Blizzard and Winter Storm in Michigan, February 23 to 25, 2019

Name: Blizzard and Winter Storm in Michigan, February 23 to 25, 2019
Start: 2019-02-23T22:00
End: 2019-02-25T07:00
Location: Michigan

February 23 to 25, 2019 · NWS MQT · 26 events in 15 counties and zones

A powerful bomb cyclone developing over the Central Plains and moving into the Great Lakes region produced heavy snow and blizzard conditions across much of the Upper Michigan from the 24th into early on the 25th. The accumulated heavy snow from this event and storms earlier in the month caused roof collapses of numerous businesses and a few farm buildings as well across portions of Upper…

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 26 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.

Tornadoes
Tropical storms and surge
Floods
Wind
Hail
Winter weather
Heat and drought
Cold
Fire, smoke and dust
Marine and coastal
Other

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths: 0
Injuries: 0
Property damage: $1.2 million
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 26

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.

What happened

The episode as NWS MQT wrote it up.

What forecasters said that day

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 23, 4:44 PM CST, 5 hours 16 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Feb 23, 4:44 PM CST, 5 hours 16 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Marquette MI
544 PM EST Sat Feb 23 2019

.SHORT TERM...(This evening through Sunday)
Issued at 401 PM EST SAT FEB 23 2019

...HIGH IMPACT WINTER STORM TO AFFECT THE REGION TONIGHT THROUGH
SUNDAY...

Water vapor imagery and sfc obs show a strong negatively-tilted
shortwave trough and associated sfc low (near 998 mb) over eastern
KS which is expected to lift ne and reach the Upper Great Lakes late
tonight/early Sunday. Models have been in pretty good agreement with
general track/strength of storm system the last several runs, with
the exception of the NAM which has been consistently farther west
with mid-upper level low than rest of models. Strong negatively-
tilted shortwave trough and associated sfc low will continue to lift
up from the Central Plains with the sfc low reaching near Manistique
in Upper MI by 12Z Sun while deepening to near 979 mb! The low keeps
a quick pace and continues to bomb out as it lifts into northern
Quebec at around 970 mb by late Sun evening. Models have been fairly
consistent with the placement and amounts of precip and the strength
of the system, again with the exception of the farther west
solutions of the NAM. Biggest forecast concern tonight with the
system will be determining where exactly the system's dry slot will
be moving into central and eastern sections of U.P late tonight
night/early Sun which will likely cut into mixed pcpn/snow amounts
for these areas. Again, 12Z NAM appears to bring dry slot farther
west than model consensus which could potential cut into snow
amounts for perhaps Dickinson/eastern Marquette counties.

Expect a lull in pcpn activity this evening as snow which prompted
the advisory has generally weakened and exited to the east. As a
result cancelled the advisory although there could be patchy light
freezing drizzle/light snow at times into early evening. Biggest
impacts from system will be late tonight into Sunday.

Main hazards are very heavy snowfall (especially over the NW half),
a snow/sleet/freezing rain combo SE, and strong winds (especially
near Lake Superior) developing on Sunday. Heavier synoptic pcpn
moves in from the south by late Sat evening and largely exits by
midday Sunday with nw flow lake effect snow remaining thereafter.
Forecast hasn't changed much from the mid shift. A general
widespread 10-15 inches of storm total snow is expected generally
west of line from Negaunee to Crystal Falls, much of which falls
between 06Z and 18Z Sun. Snow will be wet and heavy. Over the SE
half where dry slot and mixed pcpn will cut into accums, 2-8 inches
of snow (least along Lake Mi and Bay of Green Bay) is expected along
with sleet and freezing rain accumulations, which are less certain
due to effects of potential dry slotting later tonight. Up to one
quarter inch of ice accumulation is possible over the far se and
eastern portion of the cwa. NW winds increase dramatically on Sun
when the system bombs out and continues to quickly lift NE.
Currently forecasting NW gusts to 60mph over east half of Lake
Superior and shoreline areas east of Marquette, with gusts of 40-
50mph elsewhere, but could end up higher given the impressive
strength of the system. Blowing/drifting snow and power outages will
be primary impacts from the wind. Considerable blowing snow near
Lake Superior E of Harvey and across the Keweenaw will likely lead
to blizzard conditions at times and impossible travel Sun afternoon
into Sun night. Certainly possible winter storm warning may need to
transition to a blizzard warning for Alger-Luce-northern Schoolcraft
and across the Keweenaw on Sunday.

