A strong low pressure system moving across the Upper Great Lakes and a push of Arctic air behind this system generated moderate to heavy lake effect snow over the west to northwest snow belts of Lake Superior from the 5th into the 9th. Strong and gusty winds also led to considerable blowing and drifting of snow as well.
Every event with a place to put it; 14 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.
Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.
The episode as NWS MQT wrote it up.
A strong low pressure system moving across the Upper Great Lakes and a push of Arctic air behind this system generated moderate to heavy lake effect snow over the west to northwest snow belts of Lake Superior from the 5th into the 9th. Strong and gusty winds also led to considerable blowing and drifting of snow as well.
The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.
NWS Marquette, MI wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Dec 4, 10:52 PM CST, 1 hour 8 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Marquette MI
1152 PM EST Mon Dec 4 2017
.SHORT TERM...(This evening through Tuesday)
Issued at 211 PM EST MON DEC 4 2017
Upper air pattern consists of a 500 mb trough moving into the plains
this morning with a strong shortwave in western Nebraska. This
strong shortwave becomes negatively tilted tonight as it moves into
the upper Great Lakes before forming a closed low between James Bay
and Lake Superior 00z Wed. Cold air will be coming in tonight and
there will be a rapid transition from rain to snow with this which
is already handled in the forecast. Going forecast has things well
in hand and did not make too many changes to the going forecast as
changes will be happening quickly overnight for dropping
temperatures and rain to snow will occur rapidly as well.
Temperatures will be falling on Tuesday. Winds look to be slightly
weaker with this forecast, but they stay up longer as well. Will
keep headlines going with little change.
.LONG TERM...(Tuesday night through Monday)
Issued at 332 PM EST MON DEC 4 2017
As a highly amplified ridge/trough pattern remains anchored across
the CONUS into next week, we will see persistent cold air advection
keeping temperatures below normal for this time of year. This
lingering cold air will allow the highly advertised lake effect snow
to linger across the snow belts through the middle/end of the week.
As a clipper system digs south across the region towards the end of
the week/early this weekend we should see chance for snow increase
across the entire U.P., along with lake enhancement in the north
wind snow belts.
Tuesday night through Wednesday: Overall, things look to be a bit
slower and delayed. As a result, lakeshore flooding across the west
half of the Keweenaw is expected to linger into Wednesday morning.
Also, it looks like the lake effect snow showers will linger a bit
longer in the west wind snow belts Tuesday night before gradually
transitioning over to the northwest wind belts by Wednesday
afternoon. Forecast soundings are showing ample depth and lift
through the DGZ, with an isothermal later around -18 to -20C across
the west. Therefore, while snow should be very fluffy expect
snowfall to be very efficient at times. The combination of lingering
breezy winds and falling snow be result in lower visibilities at
times. Did opt to issue a winter weather advisory for Ontonagon and
Gogebic counties; however, this time period will need to be
monitored closely for potential upgrades to a winter storm warning
if expected snow accumulations further increase than what is currently
reflected in the forecast. As the lake effect snow transitions to
the northwest wind snow belts through Wednesday, expect snow showers
to make it onshore east of Marquette and then across the higher
terrain across the north central. Accumulating and blowing snow east
of Marquette on Wednesday afternoon may require the issuance of a
winter weather advisory as we get closer.
Wednesday night through Friday: Increasing subsidence and height
rises as we get on the back side of the vigorous upper-level trough
should allow lingering lake effect snow to weaken, if not diminish in
some locations across the northwest wind snow belts by Thursday.
However, late Thursday night through Friday a potent shortwave
embedded within the main longwave trough will rapidly dig south
across the Upper Great Lakes. This will favor widespread chances for
snow across Upper Michigan and lake enhanced snow across the north
wind belts on Friday.
Saturday through early next week: Model solutions diverge in the
upper air pattern through early next week, so confidence is not high
in regards to the timing and potential impacts from additional snow.
However, it does look like there will be additional periods of lake
effect snow during this time period. There may be another shot for
system snow early next week as additional shortwaves are progged to
dig south across the region.
&&
.AVIATION...(For the 06Z TAFS through 06Z Tuesday night)
Issued at 1152 PM EST MON DEC 4 2017
Low cigs/vsby will prevail with pcpn providing abundant low level
moisture. Rain may transition over to drizzle overnight as a dryslot
slides into the area, mainly impacting the KSAW TAF site. A cold
front moving through late tonight behind a deep low pressure system
will bring in very gusty sw to wsw winds along with a changeover
from rain to snow over the west. CMX will have very low vsby with
blsn on Tue. IWD may see lowered visibilities with any blowing snow
overnight tonight as heavier snow slides through the TAF site,
mainly through 12Z. The blowing snow may continue to cause reduced
visibility into Tuesday morning at IWD; however, snowfall intensity
will decrease during the day. KSAW should mainly stay out of any
snowfall.
