Lower Michigan Getting First Snowfall of the Season – Here’s Where
It may seem early to get a brush of snow, but part of Michigan – even lower Michigan – are going to see the white, cold stuff this week.
It’s not unusual to get some snowfall in October, especially in the Upper Peninsula. But, this week, almost all of lower Michigan is slated to get its first snowfall.
According to the National Weather Service, Monday (Oct. 17) through Wednesday Oct. 19), Michiganders we be getting some actual accumulating snow in the “snowbelt” area of lower Michigan. Think areas like Gaylord. Even outside the snowbelt areas of lower Michigan, cities such as Lansing, Grand Rapids, Detroit and Flint are projected to get their first rain/snow mix on Tuesday morning, according to Weather.com. The good news if you’re not ready for the snow and cold is that much of lower Michigan is projected to be back into the 60s and even 70s by next weekend. I seriously cannot wait.
Now, going north, it’s a whole different story. Some areas of Michigan will see an upwards of 18 inches of the white stuff. The NWS in Marquette has issued a winter storm warning starting last Sunday (Oct. 16) for the entire western third of the Upper Peninsula. The warning states that there will be heavy snow falling between Sunday night and the middle of the day on Tuesday. Aside from the heavy area, a winter weather advisory is in effect for the southwest portion of the U.P. for lighter accumulations of snow. A winter storm watch is also effect for the central section of the Upper Peninsula for Monday night through Thursday.
Regarding the NWS at Marquette’s winter storm warning area, they state, “Heavy, wet snow begins tonight and continues through Monday night, resulting in poor travel conditions. Total snow accumulations of 8 to 16 inches in the higher terrain a few miles inland from Lake Superior with locally higher totals approaching 2 feet possible across the Michigamme Highlands. Winds gusting as high as 45 mph through Monday afternoon then as high as 50 mph Monday night.”
