LANSING, Mich. — This Thanksgiving, people in the Great Lakes region are facing a snowy holiday, especially in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. A weather system has brought steady snowfall, and conditions are expected to worsen.
On Thursday, a blizzard warning was issued for Alger County, which lies east of Marquette. Snowfall has been quite heavy, with reports of up to 13 inches (33 centimeters) in some areas and totals as high as 28 inches (71 centimeters) near Bessemer, over 100 miles (160 kilometers) away from Duluth, Minnesota.
Meteorologist Lily Chapman from the National Weather Service noted variations in snowfall across the region. “It really depends on local conditions like elevation,” she explained. Some places see quick bursts of heavy snow, while others may only get a light dusting.
Lake effect snow is a weather phenomenon that creates narrow bands of intense snowfall, often affecting Michigan, Ohio, and New York. This happens when cold air from Canada sweeps over the warmer waters of the Great Lakes. The warm air causes moisture to rise, leading to intense snowfall. In some areas, this can mean 2 to 3 inches (5 to 8 centimeters) of snow an hour.
As conditions worsened, driving became hazardous. Chapman reported low visibility and dangerous whiteouts across the Upper Peninsula. Strong winds, reaching speeds of up to 45 mph (72 kph), also created snow drifts that blocked roads. Power outages were widespread, with over 1,000 reported in Houghton, Michigan alone.
On Thanksgiving morning, about 2 to 3 inches of snow fell near Buffalo, New York, prompting a lake effect snow warning. The weather forecast suggests that while conditions will improve as Friday approaches, another storm system could hit the Midwest this weekend, potentially bringing more snow.
Understanding lake effect snow is crucial for regional safety as it drastically impacts travel and daily life during winter. As the climate changes, experts are studying how such weather events might evolve. Knowing the science behind these snowy days can help residents prepare and stay safe.
For more information on weather patterns, visit the National Weather Service’s official website.
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Weather, General news, Thanksgiving, Michigan, Marquette, Wisconsin, U.S. news, Roy Eckberg, Lily Chapman
