Heavy snow has fallen on the Upper Peninsula since Saturday night, making many roads nearly impassable in Delta, Dickinson, Menominee, and Schoolcraft Counties. Large snow drifts can be seen throughout downtown Escanaba, where the community dodged the worst of last Wednesday’s storm but has seen the brunt of this one.
Road crews were out early Sunday trying to keep the roads at least passable in the city, as snow continued to fall at a rate of one-to-two inches an hour. This has led to many churches to cancel their services for Sunday.
As of 1:00 p.m., the National Weather Service reported 13 inches of snow had fallen in Harvey near Marquette, 14 inches in Daggett in Menominee County, six inches in Escanaba and in Stonington. In the western U.P., 13.6 inches was reported in Ironwood at 10 a.m., and in the eastern U.P., Manistique had six inches reported as of 10 a.m.
At 1:30 p.m., the Delta County Sheriff’s Department posted on its Facebook page a plea for people to stay off of the roads and to travel only when absolutely necessary.
It’s not over yet. The National Weather Service has warnings posted through 7:00 tonight for even more snow and wind. The warnings will end earlier, 4:00, in Alger and Marquette Counties.
Roads are snow-covered and very slippery. If you do not have to travel, don’t.
The Sunday matinee performance of “Fruitcakes” by Players deNoc in Escanaba was cancelled.
Including the cities of Iron Mountain, Menominee, Escanaba, Gladstone, Manistique, and Seney
…WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM EST /6 PM CST/ THIS EVENING…
* WHAT…Heavy snow. Additional snow accumulations this afternoon will range from 3 to 6 inches. The lowest snow accumulations will occur along Lake Michigan to the south of Escanaba. Snow will diminish during the late afternoon and will end this evening. Winds will gust to as high as 35 mph today. Because the snow is dense and wetter, travel will be especially difficult at times, and snow removal will be more difficult than normal. Gusty winds will produce some blowing and drifting snow, especially in open areas closer to Lake Michigan. The combination of snow and blowing snow will cause reduced visibilities. Isolated power outages are possible. If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency.
Including the cities of Gwinn, Marquette, Grand Marais, and Munising
..WINTER STORM WARNING NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 PM EST THISAFTERNOON…
Heavy snow. Additional snow accumulations this afternoon will range from 3 to 5 inches, greatest from Negaunee to Skandia and Shingleton then south to Trenary, Gwinn and Arnold. Snow will diminish, then end from north to south during the mid and late afternoon hours. Because the snow is dense and wetter, travel will be especially difficult at times, and snow removal will be more difficult than normal. Gusty winds will produce some blowing and drifting snow, especially in open areas closer to Lake Superior. The combination of snow and blowing snow will cause reduced visibilities. Isolated power outages are possible.
Including the cities of Ironwood and Iron River
…WINTER STORM WARNING NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 3 PM CST THIS AFTERNOON…
Heavy snow. Additional snow accumulations this afternoon will range from 1 to 3 inches. Snow will diminish, then end from north to south during the afternoon hours. If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency.
