5 counties throughout Michigan and Wisconsin are below a Winter Storm Warning because the Nationwide Climate Service (NWS) warns of heavy lake impact snow and harmful journey circumstances by Saturday night.
Snowfall Intensifies Throughout Michigan and Wisconsin
The Nationwide Climate Service issued pressing Winter Storm Warnings for Ontonagon and Gogebic counties in Michigan and Iron, Bayfield, and Douglas counties in Wisconsin. The warnings are set to stay in impact till 7 PM EST (6 PM CST) on Saturday, January 17, 2026.
Heavy bands of lake impact snow are anticipated to brush throughout the Higher Peninsula of Michigan and northern Wisconsin, making journey circumstances hazardous and probably life-threatening in some areas.
Based on NWS meteorologists in Marquette and Duluth, the storm system has intensified because of northwest winds pulling moisture from Lake Superior, triggering heavy snow squalls throughout the affected counties.
“We’re monitoring bands of intense lake impact snow that might cut back visibility to close zero briefly bursts, particularly in Iron County and alongside the Lake Superior shoreline,” stated a meteorologist from the NWS Duluth workplace.
Anticipated Snow Accumulations and Affected Areas
Every of the 5 counties below warning is anticipated to see various snow totals:
- Gogebic & Ontonagon (MI): 4 to 12 further inches
- Iron (WI): 6 to 11 inches in northern areas
- Bayfield & Douglas (WI): As much as 7 inches, particularly in northern zones
These counties embrace cities corresponding to Ironwood, Ontonagon, Hurley, Washburn, and Bayfield, in addition to a number of tribal lands like these of the Lac du Flambeau Band and the Purple Cliff Band.
The Apostle Islands Nationwide Lakeshore can also be throughout the warning zone, and park authorities are urging guests to delay any journey or excursions till the storm subsides.
Main Journey Disruptions Anticipated
Highway circumstances are anticipated to deteriorate quickly, particularly throughout peak snowfall durations. The Wisconsin Division of Transportation and the Michigan Division of Transportation are urging drivers to keep away from non-essential journey, notably on rural routes and close to lakefront areas.
In Wisconsin, State Route 13 on the South Shore is being highlighted as notably harmful, with blowing snow more likely to trigger whiteout circumstances.
“Visibilities might drop beneath a quarter-mile in snow squalls, making driving extraordinarily harmful,” stated the NWS Duluth spokesperson. “We strongly advise residents and vacationers to stay indoors and verify native street circumstances earlier than venturing out.”
Residents are suggested to maintain an emergency equipment of their automobiles, together with flashlights, meals, water, blankets, and a cellphone charger, in case they change into stranded.
Emergency Preparedness Inspired
Native authorities throughout the 5 counties are activating emergency response protocols, together with elevated snowplow deployment, warming facilities, and coordination with native regulation enforcement for street closures if wanted.
The Nationwide Climate Service can also be advising residents to put together for potential energy outages because of heavy snow accumulation on energy strains and timber.
What’s Inflicting the Lake Impact Snow?
The present climate occasion is the results of chilly Arctic air shifting over the hotter waters of Lake Superior, creating lake impact snow — a phenomenon frequent within the Nice Lakes area in the course of the winter months.
When the chilly air plenty transfer throughout the open waters of Lake Superior, they take up moisture and warmth. As this air rises and cools over land, it releases the moisture within the type of intense snow showers, notably in counties positioned downwind of the lake.
This course of can result in quickly altering climate circumstances, the place a transparent sky might immediately flip right into a near-blizzard inside minutes.
Faculty and Enterprise Closures Anticipated
With the worst of the snow anticipated in a single day Friday and into Saturday morning, college districts and companies throughout affected counties are more likely to announce closures or delays.
Native college boards in Gogebic and Iron Counties are already monitoring circumstances intently, and a few have suggested households to organize for digital studying or cancelations.
A number of companies alongside the Wisconsin lakeshore have additionally preemptively introduced they are going to stay closed Saturday to make sure worker security.
