Winter Storm and Cold in Michigan, January 24 to 26, 2019

An estimated 3-6 inches of lake effect snow fell in the 12-hour period ending on the evening of the 24th. Strong west to northwest winds gusting to 35-45 mph caused considerable blowing and drifting of snow and occasional whiteout conditions from the 24th into the 25th. Schools were closed on the 25th. Wind chill values lowered into the 25 to 30 below zero range from the morning of the 25th through much of the 26th.

Observers at Painesdale and near Houghton measured between 10 and 12 inches of lake enhanced snow over a 24 hour period ending on the morning of the 25th. Northwest winds gusting to 30 mph at times also caused blowing and drifting of snow. Minimum wind chill values of 25 to 35 below zero were also reported from the morning of the 25th through much of the 26th. Schools in Houghton County were closed on the 25th.

There was an estimated three to six inches of lake effect snow in the 24-hour period ending on the morning of the 25th. Wind chill values lowered into the 25 to 30 below zero range from the morning of the 25th through the morning of the 26th. Area schools were closed on the 25th.

There was a report of 6.5 inches of snowfall in 24 hours just south of Baraga for the period ending on the morning of the 25th. Six inches of snow also fell near Pelkie. Wind chill values dropped into the 25 to 30 below zero range from the morning of the 25th into the morning of the 26th.

The observer six miles north of Greenland measured eight inches of lake enhanced snow in 12-18 hours. Northwest winds gusting to 30 mph also caused considerable blowing and drifting of snow and greatly reduced visibility at times. Wind chill values also lowered into the 25 to 30 below zero range by the morning of the 25th. Schools throughout the county were closed on the 25th.

There was a public report of nearly eight inches of lake enhanced snow in Ironwood in ten hours. Northwest winds gusting as high as 30 mph also caused considerable blowing and drifting of snow and greatly reduced visibility. Wind chill values by the morning of the 25th dipped into the 30 to 35 below zero range. Schools were closed on the 25th due to the bitter cold.

Snowfall across the county ranged from two to locally five inches over an 18-hour period ending on the morning of the 25th. Northwest winds gusting to 25 to 30 mph on the afternoon of the 24th also caused reduced visibility at times in blowing snow.

Troopers from the MSP Negaunee post responded to a two-vehicle crash on US-41 near Brebner Road in Negaunee Township on the afternoon of the 24th. The crash investigation determined that a 2004 Toyota Avalon driven by an 81-year cold male from Sands Township was eastbound on US-41 and while attempting a left turn drove into the path of a westbound 2006 Chevrolet Colorado pickup truck driven by a 57-year old from Champion. A 78-year old female passenger in the Toyota Avalon was killed in the crash. Both drivers were transported to UP Health Systems in Marquette for treatment of injuries.

In a separate incident, a Northern Michigan University student hiking and taking photographs in the Yellow Dog River near County Road 510 became disoriented in the snow and blowing snow that hit the area on the afternoon of the 24th. Search crews looked for the male student for several days until his deceased body was located on the afternoon of the 27th just south of County Road 510. It was determined he died of exposure.

Observers at Newberry and Halfway Lake measured at least six inches of lake effect snow during the 18-hour period ending on the morning of the 25th. Wind chill values plummeted to nearly 30 below zero by the morning of the 26th.

There was a report of an estimated seven inches of lake effect snow in less than six hours at Rumely. Nine inches of snowfall was also reported ten miles south of Grand Marais in less than 24 hours. Whiteout conditions were reported for several hours on the evening of the 24th due to considerable blowing and drifting of snow along Highway M-94. Highway M-28 was also closed from Munising to Kawbawgam Road in Marquette County due to whiteout conditions. Wind chill values dropped into the 25 to 30 below zero range by the morning of the 26th.

The spotter near Cusino Lake measured 14 inches of lake effect snow over a two-day period ending on the evening of the 25th. Northwest wind gusting near 30 mph also caused considerable blowing and drifting of snow and greatly reduced visibility. Wind chill values plummeted to 25 to 30 below zero by the morning of the 26th.

Minimum wind chill values throughout the period were in the 25 to 35 below zero range.

Minimum wind chill values throughout the period were in the 25 to 30 below zero range.

Minimum wind chill values throughout the period were in the 25 to 35 below zero range.

Minimum wind chill values throughout the period were in the 25 to 35 below zero range.

Minimum wind chill values throughout the period were in the 25 to 35 below zero range.