Blizzard — Baraga, Michigan

2025-11-26 · Baraga, Michigan

Event narrative

Heavy snowfall totaling 1 to 2.5 feet along with winds gusting 40 to 60 miles per hour resulted in blizzard conditions. Fifty-three percent of customers (around 1,400) lost power across the county. Non-essential travel was discouraged by area officials. Key impacts: transportation delays, traffic accidents, power outages, downed trees and wires, business closures.

Wider weather episode

A strong low pressure system brought high wind and heavy snow to portions of the Upper Midwest and Great Lakes, significantly impacting travel during Thanksgiving week. Snowfall totals in the western and central UP ranged from 1 to 3 feet, and wind gusts of 40 to 60 mph caused blizzard conditions. The wind combined with initially wet snow stuck to trees resulted in downed trees and wires, causing around 14,000 customers in the western and central UP to lose power, some for as long as 30 hours. Several warming shelters opened for residents who lost power. Area snowmobile trails experienced severe damage due to downed trees, resulting in negative economic impact to area businesses. Non-essential travel was discouraged in portions of the western UP, and there were several reports of cars sliding off the roads. Lake effect snow continued into the Thanksgiving weekend.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1302057. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.