Blizzard Buries Michigan: 10ft+ Snow & Pool Vanishes!

More than 52 inches of snow fell in Round Lake, Michigan, as a historic blizzard swept across the state’s Upper Peninsula this week, according to the National Weather Service.

The heaviest snowfall was recorded Tuesday morning, March 17, near Round Lake, located in the central Upper Peninsula southwest of Munising. Wetmore too reported 52 inches, while Cusino Lake (4 miles NNE) received 48.5 inches and Shingleton measured 48.5 inches. Herman saw 45 inches, and Forest Lake (6 miles SE) accumulated 42.5 inches, according to NWS snowfall reports.

The storm, which impacted the northern Lower Peninsula and the Upper Peninsula from March 15-17, produced heavy snow and ice. The Marquette National Weather Service office reported breaking its all-time 2-day snowfall total, measuring 36.3 inches, surpassing the previous record of 31.9 inches set in March 1997.

The Lower Peninsula was also significantly affected. Approximately 30 inches of snow fell near Cheboygan and Hawks, in the northeast Lower Peninsula, on March 16. Damaging mixed precipitation, including up to half an inch of ice, caused widespread power outages across northern Michigan.

In response to the severe weather, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer declared a state of emergency for seven northern counties on March 17: Alcona, Alpena, Delta, Missaukee, Ogemaw, Roscommon, and Wexford.

As of March 17, Marquette has received 262.7 inches of snow this season, approaching the record of 276.8 inches set during the 2001-02 winter. The Keweenaw Peninsula has recorded 329 inches of snow this year, with an all-time record of 390 inches.

Escanaba, Michigan, reported just over 30 inches of snow as of 8:30 p.m. On March 18, creating extremely difficult travel conditions. The city, located along the northern shore of Lake Michigan, is particularly vulnerable to lake-effect snow events when cold air passes over the warmer waters of the Great Lakes.