Icy conditions return with Winter Weather Alert

Thursday was a soaker across Northern Michigan, but now our attention switches from rain to snow heading into tonight. Winter weather advisories are in effect for Ontonagon, and Gogebic, Dickinson, and Alger counties until noon on Friday, while winter storm warnings have been issued for Baraga, Houghton, and Keweenaw, Iron, and Marquette counties until through noon on Friday.

Accumulations could exceed a half-foot in our western counties. Temps fall to the the low-30s, as winds strengthen out of the north at 15 to 20 miles per hour. Friday, snow exits east, as colder air arrives. Temps will top off during the day in the upper-30s and lower-40s, with northwest winds howling at 20 to 25 miles per hour.

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Tomorrow night, skies clear out as cooler air enters. Lows will drop between the low to mid-20s, while northwest winds weaken around 5 to 10 miles per hour. Saturday, sunshine returns and temps warm nicely bringing us back to the 50s.

Light snow, sleet, and freezing rain fell yesterday morning, but icy spots remained at a minimum with temps above freezing yesterday afternoon. Last night, patchy drizzle and freezing drizzle continues under mostly cloudy skies.

Temps will held steady in the low to mid-30s, while east winds blow at 10 to 15 miles per hour. Today, expect a few slippery roads early because of freezing rain, but warmer air and heavier showers enter during the afternoon.

Highs will top off in the upper-30s and lower-40s, with northeast winds at 5 to 15 miles per hour. Tomorrow night, rain switches back over to snow, as colder air returns. Lows will bottom out in the low to mid-30s, while winds increase out of the northeast at 10 to 20 miles per hour. We’ll keep snow showers around Friday, with the cooler air mass continuing to settle into the region.

[Courtesy of the National Weather Service]

A winter storm watch is in effect from Thursday evening through Friday morning. The national weather Service in Marquette has issued a winter storm watch, which is in effect from Thursday evening through Friday morning.

Hazardous Weather

Rain will change over to heavy wet snow as early as Thursday evening, and as late as midnight Thursday night. Freexing rain and sleet may briefly occur as the rain changes over to snow. The snow will diminish by daybreak Friday.

Six inches or more of wet heavy snow is possible Thursday night.

Impacts

Roads will become snow and slush covered on Thursday evening leading to difficult driving conditions. The wet and heavy snow will be difficult to shovel and plow.

Precautionary / Preparedness Actions

A winter storm watch means there is a potential for significant snow, sleet, or ice accumulations that may impact travel. Some areas of light freezing rain late tonight into Thursday morning.

Well in advance of a low pressure system developing over the plains. A mix of light rain and light freezing rain will spread into the west and central Upper Peninsula late tonight into Thursday morning. A thin glaze of ice may acculate on untreated surfaces across mainly the central Upper Peninsula before temperatures rise above freezing by late Thursday morning. Periods of light rain are then expected through Thursday afternoon.

If you have travel plans late tonight or Thursday morning, be prepared for icy spots on untreated roads. Untreated sidewalks will also become icy where freezing rain occurs.

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