NORTHERN MICHIGAN – A blizzard and ice storm sweeping across northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula has brought whiteout conditions, treacherous travel and widespread power outages, leaving some communities at a standstill.
Snow totals have reached as high as 36 inches in some areas, with heavy drifting burying roads and driveways. Residents across northern Michigan said they haven’t seen snow like this in years.
“I’m hoping a county plow can get out to me later today so I can get in town to get to a hotel room,” he said.
Michigan State Police posted photos from Alpena showing downed lines and trees blocking roads and warned residents to stay home.
This is what Alpena looks like. Please do not travel. If you see a downed power line, STOP 🛑 do not touch it, and dial 9-1-1 to report it. pic.twitter.com/p1soCiSwfx
“Depending on where you are, the drifting is five to six feet tall,” Woods said. “No one has seen this much snow in years.”
What the National Weather Service is saying
The National Weather Service has issued blizzard warnings and winter storm warnings across parts of northern Lower Michigan and the eastern Upper Peninsula, warning that falling and blowing snow could reduce visibility to near zero and make travel dangerous or impossible.
What’s next
The snow is expected to taper off Tuesday morning, but cleanup will take time as crews work to clear roads and restore power. Some areas are also dealing with significant icing, which can worsen outages and damage.
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Lauren Kostiuk is an award-winning journalist who joined the Local 4 team in April 2025. She spent several years honing her skills in newsrooms across the country before returning home to Metro Detroit.