.LONG TERM...(Sunday night through Saturday)
Issued at 227 PM EST SAT FEB 23 2019

As synoptically-driven snow winds down Sunday night, lake-effect
snow showers will pick up on the backside of this well-advertised
low pressure system exiting the region. Models all generally
agree of the placement of the low, which should be in Northern
Ontario by the start of this forecast period. There are some very
minor disagreements on the strength of the low, but all generally
agree of it reaching below 975mb by tomorrow night. With the low
still being in such close proximity to Upper Michigan, NW winds
will remain elevated through at least midday Monday, especially
in the eastern portions of the U.P. As the day progresses, look
for the NW winds to become more westerly, yielding the LES to
shift with it. Look for high pressure to briefly move into the
region on Tuesday, allowing for a brief reprieve for many.

On the heels of this high, another shortwave rotates across the
Upper Great Lakes, although deterministic models start to diverge
significantly in their depicted solutions by this time period. That
said, there is some general agreement in another brief break from
the active weather on Thursday before a late week system approaches
and crosses the area.

Tomorrow night, temperatures will plummet into the single digits on
either side of the zero degree mark, with even colder overnight lows
expected Monday night into Tuesday morning (below zero nearly
everywhere). The well-below normal temps for late February into
early March will continue throughout this forecast period, with
highs on Monday struggling to get out of the single digits, then
teens and 20s for the remainder of the upcoming week.
&&

.AVIATION...(For the 00Z TAFS through 00Z Sunday evening)
Issued at 544 PM EST SAT FEB 23 2019

Conditions will deteriorate rapidly later this evening as heavy snow
is expected at all sites mainly after midnight as a strong/deepening
low pressure system tracks toward eastern Upper Michigan. For most
part, expect IFR conditions into this evening, with VLIFR vsby of
1/4 sm or less likely overnight tonight with the heavy snow. Poor
flying conditions will continue through Sun evening with very strong
northwest winds Sunday into Sunday evening. Wind gusts may exceed 40
kts at all sites by late Sunday morning/early afternoon due to the
powerful low pressure system. The strong winds will also result in
considerable blowing snow at all sites on Sunday with vsbys possibly
lingering into LIFR through 18Z.
&&

.MARINE...(For the 4 PM Lake Superior forecast issuance)
Issued at 401 PM EST SAT FEB 23 2019

Quiet through tonight with winds generally 25 or less knots.
Northerly gales expected Sunday morning across Lake Superior,
building to nw storms to 50-55 knots over the eastern half of the
lake Sunday afternoon and night. Gales subside over the western half
Sunday night and over the eastern half midday Monday. After that,
quiet conditions expected through the middle of next week with gusts
less than 20 knots over the western half and less than 25 knots over
the eastern half.
&&

.MQT WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
Upper Michigan...
  Winter Storm Warning from 10 PM EST /9 PM CST/ this evening to 1
     AM EST /midnight CST/ Monday for MIZ001>005-009-084.

  Winter Storm Warning from 10 PM this evening to 7 AM EST Monday
     for MIZ006-007-085.

  Winter Storm Warning from 10 PM EST /9 PM CST/ this evening to
     10 PM EST /9 PM CST/ Sunday for MIZ012>014.

  Winter Storm Warning from 9 PM this evening to 6 PM CST Sunday
     for MIZ010-011.

Lake Superior...
  Storm Warning from 10 AM Sunday to 4 AM EST Monday for
     LSZ249>251-266-267.

  Storm Warning from 10 AM to 10 PM EST Sunday for LSZ243>248-264-
     265.

  Gale Warning from 7 AM EST /6 AM CST/ Sunday to 1 AM EST
     /midnight CST/ Monday for LSZ162-240>242-263.

