Beware on snowmobile trail and roads: Accidents, sliding cars and a jackknifed semi already reported this Tuesday morning (Feb. 7, 2017) and forebear bad driving for next day or more: Wreck and burned sleds, numerous serious traffic accidents
Scroll down to read latest U.P. weather warnings or click on the links – lots of bad weather will make roads very slippery
Hazardous Weather Conditions
Winter Weather Advisory until February 8, 12:00 AM EST
By Greg Peterson
U.P. Breaking News
Owner, News Director
906-273-2433
(Upper Peninsula of Michigan) – An accident that heavily damaged three vehicles in Negaunee was one of this morning’s accidents across northern Michigan as treacherous roads are expected from a storm that is walloping the Upper Peninsula.
Look out for blowing snow, snow heavy at times and freezing rain in some areas – see the list of warnings after this story
About a dozen motor vehicle rollovers have been reported since Saturday across the U.P. plus numerous snowmobile accidents and even a burned sled.
Only minor injuries were reported in the wreck that happened at abut 7:30 this morning at U.S.-41 and Baldwin Avenue in Negaunee, MI causing airbags t0o deploy – often resulting in a painful chest bruising – as airbags save your life (I know) but can cause also neck and spinal injuries.
The wreck caused a major morning commute traffic jam as did other accidents in Ishpeming and on M-94 in Marquette County and on the famous but slippery Quincy Hill in Hancock, MI in the Copper Country where cars were sliding this morning and a semi tractor trailer truck jackknifed.
There have been numerous snowmobile accidents across the U.P. in past three days including one in Alger County on Monday, Feb. 6, 2017 that sent a man to Marquette General Hospital with a broken armed and other injuries. The victim crashed his sled reportedly traveling about 55 to 60 miles per hour and hit a bad spot on the trail throwing the victim. His injuries were serious but not life-threatening.
Meanwhile, trail groomers in the Copper Country this morning are reporting a snowmobile burned to a crisp and the sled skeleton was left along the trail.
It’s not clear what trail the burned sled is on but Keweenaw-Houghton County trail system
“There is nothing left,” said one groomer this morning. “Looks like a rental.”
Blinding snow caused numerous accidents on Saturday, Feb. 4, 2017 after the snowmobile races in the Soo area. Chippewa County law enforcement was kept busy by at least two snowmobile accidents and other wrecks – including a woman who rolled her sled on top of her – and was taken to War Memorial Hospital with painful injuries including possible seriously broken bones
It was one of several accidents that occurred in whiteout conditions in the eastern U.P. on Saturday, Feb. 4, 2017. Another involved a man who was taken to the hospital after his vehicle flipped several times in Chippewa County during the storm.
The blinding whiteout conditions were in so bad that police had to drive a woman and her children back to Sault Ste. Maire, MI after the driver had a panic attack and did the smart ting – pulled over and called for help.
Several groomers in the Houghton/Keweenaw trail system reported that it was mainly rental sleds on Monday describing as all looking the same.
This weekend, near Boot Jack an accident involving a snowmobile trailer caused a mess but no serious injuries. Not clear if the sled inside the trailer were also destroyed.
Meanwhile early yesterday morning (Mon., Jan. 6, 2017) ) a 54-year-old Escanaba women was transferred to a Marquette MI hospital after being seriously injured in a two-vehicle crash near the Highland Golf Club and railroad tracks on U.S.-2 in Ford River Township – that saw her SUV flip into numerous trees.
The Jaws of Life was used to extricate the woman and she was later transferred to U.P. Heath System in Marquette with numerous serious injuries. Police say the woman was eastbound when her SUV crossed the center line and struck an oncoming vehicle driven by a 21-year-old Bark River Man – who was fortunate to escape with only minor injuries.
The accident at about 11 p.m. Sunday night caused a major traffic jam. While authorities were extricating the victim – another rollover accident was reported nearby on one of the side streets. No one was found in that vehicle.
Here are the special weather statements:
Hazardous Weather Outlook
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Marquette MI
515 AM EST Tue Feb 7 2017
MIZ002-004>007-009-010-084-085-081015-
Ontonagon-Baraga-Marquette-Alger-Luce-Gogebic-Iron-
Southern Houghton-Northern Schoolcraft-
515 AM EST Tue Feb 7 2017 /415 AM CST Tue Feb 7 2017/
This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of western Upper
Michigan and central Upper Michigan.
.DAY ONE...Today and Tonight
MODERATE TO HEAVY SNOW WILL CONTINUE TO DEVELOP THIS MORNING AND
SPREAD EASTWARD DURING THE MORNING AND AFTERNOON HOURS. THE SNOW
WILL LINGER INTO THE OVERNIGHT HOURS...ESPECIALLY ACROSS THE EAST.
