Winter Storm — Central Chippewa County, Michigan

2025-12-28 to 2025-12-29 · Central Chippewa County, Michigan

Event narrative

Chippewa County Sheriff's office shared image of whiteout conditions near Rudyard around 14:00, urging people to stay off the roads. Chippewa County International Airport, KCIU, reported persistent 1/4 mi visibilities and wind gusts of 35mph or greater between 10:00 and 16:00. Snowfall totals ranged from 12-16 inches; cooperative observer 3miles NE of Pickford, MI reported 12.5 inches of snow with 0.10 inch of ice. Winds of 45-60mph were reported, with a gust as high as 72mph measured at the S.W. Pier buoy on the northern entrance to the Soo Locks at 04:42.

Wider weather episode

Very strong low pressure system crossed northern Michigan during the overnight hours on the 28th into the 29th. Somewhat milder air ahead of the low led to some areas of rain/freezing rain during the overnight hours, before transitioning to snow as much colder air rushed into the region behind a cold front. Highest snowfall totals ranged from 8-10 inches across NW lower Michigan to nearly 2 feet across western Chippewa and Mackinac counties. Sustained winds of 20-30mph were accompanied by widespread wind gusts of 40-50mph'including some stronger wind gusts to around 60-70mph early in the morning. Synoptic moisture departed through the afternoon and snowfall tapered off to NW lake effect bands through the afternoon as winds slowly diminished.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1310180. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.