Residents across the Great Lakes region are facing challenging travel conditions this Thanksgiving due to heavy lake effect snow. The Upper Peninsula of Michigan has been particularly hard hit, with snow continuing from Wednesday into Thursday.
A blizzard warning remains in effect for Alger County, east of Marquette, until 7 p.m. Thursday. The heaviest snow is expected west of Munising, where the National Weather Service forecasts up to 13 inches (33 centimeters) of additional accumulation.
Meteorologist Lily Chapman, from the National Weather Service in Marquette, reported 15 inches (38 centimeters) of snow at her office Thursday morning. Nearby areas, including Bessemer, Michigan, have seen snowfall totals ranging from 18 to 28 inches (46 to 71 centimeters), depending on elevation and localized snow bands.
Understanding Lake Effect Snow
Lake effect snow occurs when cold air moves over the warmer waters of the Great Lakes—Superior, Michigan, Huron, Ontario, and Erie. The warmer air from the lakes rises, forming clouds that can produce narrow bands of heavy snowfall. Some areas may see snowfall rates of 2 to 3 inches (5 to 8 centimeters) per hour, with totals varying sharply over short distances.
This phenomenon primarily impacts Michigan, Ohio, and New York, but it can also occur over other large lakes, such as Utah’s Great Salt Lake.
In areas like Montreal, Wisconsin, near Bessemer, some locations recorded up to 33 inches (84 centimeters) of snow Thursday morning. Meteorologist Roy Eckberg of the National Weather Service in Green Bay noted that the region’s elevated terrain enhances snowfall, producing extreme totals in certain spots.
Travel Hazards and Power Outages
The bands of lake effect snow can create sudden whiteout conditions, making driving dangerous. Low visibility made travel across the Upper Peninsula difficult Thursday, while winds of up to 45 mph (72 kph) contributed to large snow drifts and power outages.
Over 1,000 residents near Houghton, Michigan, lost power, according to the Upper Peninsula Power Company. Similar outages were reported along the Lake Michigan coast near Holland by Consumers Energy. The National Weather Service in Grand Rapids warned of slick roads as about two inches of snow fell with strong gusts along the lakeshore.
Forecast Ahead
Lake effect snow is expected to gradually ease from west to east by Friday. However, a new storm system will bring additional snow to the Great Plains and Midwest through the weekend, with Chicago forecasted to receive up to six inches. Buffalo, New York, reported 2 to 3 inches of snow Thursday morning, with lake effect snow warnings in effect through early Saturday.
Travelers in the region are advised to exercise caution, as hazardous conditions may persist throughout the holiday.
