A rapidly deepening storm system moving from the Plains into Lower Michigan dumped heavy lake enhanced snow across much of Upper Michigan from the 12th into the 13th.
Every event with a place to put it; 13 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 rapidly deepening storm system moving from the Plains into Lower Michigan dumped heavy lake enhanced snow across much of Upper Michigan from the 12th into the 13th.
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 Feb 11, 10:29 PM CST, 5 hours 31 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Marquette MI
1129 PM EST Mon Feb 11 2019
.SHORT TERM...(This evening through Tuesday)
Issued at 410 PM EST MON FEB 11 2019
WV imagery and RAP analysis indicated a developing mid/upper level
trough into the western plains. A vigorous shortwave was located
over northeast NM with another shrtwv into MT. At the surface,
east winds were increasing through the western Great Lakes between
1033 mb high pressure over nrn Ontario/Quebec and 1002 mb low
pressure over the TX/OK panhandle. Low clouds and a few flurries
persisted over Upper Michigan with low level moisture lingering
under the 3k ft inversion.
Tonight, expect easterly winds to produce a few flurries this
evening over central Upper Michigan. Otherwise, clouds will thicken
late tonight with snow at the leading edge of the storm system
moving into the south toward 12Z.
Tuesday, Although there had been some variability with how the
models have handled the QPF/snow into Upper Michigan, the winter
storm scenario remains largely on track. The plains shortwaves
are expected to phase with a negative tilt mid level trough
through the Upper Mississippi Valley and a deepening sfc low
moving into se lower Michigan. Strong 285k-295 isentropic lift
moves into the region with 2-3 g/Kg available and strong 700-300
mb qvector conv will support moderate to heavy snow spreading from
the southern Upper Michigan into the north by midday. Although
the timing may be slightly slower than previous forecasts, no
adjustments were made to headline starting times. Snowfall
amounts were notched slightly lower, in line with model trends
with overall amounts still generally in the 5 to 9 inch range (QPF
into the 0.45-0.70 inch range) into Tuesday night. Locally higher
amounts are expected north central where upslope/lake enhancement
occurs.
.LONG TERM...(Tuesday night through Monday)
Issued at 329 PM EST MON FEB 11 2019
Widespread precip will be winding down and transitioning to NW wind
LES Tue night. Lake enhanced and upslope precip from initially NE
winds Tue night will lead to the most significant snowfall amounts
over the N-central, with additional amounts of 4-6" in that area.
Elsewhere, Tue night will bring 1-3" in the N-NW wind snow belts,
with an inch or less elsewhere. 1-3" of additional snow is expected
in the NW wind snow belts E of Marquette on Wed, with ice coverage
over the western lake limiting accumulations out W. Winds will remain
gusty into Wed, leading to blowing snow in areas exposed to NE
winds initially, the transitioning to NW wind prone areas.
Through the rest of the long term, conditions are seasonal with
chances for some snow at times, but no significantly impactful
events expected. Highs will be in the teens and 20s with lows in the
single digits and teens.
&&
.AVIATION...(For the 06Z TAFS through 06Z Tuesday night)
Issued at 1129 PM EST MON FEB 11 2019
Deteriorating conditions will occur this forecast period at all
sites as light snow moves in by morning, first at IWD, then SAW and
last at CMX. WHen the snow becomes heavier in the afternoon, LIFR
conditions will occur at all sites and remain that way through Tue
evening.
&&
.MARINE...(For the 4 PM Lake Superior forecast issuance)
Issued at 410 PM EST MON FEB 11 2019
A low pres system lifting from the southern Plains tonight into the
Great Lakes region on Tue will likely result in east-northeast gales
to 35 knots on Tue across much of the east half of the lake and
perhaps over the west too. Northwest gales to 35 knots may be
possible on Wed over the east half as well. Otherwise, periods of
heavy freezing spray are expected into next week.
&&
.MQT WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
Upper Michigan...
Winter Storm Warning from 9 AM Tuesday to 7 AM EST Wednesday for
MIZ004-005.
Winter Storm Warning from 7 AM EST /6 AM CST/ Tuesday to 7 AM
EST /6 AM CST/ Wednesday for MIZ002-009-084.
Winter Weather Advisory from 10 AM Tuesday to 7 AM EST Wednesday
for MIZ001-003.
Winter Storm Warning from 7 AM EST /6 AM CST/ Tuesday to 1 AM
EST /midnight CST/ Wednesday for MIZ010>013.
Winter Storm Warning from 10 AM Tuesday to 7 AM EST Wednesday
for MIZ006-007-014-085.
Lake Superior...
Heavy Freezing Spray Warning until 7 PM EST Wednesday for
LSZ249>251-266-267.
