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By Anna Skinner
Associate News Editor
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A powerful spring storm is set to hammer northern Michigan beginning late Wednesday, with the National Weather Service (NWS) warning that heavy snow, sleet and significant icing could make travel “nearly impossible” across several counties.
Multiple Winter Storm Watches stretch across the Upper Peninsula and northern Lower Michigan, where forecasters expect up to 5 inches of snow in some areas, accompanied by damaging ice and wind gusts exceeding 35 mph. The incoming system threatens widespread hazardous travel from late Wednesday through Thursday night, with the NWS cautioning residents to prepare for slippery roads, power outages and dangerous commutes.
The watches come as many other states remain under an array of winter storm warnings and winter weather advisories tied to numerous storm systems, which continue to push disruptive snow, ice and wind across multiple regions.
Read More on Weather
“Do not let the calendar fool you. It may be springtime, but high-impact snow and ice storms can still cause major disruptions in April," AccuWeather director of forecasting operations Carl Erickson told Newsweek. "Snow and ice could cause big travel problems at airports and on highways in the path of this winter storm.”
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In western and central Upper Michigan—including Keweenaw, Ontonagon, Northern Houghton, Gogebic, Iron and Southern Houghton Counties—forecasters warn of 3 to 5 inches of snow and sleet and up to two-tenths of an inch of ice. Winds could gust up to 40 mph, worsening visibility and road conditions.
The watch is in effect late Wednesday through late Thursday night, with impacts expected during both the Thursday morning and evening commutes.
Farther south, Dickinson and Menominee counties are also under a winter storm watch from late Wednesday through Thursday afternoon. Snow and sleet totals there may reach 2 inches, with up to 0.1 inch of ice and wind gusts near 35 mph.
A particularly dangerous setup is expected in Baraga and Marquette Counties, where up to 0.3 inches of ice could accumulate, along with 2 to 4 inches of snow, combined with gusty winds approaching 35 mph.
"Power outages and tree damage are likely due to the ice. Travel could be nearly impossible," the winter storm watch said. "The hazardous conditions will impact the Thursday morning and evening commutes."
This watch also runs from late Wednesday night through Thursday night.
Counties including Alger, Luce, Delta, and both Northern and Southern Schoolcraft are bracing for up to 2 inches of snow and sleet, and up to 0.1 inch of ice through Thursday evening. Winds up to 35 mph will further complicate travel.
In northern Lower Michigan—from Emmet and Cheboygan to Alpena, Charlevoix and neighboring islands—forecasters expect a shift from snow and sleet to freezing rain early Thursday. Ice accumulations could reach one-quarter inch in spots before temperatures rise above freezing in the afternoon.
A similar setup is forecast across Eastern Upper Michigan, including Chippewa and Mackinac Counties, where snow early Thursday is expected to transition into sleet and freezing rain. Ice totals could also reach up to one-quarter inch, accompanied by gusts up to 35 mph.
Across all affected regions, the NWS warns that the Thursday morning commute may be especially treacherous as snow and ice accumulate on surfaces. Evening travel may be equally difficult, depending on how quickly temperatures rise or the storm exits. Forecasters urge residents to monitor updated forecasts, prepare for power outages and avoid unnecessary travel during the storm’s peak.
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