Lake Michigan...
None.
&&

SHORT TERM...Voss
LONG TERM...lg
AVIATION...07
MARINE...Voss

Hazardous weather outlook, Feb 23, 1:39 PM CST, 8 hours 21 minutes before

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Marquette MI
239 PM EST Sat Feb 23 2019

MIZ001>007-009>014-084-085-241945-
Keweenaw-Ontonagon-Northern Houghton-Baraga-Marquette-Alger-Luce-
Gogebic-Iron-Dickinson-Menominee-Delta-Southern Schoolcraft-
Southern Houghton-Northern Schoolcraft-
239 PM EST Sat Feb 23 2019 /139 PM CST Sat Feb 23 2019/

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of western Upper
Michigan and central Upper Michigan.

.DAY ONE...Rest of Today and Tonight

Snow today may mix with light freezing rain this afternoon and
evening. See the latest winter weather message for complete
details.

A strong winter storm will race into the Upper Great Lakes
tonight, bringing heavy snow across the northwest half and a
wintry mix to the east overnight. See the latest winter weather
message for complete details.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday

A strong winter storm will exit to the northeast of Upper Michigan
on Sunday. See the latest winter weather message for complete
details.

Waves will build to 15 to 20 feet Sunday afternoon into Sunday
night on the ice free waters of eastern Lake Superior from
Marquette to Whitefish Point. Minor lakeshore flooding is
possible in any areas not protected by substantial ice. An ice
shove is also possible for northwest facing shorelines that aren't
protected by substantial ice. Residents should avoid walking on
lakeshore ice as it is likely to move and shift with the expected
very strong winds.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotters are encouraged to submit snowfall and freezing rain
reports to the National Weather Service via phone, on our website,
or through Facebook or Twitter.

LSZ162-240>251-263>267-241945-
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-
239 PM EST Sat Feb 23 2019 /139 PM CST Sat Feb 23 2019/

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of Eastern Lake
Superior...Central Lake Superior and Western Lake Superior.

.DAY ONE...Rest of Today and Tonight

No hazardous weather is expected at this time.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday

Northwest gales are expected over the west half of Lake Superior
Sunday into Sunday evening. Storm force northwest winds up to 60
knots and heavy freezing spray are expected over the east half of
Lake Superior Sunday into Sunday night. See the latest marine
weather message and open lake forecast for further details.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

The need for weather spotter reports is not anticipated at this
time.

LMZ221-248-250-241945-
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-
239 PM EST Sat Feb 23 2019

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of Northern Lake
Michigan.

.DAY ONE...Rest of Today and Tonight

See the Lake Michigan forecast for details on any hazardous
weather.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday

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.

JAW

In the hours before

Local storm report, Feb 23, 6:06 PM CST, 3 hours 54 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MARQUETTE MI
706 PM EST SAT FEB 23 2019

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0700 PM     SNOW             5 SW NATIONAL MINE      46.41N 87.76W
02/23/2019  M3.9 INCH        MARQUETTE          MI   NWS EMPLOYEE

&&

RJC

Local storm report, Feb 23, 6:08 PM CST, 3 hours 52 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MARQUETTE MI
708 PM EST SAT FEB 23 2019

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0700 PM     SNOW             NWS MARQUETTE           46.53N 87.55W
02/23/2019  M3.7 INCH        MARQUETTE          MI   OFFICIAL NWS OBS

            0.29 INCHES LIQUID EQUIVALENT.

&&

RJC

Local storm report, Feb 23, 6:13 PM CST, 3 hours 47 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MARQUETTE MI
713 PM EST SAT FEB 23 2019

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0700 PM     SNOW             3 S TRENARY             46.16N 86.96W
02/23/2019  M4.0 INCH        DELTA              MI   PUBLIC

            REPORT RECEIVED VIA SOCIAL MEDIA.

&&

RJC

Local storm report, Feb 23, 6:42 PM CST, 3 hours 18 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MARQUETTE MI
742 PM EST SAT FEB 23 2019

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0700 PM     SNOW             CHRISTMAS               46.44N 86.70W
02/23/2019  E5.0 INCH        ALGER              MI   PUBLIC

            REPORT RECEIVED VIA SOCIAL MEDIA.