Gale Warning from 7 AM to 10 PM EST Tuesday for LSZ249>251-266-
267.
Lake Michigan...
None.
&&
SHORT TERM...JLB
LONG TERM...Titus
AVIATION...07
MARINE...JLBHazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Marquette MI 359 PM EST Mon Feb 11 2019 MIZ001>007-009>014-084-085-122100- Keweenaw-Ontonagon-Northern Houghton-Baraga-Marquette-Alger-Luce- Gogebic-Iron-Dickinson-Menominee-Delta-Southern Schoolcraft- Southern Houghton-Northern Schoolcraft- 359 PM EST Mon Feb 11 2019 /259 PM CST Mon Feb 11 2019/ This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of western Upper Michigan and central Upper Michigan. .DAY ONE...Tonight No hazardous weather is expected at this time. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday Moderate to heavy snow is expected across Upper Michigan Tuesday into Tuesday night as a low pressure system tracks northeast into the Great Lakes region. See the latest winter weather message for complete details. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... The need for weather spotter reports is not anticipated at this time. LSZ162-240>251-263>267-122100- 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- 359 PM EST Mon Feb 11 2019 /259 PM CST Mon Feb 11 2019/ This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of Eastern Lake Superior...Central Lake Superior and Western Lake Superior. .DAY ONE...Tonight No hazardous weather is expected at this time. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday East to northeast gale force gusts to 35 knots are possible on Tuesday. Northwest gale force gusts to 35 knots are possible over the east half of Lake Superior on Wednesday. Heavy freezing spray is expected at times. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... The need for weather spotter reports is not anticipated at this time. LMZ221-248-250-122100- 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- 359 PM EST Mon Feb 11 2019 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of Northern Lake Michigan. .DAY ONE...Tonight See the Lake Michigan forecast for details on any hazardous weather. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Tuesday through Sunday See the Lake Michigan forecast for details on any hazardous weather. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... The need for weather spotter reports is not anticipated at this time. Titus
The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
13 winter storm. Local standard time, as filed.
There was a public report of an estimated 10-12 inches of snow over a 20-hour period near Stephenson. Northeast winds gusting over 30 mph at times also caused impressive drifting of the snow. Most area schools were closed on both the 12th and the 13th due to storm impacts.
Observers from Escanaba to Garden Corners measured a fairly widespread 10 to 13 inches of storm total snow. Schools were closed on the 12th and 13th due to the heavy snow.
The observer at Bergland Dam measured 12 inches of snow in 24 hours. Classes were delayed two hours for schools throughout the county on the 13th.
Storm total snowfall amounts ranged from 10 inches near Watersmeet to 13 inches at Ironwood. Watersmeet Schools were closed on the 12th and delayed two hours on the 13th due to the storm.
Observers at Stambaugh and Amasa measured eight and nine inches of storm total snow respectively in approximately 15 hours. Area schools were closed on the 12th and delayed two to three hours on the 13th due to the heavy snow.
The observer north of Iron Mountain measured 10.4 inches of snow in approximately 15 hours. Most schools were closed on the 12th and delayed two hours on the 13th due to effects of the storm.
Three Lakes observers measured storm total snowfall between 9 and 15 inches. Schools throughout the county dismissed early on the 12th and were delayed two hours on the 13th.
Storm total snowfall across the county ranged from 16 inches in Marquette to nearly 26 inches in Negaunee, including the NWS Marquette office, with one to two inch per hour snowfall rates observed during the event. Calendar day snowfall records were broken on both the 12th and 13th at the NWS Marquette office and a daily precipitation record of 1.30 inches was set on the 12th. Area schools were closed on both the 12th and the 13th due to the heavy snow, and Northern Michigan University was closed on the 13th.
There was a public report of nearly 12 inches at Kenton in less than 18 hours. Most schools were closed on the 12th and delayed two hours on the 13th due to effects from the storm.
The observer in Munising measured 12 inches of snow in less than 24 hours. Schools were closed or dismissed early on the 12th in advance of the storm and remained closed on the 13th due to impacts from the heavy snow.
There was a social media report of seven inches of snow in less than 12 hours at Dollarville.
A spotter near Garden Corners measured ten inches of snow in less than 24 hours. Most schools were closed on the 12th and delayed two hours on the 13th due to effects from the storm.
An estimated six to eight inches of snow fell in approximately 12 hours over the county. Gusty winds near 30 mph at times also caused considerable blowing and drifting of snow.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Michigan in 2019Every state in 2019This day in weather historyWarnings in Michigan, February 2019
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: 807384, 807387, 807336, 807374, 807378, 807381, 807338, 807343, 807392, 807347, 807362, 807389, 807396.