&&
.MARINE...(For the 4 PM Lake Superior forecast issuance)
Issued at 211 PM EST MON DEC 4 2017
A strong low pressure system over central Minnesota will rapidly
deepen as it moves across or near western Lake Superior tonight and
will bring storm force winds tonight into Tuesday evening. Gales
will then continue from late Tue into Wed night before diminishing.
Winds below gales are then expected through Sat.
&&
.MQT WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
Upper Michigan...
Wind Advisory until 8 PM EST /7 PM CST/ Tuesday for MIZ002-004-
005-009>014-084.
Winter Storm Warning from 5 AM Tuesday to 5 AM EST Wednesday for
MIZ001-003.
Lakeshore Flood Advisory from 5 AM Tuesday to 8 AM EST Wednesday
for MIZ001>003.
Winter Weather Advisory from midnight Tuesday night to 6 PM CST
Wednesday for MIZ009.
Lakeshore Flood Advisory until 5 PM EST Tuesday for MIZ014.
Winter Weather Advisory from 4 PM Tuesday to 7 PM EST Wednesday
for MIZ002.
Lake Superior...
Storm Warning from 4 AM to 11 PM EST Tuesday for LSZ266-267.
Storm Warning until 11 PM EST /10 PM CST/ Tuesday for LSZ240>248-
263>265.
Gale Warning until 8 AM EST Wednesday for LSZ249>251.
Storm Warning until 9 PM EST /8 PM CST/ Tuesday for LSZ162.
Lake Michigan...
Gale Warning until 7 AM EST Wednesday for LMZ221-248-250.
&&
SHORT TERM...07
LONG TERM...Ritzman
AVIATION...KEC
MARINE...07Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Marquette MI 421 PM EST Mon Dec 4 2017 MIZ001-003-052130- Keweenaw-Northern Houghton- 421 PM EST Mon Dec 4 2017 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of western Upper Michigan. .DAY ONE...Tonight Isolated thunderstorms are expected tonight. Strong west winds up to 60 mph late tonight may lead to downed tree limbs and power outages. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday Strong west winds of 50 to 60 mph will be possible through the day on Tuesday. These strong winds will also result in large waves on the western shoreline of the Keweenaw Peninsula which will lead to beach erosion and lakeshore flooding Tuesday and Tuesday night. See the latest winter weather message and and lakeshore hazard message for complete details. Moderate to heavy lake effect snow and blowing snow Tuesday through Wednesday will create hazardous driving conditions. Blizzard conditions are possible on the Keweenaw Peninsula Tuesday afternoon into early Wednesday. See the latest winter weather message for details. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Weather spotters are encouraged to submit reports of wind damage, snowfall and low visibilities to the National Weather Service in Marquette. The public may also submit reports through our webpage or Facebook page or on Twitter. MIZ002-004>007-009>014-084-085-052130- Ontonagon-Baraga-Marquette-Alger-Luce-Gogebic-Iron-Dickinson- Menominee-Delta-Southern Schoolcraft-Southern Houghton- Northern Schoolcraft- 421 PM EST Mon Dec 4 2017 /321 PM CST Mon Dec 4 2017/ This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of western Upper Michigan and central Upper Michigan. .DAY ONE...Tonight Isolated thunderstorms are expected tonight. Strong west winds gusting to 55 mph are possible late tonight. Sporadic tree damage and power outages are possible. See the latest weather message for complete details. High waves and minor beach erosion are expected tonight into early Tuesday along the Lake Michigan beaches of Schoolcraft county. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday Strong gusty winds may linger through the day on Tuesday with gusts upwards of 50 mph. Sporadic tree damage and power outages are possible. See the weather message for details. Late Tuesday through Wednesday moderate to heavy lake effect snow will develop in the west to northwest wind snow belts. The combination of gusty winds and accumulating snow will make for difficult travel across the far west Tuesday afternoon through Wednesday. See the latest winter weather message for complete details. East of Marquette, moderate lake effect snow is possible late Wednesday and may make for difficult travel at times. