The National Weather Service says a historic major winter storm is set to hit the Upper Peninsula starting Sunday afternoon and is expected to last through Tuesday morning.
In addition, the northern Lower Peninsula is expected to see snow along with snow/rain mixes and a quarter inch of ice precipitation or more.
“We're expecting anywhere from 1-3 feet across a wide swath of the UP, with the highest amounts concentrated over the central and eastern parts of the UP,” said Chris Burling, a meteorologist with the NWS in Marquette.
Burling added that some areas could see up to 4 feet of snow along with heavy wind gusts nearing 45-50 mph and in some areas up to 60 mph.
A widespread blizzard bringing potentially historic snowfall amounts is still on track to hit the UP from late tonight/early tomorrow morning into Monday night. Travel will quickly become very dangerous to impossible. Please stay safe and avoid traveling if at all possible. pic.twitter.com/UOU8quoKSB
— NWS Marquette (@NWSMarquette) March 14, 2026
“In terms of sheer amounts that we're expecting with this, it rivals really anything we've seen in the past," Burling said.
According to data from the NWS, the record for snow fall in the Upper Peninsula was 32.7 inches in a single day. “That could very well be in jeopardy tomorrow,” Burling said.
NWS Meteorologist Dan Cornish reiterated the seriousness of the storm in a briefing livestreamed on Facebook Saturday evening.
“Not only are those snowfall amounts impressive, but we are expecting strong winds along with this and that is likely going to lead to blizzard conditions,” Cornish said.
In addition, Cornish said that the northern Lower Peninsula can expect “significant icing... [and] a swath of 1/4 inch of ice or more is likely across northern lower Michigan,” he said.
Cornish added that the location of and the size of the highest amount of icing was unclear. The icing is expected to more heavily impact back roads.
Cornish made clear that the forecast could change and that “there's still high uncertainty in precipitation type and impacts for parts of northern lower Michigan.”
The snow is expected to be heavier than most lake effect snow. Cornish said this snow is "harder for the snowblowers to clear, harder to shovel, much more strenuous in those regards, much more slippery on roadways.”
The forecast for remainder of next week will be warmer but bring some more snow to the UP. However, Burling said the amounts will be minor compared to the weekend and Monday.
Local officials across the region are urging residents to prepare for possible power outages, complete errands before the snow falls, and to make sure emergency supplies are on hand.
Major winter storm: Burst of snow tonight-Sun, heaviest across Tip of the Mitt-E UP. Snow changes to a mix w/significant icing possible in N Lower later Sun-Sun night. High confidence in snow amounts in excess of 24"+ across the E UP, w/ lesser confidence on icing potential. pic.twitter.com/XzDQbiIuyO
— NWS Gaylord (@NWSGaylord) March 14, 2026
They also recommend signing up for weather and emergency alerts through the emergency management office in your home county. Many offer text message alerts that provide updates on weather conditions, travel advisories, and road closures.
Signing up for these kinds of emergency alerts is important “if things do escalate,” said Bryce Tracy, director of Mackinac County 911 and emergency management office.
“The biggest thing I can tell people is make sure that they have a primary and an alternate means of communication with their friends, and their family, and also amongst themselves,” Tracy said.
All local agencies and first responders are monitoring conditions and are ready to respond as needed, said a press release from the Cheboygan County Sheriff's Office.
“Motorists are reminded to use caution when traveling and give plow trucks plenty of space to operate,” the release continued. “These crews work long hours in challenging conditions to keep roads as safe as possible for the traveling public.”
Mackinac County has not put out a "do not travel" advisory and warming centers and care shelters will not be preemptively opening, Tracy said.
“Our residents in the area are pretty used to storms like this. They're pretty resilient,” Tracy said. “We're trying to save those warming center and shelter resources for as needed basis or emergent basis.”
The Cloverland Electric Cooperative, which services utility customers across five counties in the UP, including Chippewa, Mackinac, Schoolcraft, Luce and Delta, said they’re prepared for the storm and ready to restore power is there are any outages.
“Mutal aid is on standby,” said Allie Brawley, director of communication and member relations for Cloverland.
Brawley said the best way for customers to monitor any outages and restoration updates is through their website.
