UPDATE: The NWS has issued Winter Weather Advisories for almost all of Upper Michigan. Check out our Severe Alerts page for details.
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Well there's some snow on the way finally. As of Saturday, we're about 17" below average for snowfall. Only about 18% of the country is covered in snow. Last year at this time, it was nearly double that amount. Check out this interactive map for more info on that. There's barely an inch on the ground outside the station, but give it 48 hours and it will be a different story.
First off, Saturday will be cool with highs around 30 under mostly cloudy to overcast skies. Some lake effect flurries are likely to persist most of the day under a north wind, especially over Marquette and Alger counties.
Saturday night will cool down to the 20s to upper 10s inland. Skies will remain mostly cloudy, but lake effect flurries will end as winds shift out of the east and southeast as a precursor of things to come. Snowfall from the incoming low pressure system should start out west late Saturday night. You can track the system here from the Hydrometeorological Prediction Center.
Sunday is the real day of interest. With this system, all of Upper Michigan will receive significant snowfall. Over the course of Sunday, a minimum of 3" is likely for all of the UP. The heaviest snow will be in the late morning to much of the afternoon. The heaviest hit spots will be in the western UP, especially in the higher elevations, with 6" or more very likely. Some spots could easily see more than 10" throughout Sunday. Conditions should be breezy and may reduce visibility. Highs will be around 30.
The NWS has issued Winter Weather Advisories for much of Upper Michigan. Warnings are in effect for much of northwestern Wisconsin and central Minnesota, and Blizzard Warnings in effect for further west than that. Check out the National NWS page.
The Marquette NWS also has a Winter Hazards page that you may find helpful.
As the center of the system moves past the UP Sunday evening, winds will shift out of the northwest which will enhance some of the system snow. The southern UP snowfall will weaken, but areas along Lake Superior will see continued lake effect or lake enhanced snow. Winds will weaken and lows will fall only into the 20s.
Monday will be a lake effect snow event. The southern UP will not likely see a single snowflake, but along Lake Superior that won't be the case. A few more inches are certainly possible. Highs will be a littler cooler in the 20s.
Monday night will be cold with lows in the 10s. Snow will weaken, but a little more is likely on Tuesday and Wednesday.
To summarize, the heaviest snow will definitely be on Sunday. This storm will be widespread and long-lasting for the western UP and near Lake Superior. Drive safe!
For the most up to date forecast, join me on the Late News and hit me up on Facebook. Facebook is a great way to send me of pictures of the snow, and to let me know how much you get in your area.
Also of interest... We may not have much snow now, but eastern Asia does. Check out this MODIS satellite image.
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