&&

RJC

Local storm report, Feb 23, 7:47 PM CST, 2 hours 13 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MARQUETTE MI
847 PM EST SAT FEB 23 2019

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0800 PM     SNOW             1 SSE NORWAY            45.78N 87.90W
02/23/2019  M3.1 INCH        DICKINSON          MI   CO-OP OBSERVER

&&

RJC

Local storm report, Feb 23, 8:29 PM CST, 1 hour 31 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MARQUETTE MI
929 PM EST SAT FEB 23 2019

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0926 PM     SNOW             EBEN JUNCTION           46.36N 86.97W
02/23/2019  M4.5 INCH        ALGER              MI   TRAINED SPOTTER

            SNOWFALL FROM EARLIER TODAY. SNOWFALL
            DURATION UNKNOWN.

&&

RJC

The radar

The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

11 winter storm, 11 blizzard, 4 winter weather. Local standard time, as filed.

Winter Weather, Menominee

When: February 23, 10:00 PM CST to February 24, 3:00 AM CST
Where: Menominee forecast zone
Property damage: $150,000
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 45.525, -87.510 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

An estimated three to four inches of wet snow fell in five hours across much of the county. This wet snow combined with the weight of snow from previous storms earlier in the month caused damage to three farm buildings in Harris Township. One free stall barn collapsed and killed 27 cows. Damage estimates from the loss of the buildings and livestock approached $150,000. Many churches and businesses were closed on the 24th due to impacts from the storm. Many schools throughout the county were closed on the 25th due to lingering impacts from the storm.

Winter Weather, Delta

When: February 24, 12:00 AM EST to 5:30 AM EST
Where: Delta forecast zone
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 45.792, -86.871 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

An estimated three to five inches of snow fell in the Escanaba-Gladstone area in less than six hours. Many churches and businesses were closed on the 24th due to impacts from the storm. Schools throughout the county were closed on the 25th due to lingering impacts from the storm.

Winter Storm, Northern Schoolcraft

When: February 24, 12:00 AM EST to 7:00 AM EST
Where: Northern Schoolcraft forecast zone
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 46.043, -86.177 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

An estimated five to six inches of wet snow fell in approximately five hours over northern Schoolcraft County. Many churches and businesses were closed on the 24th due to impacts from the storm.

Winter Storm, Southern Houghton

When: February 24, 12:00 AM EST to 7:45 AM EST
Where: Southern Houghton forecast zone
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 46.992, -88.652 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

An estimated six to eight inches of wet snow fell in less than eight hours across southern Houghton County. Many churches and businesses were closed on the 24th due to impacts from the storm.

Winter Weather, Southern Schoolcraft

When: February 24, 12:00 AM EST to 5:00 AM EST
Where: Southern Schoolcraft forecast zone
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 46.043, -86.177 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The observer in Manistique measured four inches of wet snow in approximately five hours. Many churches and businesses were closed on the 24th due to impacts from the storm. Schools throughout the county were closed on the 25th due to lingering impacts from the storm.

Winter Storm, Gogebic

When: February 23, 11:00 PM CST to February 24, 6:45 AM CST
Where: Gogebic forecast zone
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 46.496, -89.796 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Observers from Wakefield to Watersmeet measured seven to nine inches of snow in less than eight hours. Many churches and businesses were closed on the 24th due to impacts from the storm.

Winter Storm, Alger

When: February 24, 12:00 AM EST to 7:00 AM EST
Where: Alger forecast zone
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 46.451, -86.548 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The observer in Munising measured six inches of wet snow in five hours. Many churches and businesses were closed on the 24th due to impacts from the storm.

Winter Storm, Baraga

When: February 24, 12:00 AM EST to 7:00 AM EST
Where: Baraga forecast zone
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 46.700, -88.352 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Observers in Herman and Nestoria measured between 10 and 12 inches of wet snow in six hours on the morning of the 24th. Many churches and businesses were closed on the 24th due to impacts from the storm.

Winter Storm, Ontonagon

When: February 24, 12:00 AM EST to 7:00 AM EST
Where: Ontonagon forecast zone
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 46.778, -89.305 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Observers in Ontonagon and Paulding measured between seven and nine inches of wet snow in seven hours. Many churches and businesses were closed on the 24th due to impacts from the storm.