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Weather spotters are encouraged to submit reports of wind damage, to the National Weather Service in Marquette. The public may also submit reports through our webpage or Facebook page or on Twitter. LSZ162-240>251-263>267-052130- Lake Superior west of a line from Saxon Harbor WI to Grand Portage MN beyond 5NM-Saxon Harbor WI to Black River MI- Black River to Ontonagon MI- Ontonagon to Upper Entrance of Portage Canal MI- Upper Entrance of Portage Canal to Eagle River MI- Eagle River to Manitou Island MI- Manitou Island to Point Isabelle MI- Point Isabelle to Lower Entrance of Portage Canal MI- Lower Entrance of Portage Canal To Huron Islands MI Including Keweenaw and Huron Bays-Huron Islands to Marquette MI- Marquette to Munising MI-Munising to Grand Marais MI- Grand Marais to Whitefish Point MI- Lake Superior from Saxon Harbor WI to Upper Entrance to Portage Canal MI 5NM off shore to the US/Canadian border including Isle Royale National Park- Lake Superior from Upper Entrance to Portage Canal to Manitou Island MI 5NM off shore to the US/Canadian Border- Lake Superior West of Line from Manitou Island to Marquette MI Beyond 5NM from shore- Lake Superior East of a line from Manitou Island to Marquette MI and West of a line from Grand Marais MI to the US/Canadian Border Beyond 5NM from shore- Lake Superior from Grand Marais MI to Whitefish Point MI 5NM off shore to the US/Canadian border- 421 PM EST Mon Dec 4 2017 /321 PM CST Mon Dec 4 2017/ This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of Eastern Lake Superior...Central Lake Superior and Western Lake Superior. .DAY ONE...Tonight West to southwest storm force winds to 50 knots are expected late tonight. See the latest marine weather message for details. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday Westerly storm force winds of 50 to 55 knots are expected over most of Lake Superior Tuesday and Tuesday night. West to northwest gales to 40 knots will continue on Lake Superior Wednesday into Wednesday night. See the latest marine weather message for details. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... The need for weather spotter reports is not anticipated at this time. LMZ221-248-250-052130- Green Bay North of line from Cedar River MI to Rock Island Passage-Seul Choix Point to Point Detour MI- 5NM East of a line from Fairport MI to Rock Island Passage- 421 PM EST Mon Dec 4 2017 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of Northern Lake Michigan. .DAY ONE...Tonight South gales to 40 knots will shift to southwest gales to 45 knots late tonight. See the latest marine message and nearshore forecast for further details. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday Southwest to west gales of 45 knots Tuesday will diminish below gales by early Wednesday morning. See the latest marine message and nearshore forecast for further details. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... The need for weather spotter reports is not anticipated at this time. Ritzman
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Marquette MI
946 PM EST MON DEC 4 2017
MIZ005-006-050315-
Marquette MI-Alger MI-
946 PM EST MON DEC 4 2017
...SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT...
At 946 PM EST, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Gwinn, or 21 miles southeast of Ishpeming, moving northeast at 50
mph.
Pea size hail will be possible with this storm along with heavy
downpours.
Locations impacted include...
K. I. Sawyer Airport, Deerton, K I Sawyer, Gwinn, Skandia, Shot
Point, Laughing Whitefish Falls, Beaver Grove, Sundell, Anderson
Lake, Little Lake and Carlshend.
LAT...LON 4622 8762 4624 8761 4655 8723 4643 8693
4612 8744
TIME...MOT...LOC 0246Z 228DEG 47KT 4623 8743
KECPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MARQUETTE MI
1000 PM EST MON DEC 4 2017
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0957 PM HAIL 3 NNE LITTLE LAKE 46.33N 87.33W
12/04/2017 E0.25 INCH MARQUETTE MI TRAINED SPOTTER
TRAINED SPOTTER REPORTED PEA SIZE HAIL NEAR
SKANDIA.
