National Weather Service

State and local officials across the Upper Peninsula are urging people to stay home and not travel unless necessary as a major winter storm continues to wreck havoc on the region, causing white-out conditions and heavy snow.

An ice storm warning expanded to 10 counties in northern Michigan. The Presque Isle County Sheriff's Office warned people to stay off roads.

The Mackinac Bridge Authority said they've closed the bridge as a precaution as the winter storm heading towards northern Michigan has created low visibility for motorists. It's unclear when it will reopen.

The National Weather Service says snow totals up to 4 feet are possible in some areas in the Upper Peninsula. Meanwhile, ice precipitation is possible for the northern Lower Peninsula.

The National Weather Service says residents that live north of Alpena into the Upper Peninsula will see heavy wet snow beginning Tuesday evening and in excess of six inches of snow.

It's been very cold in Michigan over the last several days and it's only going to get more frigid. Experts say a polar vortex is making its way south from the Arctic Circle. WCMU's David Nicholas spoke with Joe DeLizio with the National Weather Service office in Gaylord to better understand what it means to be in a polar vortex and how it works.

Workforce cuts made by the Trump administration at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration are prompting meteorologists to debate the reliability of weather predictions.

The National Weather Service in Gaylord is recommending early travel to avoid the influx of lake effect snow.

There were 89 recorded waterspouts on the Great Lakes between Oct. 21-26, according to the National Weather Service.

Both the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and the National Weather Service warn of heightened wildfire risks in the region due to dry and windy conditions.