Winter Storm, Dickinson

When: February 23, 11:30 PM CST to February 24, 6:00 AM CST
Where: Dickinson forecast zone
Property damage: $20,000
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 46.009, -87.870 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The observer just north of Iron Mountain measured six inches of wet snow in less than four hours. Many churches and businesses were closed on the 24th due to impacts from the storm. Schools throughout the county were closed on the 25th due to lingering impacts from the storm.

Winter Weather, Luce

When: February 24, 1:00 AM EST to 5:00 AM EST
Where: Luce forecast zone
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 46.368, -85.509 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Three to four inches of wet snow fell in Newberry in four hours. Many churches and businesses were closed on the 24th due to impacts from the storm.

Winter Storm, Iron

When: February 24, 12:00 AM CST to 6:00 AM CST
Where: Iron forecast zone
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 46.209, -88.530 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

An estimated six to eight inches of snow fell in less than five hours across much of Iron County. Many churches and businesses were closed on the 24th due to impacts from the storm.

Winter Storm, Marquette

When: February 24, 1:00 AM EST to 7:00 AM EST
Where: Marquette forecast zone
Reported by: Official NWS Observations
Coordinates: 46.663, -87.573 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

The Marquette National Weather Service in Negaunee Township measured eight inches of wet snow in six hours. Other locations throughout the county measured anywhere from 7 to 12 inches of snow during the early morning of the 24th. Many churches and businesses were closed on the 24th due to impacts from the storm.

Winter Storm, Northern Houghton

When: February 24, 2:00 AM EST to 7:00 AM EST
Where: Northern Houghton forecast zone
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 46.992, -88.652 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Observers in Chassell and Kearsarge measured between six and eight inches of wet snow in less than six hours during the early morning of the 24th. Many churches and businesses were closed on the 24th due to impacts from the storm.

Winter Storm, Keweenaw

When: February 24, 2:00 AM EST to 7:00 AM EST
Where: Keweenaw forecast zone
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 47.283, -88.212 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

An estimated six to eight inches of wet snow fell in less than six hours on the morning of the 24th over portions of Keweenaw County. Many churches and businesses were closed on the 24th due to impacts from the storm.

Blizzard, Baraga

When: February 24, 7:00 AM EST to February 25, 3:00 AM EST
Where: Baraga forecast zone
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 46.700, -88.352 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Blizzard conditions were reported throughout the county during the afternoon and evening of the 24th. Northwest winds gusting to 50 to 60 mph caused considerable blowing and drifting of snow and closed many secondary roads. Some locations across the county reported nearly two feet of storm total snowfall. Schools throughout the county were closed on the 25th due to lingering effects from the storm.

Blizzard, Northern Schoolcraft

When: February 24, 8:00 AM EST to February 25, 7:00 AM EST
Where: Northern Schoolcraft forecast zone
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 46.043, -86.177 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Blizzard conditions were reported throughout the county during the afternoon of the 24th and continuing into the morning of the 25th. Northwest winds, gusting to an estimated 45 mph at times, caused considerable blowing and drifting of snow as many roads were drifted shut and closed, including Highway M-28. Schools throughout the county were closed on the 25th.

Blizzard, Southern Houghton

When: February 24, 8:00 AM EST to 10:00 PM EST
Where: Southern Houghton forecast zone
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 46.992, -88.652 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Blizzard conditions were reported throughout the county during the afternoon and evening of the 24th. Northwest winds gusting to 45 to 55 mph at times caused considerable blowing and drifting of snow and closed many secondary roads. Schools throughout the county were closed on the 25th due to lingering effects from the storm.

Blizzard, Iron

When: February 24, 7:00 AM CST to 9:00 PM CST
Where: Iron forecast zone
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 46.209, -88.530 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Blizzard, Gogebic

When: February 24, 7:00 AM CST to 9:00 PM CST
Where: Gogebic forecast zone
Reported by: AWOS
Coordinates: 46.496, -89.796 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Blizzard conditions were reported throughout the county during the afternoon and evening of the 24th. Northwest winds gusting over 35 mph caused considerable blowing and drifting of snow and closed many secondary roads. Schools throughout the county were closed on the 25th due to lingering effects from the storm.