EXPECT ROADS TO BECOME SNOW COVERED AND SLICK. SEE THE LATEST
WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE FOR MORE DETAILS.
.Days two through seven...Wednesday through Monday
LAKE EFFECT SNOW SHOWERS AND BLOWING SNOW WILL CONTINUE IN THE
SNOW BELTS FAVORED BY NORTHWEST WINDS WEDNESDAY THROUGH THURSDAY.
WAVES AS HIGH AS 10 FEET ON LAKE SUPERIOR TO THE EAST OF
MARQUETTE ON WEDNESDAY MAY PRODUCE MINOR BEACH EROSION.
SYSTEM SNOW WILL BE POSSIBLE WITH A QUICK MOVING SYSTEM LATE
FRIDAY NIGHT THROUGH SATURDAY MORNING
.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...
WEATHER SPOTTERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO SUBMIT REPORTS TO THE NATIONAL
WEATHER SERVICE IN MARQUETTE. THE PUBLIC MAY ALSO SUBMIT REPORTS
AT OUR WEBPAGE...FACEBOOK PAGE...OR ON TWITTER.
$$
Winter Weather Advisory
URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MARQUETTE MI
500 AM EST TUE FEB 7 2017
...MODERATE TO OCCASIONALLY HEAVY SNOW EXPECTED ACROSS THE
NORTHERN HALF OF UPPER MICHIGAN TODAY THROUGH THIS EVENING...
MIZ005>007-085-071800-
/O.CON.KMQT.WW.Y.0007.000000T0000Z-170208T0500Z/
MARQUETTE-ALGER-LUCE-NORTHERN SCHOOLCRAFT-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF GWINN, MARQUETTE, GRAND MARAIS, MUNISING,
NEWBERRY, AND SENEY
500 AM EST TUE FEB 7 2017
...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT EST
TONIGHT...
HAZARDOUS WEATHER...
* SNOW WILL DEVELOP EARLY THIS MORNING AND CONTINUE THROUGH THIS
EVENING. MODERATE TO HEAVY SNOW WILL FALL AT TIMES THIS
AFTERNOON INTO THIS EVENING.
* GUSTY NORTH WINDS AS HIGH AS 25 MPH TONIGHT WILL CAUSE PATCHY
BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW, ESPECIALLY IN OPEN AREAS.
* WIDESPREAD SNOWFALL TOTALS OF 4 TO 9 INCHES ARE EXPECTED TODAY
THROUGH THIS EVENING...HIGHEST ALONG AND NORTHWEST OF A LINE FROM
NEGAUNEE TO CHAMPION IN MARQUETTE COUNTY.
IMPACTS...
* THE COMBINATION OF SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW WILL REDUCE
VISIBILITY TO A HALF MILE OR LESS AT TIMES.
* THE SNOW WILL BE HEAVY AND WET, WHICH WILL MAKE SHOVELING AND
PLOWING SNOW MORE DIFFICULT.
* ROADS WILL BECOME SNOW COVERED AND SLIPPERY TODAY THROUGH LATE
THIS EVENING.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
* A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW MEANS THAT PERIODS OF SNOW
AND BLOWING SNOW WILL CAUSE PRIMARILY TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES.
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Marquette MI
435 AM EST Tue Feb 7 2017
MIZ011>014-072200-
Dickinson-Menominee-Delta-Southern Schoolcraft-
Including the cities of Iron Mountain, Menominee, Escanaba,
Gladstone, and Manistique
435 AM EST Tue Feb 7 2017 /335 AM CST Tue Feb 7 2017/
...Wintry Mix Expected to Develop This Morning and then Linger
into This Evening...
Light snow and freezing drizzle is expected to develop early this
morning and then slowly transition to a mix of light freezing
rain, sleet and snow later this morning into the afternoon. While
the precipitation is expected to remain light, the wintry mix will
still make roads very slippery.
Please allow extra time to reach your destination this morning
into this evening.
Voss
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service La Crosse WI
600 AM CST Tue Feb 7 2017
IAZ008>011-018-019-MNZ079-086>088-094>096-WIZ017-029-032>034-
041>044-053>055-071400-
Mitchell-Howard-Winneshiek-Allamakee-Floyd-Chickasaw-Wabasha-
Dodge-Olmsted-Winona-Mower-Fillmore-Houston-Taylor-Clark-Buffalo-
Trempealeau-Jackson-La Crosse-Monroe-Juneau-Adams-Vernon-Crawford-
Richland-
Including the cities of Osage, Cresco, Decorah, Waukon,
Charles City, New Hampton, Wabasha, Dodge Center, Rochester,
Winona, Austin, Preston, Caledonia, Medford, Neillsville, Alma,
Arcadia, Whitehall, Black River Falls, La Crosse, Sparta, Tomah,
Mauston, Friendship, Viroqua, Prairie Du Chien,
and Richland Center
600 AM CST Tue Feb 7 2017
...Patchy Dense Fog This Morning...
