Winter Weather Advisory In Effect From 6 PM This Evening Until Midnight Friday

MARQUETTE, MI - Wednesday, December 2, 2009 - The National Weather Service in Marquette has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for lake effect snow which is in effect from 6:00 PM this evening to midnight Friday.

Lake effect snow will increase late today as colder air flows across Lake Superior. Expect 2 to 4 inches of snow tonight with additional amounts of 5 to 10 inches in the Thursday and Thursday night time period. Northerly winds will result in the most snow occurring from Ironwood and Wakefield to White Pine and Rockland. At inland locations such as Watersmeet and Bruce Crossing plan on only a few inches of snow through Thursday night.

A Winter Weather Advisory for lake effect snow means that periods of lake effect snow will cause primarily travel difficulties. Be prepared for snow covered roads and limited visibilities and use caution while driving.

Low pressure across south Central Lake Superior will shift into Ontario and merge with a developing low pressure system over the Ohio Valley this evening. Behind this system winds will turn north and northwest allowing colder air to dive across the relatively warm waters of Lake Superior. Areas favored by a northerly wind direction such as inland north central Upper Michigan and areas near Ironwood will likely see accumulating snow tonight through Thursday. As the winds turn northwesterly and westerly Thursday afternoon and evening all of western Upper Michigan from Ironwood through the Keweenaw peninsula could see moderate lake effect snow accumulations.

Widespread lake effect snow will also be possible across lake effect snow belts east of Marquette favored by a west to northwest wind. The wind should quickly shift out of the west Thursday night pushing the heavier snow over Lake Superior.

The Chronicle will provide more information as it becomes available.