Blizzard — Northern Houghton, Michigan

2025-03-04 to 2025-03-06 · Northern Houghton, Michigan

Event narrative

The Houghton County Memorial Airport ASOS KCMX reported 1/4 mile visibility or lower from 1215 to 1908EST on the 5th, with wind gusts ranging from 35 to 50 mph. Winds at the GLOS Weather Station PCLM4 Portage Canal were above 35 mph from about 1030 to around 2100EST. Peak winds at KCMX were 51 mph at 1844EST. Storm total snowfall around the zone ranged from 10 to 20 inches, highest at the CoCoRaHS site MI-HG-26 Twin Lakes of 20.3 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 1245177. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.