Blizzard — Marquette, Michigan

2025-03-04 to 2025-03-06 · Marquette, Michigan

Event narrative

The Marquette Sawyer Regional Airport AWOS station KSAW reported 1/4 mile or less visibility from 0847 to 1847EST on the 5th and reported wind gusts in excess of 30 kt from 0947EST to 2238EST on the 5th. At the Marquette WFO in Negaunee township, a light glaze of ice was observed at around 1915EST on the 4th with a mix of light freezing rain, snow, and freezing fog that evening. At 1648EST on the 5th, the Marquette Coast Guard NOS Water Level Observation Network Station MCGM4 reported a peak wind gust of 62 mph. By the morning hours of the 6th, a number of storm total snow reports across the county ranged from 8 to 22 inches. Key impacts: Vehicle accidents, travel delays, business closures, government building closures, church closures, power outages, flight cancellations.

Wider weather episode

Strong winter storm lifted through the Great Lakes Monday March 4 through Thursday morning. This produced freezing rain, rain, and then widespread heavy, wet snow, strong winds, and blizzard conditions. Widespread 6 to 24 inches of snow was observed across Upper Michigan as well as 35 to 50 mph winds. Highest storm total snow reported was 24 inches 2 miles from WFO Marquette and the highest wind observed was 62 mph at the Marquette Coast Guard Station. WFO Marquette's storm total snow was 22.7 inches. The office also set records for daily maximum QPF at 2.55 inches and daily snowfall 20.8 inches for March 5th. Blizzard conditions were observed for nearly 12 hours at Marquette Sawyer Regional Airport (KSAW). Widespread impacts occurred including: all flights canceled at KSAW, a local TV station canceled their evening broadcast because staff could not get into their station; schools, businesses, ski resorts, churches, public services, and local government buildings were closed Wednesday and Thursday; multiple minor traffic incidents also occurred, including jack-knifed 18 wheelers that resulted in temporary road closures; approximately 5000 power outages occurred, but were resolved quickly. Multiple police and local governments were advising people to stay off the roads due to impossible road conditions.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1244656. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.