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Michigan lake effect snow drives hazardous Thanksgiving travel across southeast Michigan, northern Lower and the Upper Peninsula, with more snow likely this weekend.
Subtitle: Strong winds, whiteout bands and bitter wind chills hit Michigan as holiday travelers face lake effect snow, gales and blowing snow from Detroit to Marquette.
DETROIT, GAYLORD AND MARQUETTE — Issued by the National Weather Service at 6:01, 6:55 and 6:58 a.m. EST on Nov. 27, 2025.
Michigan lake effect snow is pounding holiday travelers today, with gusty winds, bitter wind chills and heavy bands of snow spreading across southeast Michigan, northern Lower Michigan and the Upper Peninsula. Forecasters say travel will be hazardous in many areas, and another round of accumulating snow is likely Saturday night into Sunday.
Michigan lake effect snow batters Thanksgiving travel from Detroit through the Thumb
Across southeast Michigan and the Thumb, strong west to northwest winds are pushing lake effect snow bands off Lake Michigan and Lake Huron. Gusts around 30 to 35 mph are common, creating wind chills in the teens this morning and only the low 20s this afternoon.
Most areas from Detroit south of I-94 can expect only flurries or a light dusting. However, the Thumb region faces the best chance for a narrow band of heavier Michigan lake effect snow. Local totals of 1 to 3 inches are possible there, with quick drops in visibility where squalls set up.
Road conditions will change quickly under these bands. A stretch of highway may be merely wet one mile and snow-covered the next. Drivers on I-75, I-94 and along the Lake Huron shoreline should expect blowing snow, slick spots and brief whiteouts through the day.
Over the waters, Gale Warnings remain in effect for Lake Huron, Lake St. Clair and western Lake Erie, with gusts of 35 to 45 knots and rough waves. Small craft on the open lakes and connecting waterways face dangerous conditions.
Relief arrives Friday and Saturday as high pressure builds over the central Great Lakes. Winds ease below gale force, snow showers fade to flurries, and daytime highs climb into the low to mid-30s. But the quieter stretch will be brief. The National Weather Service is already tracking a Plains storm that is expected to spread a broader shield of snow into southeast Michigan Saturday night into Sunday, with accumulating totals likely.
Michigan lake effect snow slams the Northern Lower with heavy bands and strong winds
Farther north, northern Lower Michigan faces a high-impact lake effect event tied to a strong low just northeast of Sault Ste. Marie. West-northwest winds of 30 to 40 mph are driving intense, banded snow off Lake Michigan and Lake Superior into Antrim, Kalkaska, Crawford and surrounding counties.
The snow here is more focused and heavier than in the south. Ratios around 14 to 15 to 1 mean that light, fluffy snow piles up fast. Well-organized bands are pushing inland as far as Montmorency, Oscoda and Ogemaw counties. Under these bands, new accumulations of several inches are likely today, with localized higher amounts where bands stall.
Winter Storm Warnings and Winter Weather Advisories cover much of northwest and northeast Lower Michigan, while a Wind Advisory highlights the risk of blowing and drifting snow. The combination of heavy snow and 30 to 40 mph gusts will create periods of very low visibility and snow-covered roads, especially along the M-32, M-72 and US-131 corridors.
By Friday, the pressure gradient weakens and winds slowly ease. Snow showers will still drift across the region but with lower intensity and more patchy coverage, gradually retreating toward the tip of the mitt and the Lake Michigan shore. Additional Friday totals of up to 3 inches are possible in favored snow belts, while most other areas see lighter amounts.
Another system arrives late Saturday as a southern Plains low tracks toward Saginaw Bay. Current guidance suggests a quick-hitting band of synoptic snow with a couple of inches possible near the M-55 corridor and parts of northeast Lower. If the low tracks farther north, heavier snow could shift into more of northwest Lower Michigan, so residents should monitor updates.
Michigan lake effect snow keeps Upper Peninsula in blizzard conditions, gales and lakeshore flooding
The Upper Peninsula is digging out from a major winter storm even as lake effect snow continues today. Over the last 36 hours, large parts of the western U.P. have picked up a foot or more of snow, with some observers near Ironwood and Bessemer reporting nearly 2 feet or more. The Marquette area has seen more than a foot as well.
As the main low pulls toward Quebec, cold northwest to north-northwest flow keeps Michigan lake effect snow bands locked in over the traditional snow belts. The west half now sees lighter but still steady snow, while the east half remains under Blizzard Warnings and Winter Storm Warnings.
In Alger, Schoolcraft and Luce counties, strong bands linked to Lake Superior and Lake Nipigon are capable of producing more than 1 inch per hour, with blowing and drifting snow creating near-whiteout conditions at times. Additional totals of 6 to 12 inches are possible in parts of the eastern U.P. through tonight.
Along Lake Superior, Gale Warnings continue with northwest winds up to 45 knots and significant wave heights near 20 feet between Marquette and Munising. The combination of wind, waves and high water is causing minor lakeshore flooding and beach erosion along portions of the Keweenaw Peninsula and east of Marquette.
Farther west, Winter Weather Advisories are in effect for Gogebic, Ontonagon, Houghton, Baraga and Marquette counties as lighter lake effect bands persist. Another 2 to 6 inches of fluffy snow is possible, with Michigamme Highlands and other higher terrain seeing locally higher totals. Many communities are also dealing with power outages and downed branches after heavy, wet snow and high winds hit earlier in the storm.
By Friday, a weak ridge aloft and easing winds will gradually reduce lake effect to lighter snow or flurries, first in the west and later in the east. Temperatures across the U.P. remain well below normal, with highs struggling to reach the upper teens to lower 20s early next week.
Today’s Michigan lake effect snow forecast and short-term outlook by region
For southeast Michigan and the Thumb, expect scattered snow showers and flurries through this afternoon, with a dusting to 1 inch for most and 1 to 3 inches possible in narrow bands over the Thumb. Winds from the west at 30 to 35 mph will keep wind chills in the teens and low 20s. Tonight, snow diminishes and winds slowly ease. Friday and Saturday look quieter, with highs in the low to mid-30s before the weekend system brings broader snow Saturday night into Sunday.
In northern Lower Michigan, heavy banded lake effect snow continues today under strong northwest flow. Many snowbelt locations can expect several more inches by tonight, with localized higher totals where bands sit the longest. Travel will be hazardous with snow-covered roads and very low visibility. On Friday, winds weaken and snow bands slowly break apart and shift north, leaving lighter, more scattered snow. Skies partially clear Friday night with lows dropping into the teens, setting the stage for another round of accumulating snow late Saturday into Sunday as the Plains low moves toward Saginaw Bay.
Across the Upper Peninsula, the strongest snow today focuses on the eastern half, where heavy lake-effect bands may still produce 1+ inch per hour bursts and add 6 to 12 inches in spots. The western U.P. will see lighter but persistent snow, adding 2 to 6 inches on top of deep existing snowpack. Gale-force winds on Lake Superior ease below storm strength by tonight and drop below gales Friday morning. For the next several days, highs remain in the teens and low 20s, with short breaks between weaker waves of snow.
Overall, Michigan lake effect snow will remain a key driver of hazardous travel and bitter cold through Friday, followed by a broader, more organized snow event late Saturday into Sunday across much of the state.
Hazardous Weather Changes Fast – Stay Updated
Weather Watches, Warnings, and Advisories are frequently updated by the NWS. Please look for updates to this report from the National Weather Service, your local news channels, and NOAA All Hazards radio.
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