Winter Weather — Marquette, Michigan

2018-02-20 · Marquette, Michigan

Event narrative

The National Weather Service in Negaunee Township measured one-tenth of an inch of ice accumulation in six hours. The observer in Harvey measured two-tenths of an inch of ice accumulation during the event. A mix of snow and ice accumulation made area roads slippery. Schools and a few businesses were closed throughout the county on the 20th.

A fatal two-car accident which occurred at approximately 7:55 am closed Highway M-553 in Sands Township for nearly three hours. An 18-year-old male driver from Fennville was driving southbound on M-553 when he lost control of his vehicle and collided with a northbound minivan driven by a 41-year-old male from Gwinn. An 18-year old male passenger from Norway in the southbound car was declared dead at the scene of the accident. Michigan State troopers were assisted at the scene by Forsyth Township Fire/EMS, Sands Township Fire/EMS, Marquette County Rescue Unit 131, the Marquette County Sheriff's Office and UPHS EMS.

Wider weather episode

A band of moderate to heavy snow moved across western Upper Michigan on the 19th, and a mix of moderate snow and freezing rain impacted central Upper Michigan from the evening of the 19th into the morning of the 20th.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 737304. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.