowfall expected. As Friday approaches, the lake effect snow is anticipated to lessen from west to east, but another weather system may deliver additional snowfall to the Upper Peninsula over the weekend.
On Thanksgiving morning, around 2 to 3 inches of snow were reported near Buffalo, New York, with a lake effect snow warning still in effect until early Saturday.