&&
KCWSpecial Weather Statement National Weather Service Marquette MI 1042 PM EST Mon Dec 4 2017 MIZ002-009-084-051300- Ontonagon-Gogebic-Southern Houghton- Including the cities of Ontonagon, Ironwood, Kenton, and Sidnaw 1042 PM EST Mon Dec 4 2017 /942 PM CST Mon Dec 4 2017/ ...RAIN TRANSITIONING TO SNOW TONIGHT AND IMPACTING THE MORNING COMMUTE... Rain will transition to snow after midnight across the western Upper Peninsula and fall moderate to heavy at times through the early morning hours. Snowfall totals of 2 to 4 inches can be expected by sunrise Tuesday morning. The snow will be heavy and wet, which will make for very slushy road conditions for the morning commute. Remember to allow extra time to reach your destination Tuesday morning as roads will likely become slush covered and slippery. KEC
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Marquette MI 1049 PM EST MON DEC 4 2017 MIZ006-013-085-050415- Northern Schoolcraft MI-Delta MI-Alger MI- 1049 PM EST MON DEC 4 2017 ...SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT... At 1048 PM EST, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near U.S. 41 between Trenary and Rapid River, or 19 miles north of Escanaba, moving northeast at 50 mph. Pea size hail and heavy downpours will be possible with this storm. Locations impacted include... Munising, Grand Island, Shingleton, Trenary, U.S. 41 between Trenary and Rapid River, Brampton, Maplewood, Christmas, Forest Lake, Perkins, Round Lake and Wetmore. LAT...LON 4590 8707 4599 8722 4652 8669 4632 8627 TIME...MOT...LOC 0348Z 222DEG 50KT 4603 8701 KEC
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MARQUETTE MI
1050 PM EST MON DEC 4 2017
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1030 PM HAIL 3 NNW IRON MOUNTAIN 45.87N 88.07W
12/04/2017 E0.25 INCH DICKINSON MI PUBLIC
PEA SIZE HAIL REPORTED NEAR IRON MOUNTAIN
VIA SOCIAL MEDIA.
&&
KCWPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MARQUETTE MI
1134 PM EST MON DEC 4 2017
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1045 PM HAIL PERKINS 45.98N 87.07W
12/04/2017 E0.25 INCH DELTA MI PUBLIC
TIME ESTIMATED FROM RADAR. REPORT IS FROM
SOCIAL MEDIA.
&&
JLAThe national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
9 winter weather, 2 winter storm, 2 lake-effect snow, 1 high wind. Local standard time, as filed.
The observer at Ironwood measured six inches of lake effect snow in approximately seven hours. West winds gusting over 35 mph at times caused considerable blowing of snow reducing visibility to one half mile or less at times. In addition, multiple power outages were reported.
There was a public report of 8 to 10 inches of lake effect snow in approximately 19 hours in the Houghton/Hancock area. Strong winds gusting near 55 mph caused considerable blowing and drifting of snow with whiteout conditions at times. Drifts of three to four feet were reported in some areas. Observers in Painesdale and Allouez reported nine inches of lake effect snow in roughly 27 hours along with considerable blowing and drifting of snow.
There was a public report of an estimated eight inches of lake effect snow in 18 hours at Ontonagon. The report was from the WLUC-TV6 social media page. The MDOT RWIS site in Ontonagon measured a 59 mph wind gust on the morning of the 5th. In addition, several power outages were reported.
The observer in Allouez reported nine inches of lake effect snow in roughly 27 hours. Strong winds gusting near 55 mph caused considerable blowing and drifting of snow with whiteout conditions at times. Drifts of three to four feet were reported in some areas. In addition, multiple power outages were reported.
There was a report of ten inches of lake effect snow in 36 hours at Keweenaw Bay.
The spotter in Laurium reported one large tree down along US-41 in Calumet and two large trees down on Pewabic Street in Laurium. Each tree was about two feet in diameter, and one of them landed on a house. The spotter in Freda also measured wind gusts near 60 mph earlier in the afternoon with power outages.
The observer in Painesdale measured 6.3 inches of lake effect snow in 24 hours. Northwest winds gusting over 30 mph reduced visibility to one half mile at times in snow and blowing snow.
Observers in Newberry and seven miles south of Pine Stump Junction measured nine inches of lake effect snow in approximately 15 hours. There was also a public report of 5 to 6 inches of lake effect snow in 12 hours near McMillan. Strong gusty winds resulted in multiple power outages.
There was a public report of 6 to 8 inches of lake effect snow in 12 hours at Munising. Local law enforcement reported hazardous snow covered roads. Strong gusty winds resulted in blowing snow and several power outages.
There was a report of 12 inches of lake effect snow in 12 hours at Seney. Duration of the event was estimated via radar. Strong gusty winds resulted in blowing snow and several power outages.
There were reports of seven to nine inches of lake effect snow in 24 hours from Redridge through Painesdale to Chassell. There was a isolated report of 13 inches of lake effect snow in 24 hours near Allouez.
There was a report of four inches of lake effect snow in 12 hours at Keweenaw Bay.
There was a report from social media of an estimated ten inches of lake effect snow in ten hours at Newberry.
The observer in Munising measured 11 inches of lake effect snow in 24 hours.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Michigan in 2017Every state in 2017This day in weather historyWarnings in Michigan, December 2017
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 729281, 728927, 728928, 729409, 728929, 728926, 729287, 728932, 728931, 729280, 729406, 729405, 729407, 729408.