Winter Storm — Eastern Mackinac County, Michigan

2026-01-22 to 2026-01-24 · Eastern Mackinac County, Michigan

Event narrative

Emergency Manager reported US-2 was closed between St. Ignace and Brevort, with significant blowing and drifting along with lake effect snow, resulting in multiple accidents and impassible roadways. Photos from US-2 cleanup show drifts as deep or deeper than the implements used to clear the roadway. Roadway reopened 637pm January 25th. Wind chills as low as -25F were reported in the area.

Wider weather episode

Anomalous cold air settled into the eastern US for late January, with the coldest period for the Upper Great Lakes from the night of Jan 22nd through the morning of the 24th. Actual air temperatures struggling to break 0 degrees Fahrenheit, combined with winds gusting as high as 15-25mph at times, resulted in extreme cold apparent temperatures of -15 to -25F, and -25 to -35F during the overnight hours on the 22nd into the 23rd, and the 23rd into the 24th. The 23rd into the 24th was the coldest of the two nights. Strong gusty winds and some snowfall resulted in significant blowing and drifting snow, reducing visibilities to whiteout conditions at times.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1317338. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.