Blizzard, Luce

When: February 24, 8:00 AM EST to February 25, 7:00 AM EST
Where: Luce forecast zone
Reported by: AWOS
Coordinates: 46.368, -85.509 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Blizzard conditions were reported throughout the county from the afternoon of the 24th into the morning of the 25th. Northwest winds gusting to 50 to 60 mph at times caused considerable blowing and drifting of snow and closed many roads, including Highway M-28. Schools throughout the county were closed on the 25th due to lingering effects from the storm.

Blizzard, Alger

When: February 24, 8:00 AM EST to February 25, 7:00 AM EST
Where: Alger forecast zone
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 46.451, -86.548 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Blizzard conditions were reported throughout the county from the afternoon into the morning of the 25th. Northwest winds gusting to 50 to 60 mph caused considerable blowing and drifting of snow and closed many roads, including Highway M-28. Schools throughout the county were closed on the 25th due to lingering effects from the storm.

Blizzard, Marquette

When: February 24, 8:00 AM EST to February 25, 3:00 AM EST
Where: Marquette forecast zone
Property damage: $1.0 million
Reported by: Official NWS Observations
Coordinates: 46.663, -87.573 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Blizzard conditions were observed throughout the county from the afternoon of the 24th into the early morning of the 25th. Northwest winds gusting to 50 to 60 mph caused considerable blowing and drifting of snow and closed many roads, including Highway M-28 east of Harvey. Some higher terrain locations across the county reported nearly two feet of storm total snowfall. The weight of heavy snow from this storm and previous storms during the month of February caused numerous roof collapses of businesses throughout the county. The heavy snow also caused the roof of the Negaunee Bus Depot to collapse which alone caused damage in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. Schools throughout the county, including Northern Michigan University, were closed on the 25th due to lingering effects from the storm.

Blizzard, Northern Houghton

When: February 24, 8:00 AM EST to February 25, 3:00 AM EST
Where: Northern Houghton forecast zone
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 46.992, -88.652 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Blizzard conditions were reported throughout the county from the afternoon of the 24th into the early morning of the 25th. Northwest winds gusting to 60 mph at times caused extreme blowing and drifting of snow and closed all roads across the northern part of the county. All schools throughout the county, including Michigan Technological University, were closed on the 25th due to lingering impacts from the storm.

Blizzard, Ontonagon

When: February 24, 8:00 AM EST to 10:00 PM EST
Where: Ontonagon forecast zone
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 46.778, -89.305 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Blizzard conditions were reported throughout the county during the afternoon and evening of the 24th. Northwest winds gusting to 50 to 60 mph at times caused considerable blowing and drifting of snow and closed many secondary roads across the county. Some locations across the county reported nearly two feet of storm total snowfall. All schools throughout the county were closed on the 25th due to lingering impacts from the storm.

Blizzard, Keweenaw

When: February 24, 8:00 AM EST to February 25, 3:00 AM EST
Where: Keweenaw forecast zone
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 47.283, -88.212 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Blizzard conditions were reported throughout the county from the afternoon of the 24th into the morning of the 25th. Northwest winds gusting to 60 mph at times caused extreme blowing and drifting of snow and closed most roads across the county. All schools throughout the county were closed on the 25th due to lingering impacts from the storm.

What these are

Winter Weather: Snow, sleet or freezing rain below warning levels that still caused disruption, damage or casualties.
Winter Storm: A storm that brought snow, sleet or freezing rain at warning levels, usually over several hours or days.
Blizzard: Sustained winds or frequent gusts of 35 mph or more with falling or blowing snow that cuts visibility below a quarter mile for three hours or longer.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Michigan in 2019 Every state in 2019 This day in weather history Warnings in Michigan, February 2019

Sources

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: 810344, 810347, 810369, 810373, 810375, 810387, 810391, 810400, 810401, 810339, 810367, 810383, 810397, 810405, 810408, 810427, 810412, 810418, 810419, 810421, 810424, 810425, 810426, 810429, 810430, 810431.