Patchy dense fog is possible this morning across portions of
southeast Minnesota, northeast Iowa and southwest Wisconsin,
potentially impacting the morning commute. Visibility may drop to
1/2 mile or less at times, especially across elevated terrain and
along ridge tops. Slow down and allow extra time to reach your
destination this morning as visibility may change rapidly.
$$
Heavy Freezing Spray Warning
URGENT - MARINE WEATHER MESSAGE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MARQUETTE MI 358 AM EST TUE FEB 7 2017 LSZ162-263-071700- /O.NEW.KMQT.GL.W.0009.170207T0858Z-170208T0000Z/ /O.NEW.KMQT.UP.W.0009.170208T0100Z-170208T1900Z/ LAKE SUPERIOR WEST OF A LINE FROM SAXON HARBOR WI TO GRAND PORTAGE MN BEYOND 5NM- 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- 358 AM EST TUE FEB 7 2017 /258 AM CST TUE FEB 7 2017/ ...GALE WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM EST /6 PM CST/ THIS EVENING... ...HEAVY FREEZING SPRAY WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 8 PM EST /7 PM CST/ THIS EVENING TO 2 PM EST /1 PM CST/ WEDNESDAY... THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN MARQUETTE HAS ISSUED A GALE WARNING...WHICH IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM EST /6 PM CST/ THIS EVENING. A HEAVY FREEZING SPRAY WARNING HAS ALSO BEEN ISSUED. THIS HEAVY FREEZING SPRAY WARNING IS IN EFFECT FROM 8 PM EST /7 PM CST/ THIS EVENING TO 2 PM EST /1 PM CST/ WEDNESDAY. * WIND AND WAVES DURING THE GALE WARNING: EXPECT SUSTAINED WINDS OF UP TO 31 KNOTS FROM THE NORTHEAST...WITH GUSTS UP TO 40 KNOTS. THE LARGEST EXPECTED SIGNIFICANT WAVES WILL BE 10 FEET WITH A MAXIMUM WAVE HEIGHT OF UP TO 15 FEET POSSIBLE. * TIMING: THE MAXIMUM WINDS ARE EXPECTED AROUND 7 AM EST TUESDAY WITH THE LARGEST WAVES EXPECTED AROUND 10 AM EST TUESDAY. * TIMING: EXPECT HEAVY FREEZING SPRAY TO OCCUR FROM 8 PM EST /7 PM CST/ THIS EVENING TO 2 PM EST /1 PM CST/ WEDNESDAY. PLEASE SEE THE LATEST MARINE FORECASTS FOR MORE DETAILED INFORMATION. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A GALE WARNING MEANS WINDS OF 34 TO 47 KNOTS ARE IMMINENT OR OCCURRING. OPERATING A VESSEL IN GALE CONDITIONS REQUIRES EXPERIENCE AND PROPERLY EQUIPPED VESSELS. IT IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED THAT MARINERS WITHOUT THE PROPER EXPERIENCE SEEK SAFE HARBOR PRIOR TO THE ONSET OF GALE CONDITIONS. A HEAVY FREEZING SPRAY WARNING MEANS HEAVY FREEZING SPRAY IS EXPECTED TO RAPIDLY ACCUMULATE ON VESSELS. THESE CONDITIONS CAN BE EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS TO NAVIGATION. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT MARINERS NOT TRAINED TO OPERATE IN THESE CONDITIONS OR VESSELS NOT PROPERLY EQUIPPED TO DO SO...REMAIN IN PORT OR AVOID THE WARNING AREA.
Hazardous Weather Outlook
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Marquette MI
515 AM EST Tue Feb 7 2017
LSZ162-240>251-263>267-081015-
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-
515 AM EST Tue Feb 7 2017 /415 AM CST Tue Feb 7 2017/
This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of Eastern Lake
Superior...Central Lake Superior and Western Lake Superior.
.DAY ONE...Today and Tonight
NORTHWEST GALES OF 35 TO 40 KNOTS ARE EXPECTED ACROSS WESTERN
PORTIONS OF THE LAKE THIS MORNING AND AFTERNOON. TONIGHT...THESE
GALES WILL BECOME NORTH-NORTHWESTERLY AND TRANSITION TO CENTRAL
AND EASTERN PORTIONS OF THE LAKE.
HEAVY FREEZING SPRAY IS ALSO EXPECTED TODAY AND TONIGHT.
.Days two through seven...Wednesday through Monday
HEAVY FREEZING SPRAY IS EXPECTED TO LINGER THROUGH
THURSDAY...ESPECIALLY ACROSS EASTERN PORTIONS OF THE LAKE.
.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...
THE NEED FOR WEATHER SPOTTER REPORTS IS NOT ANTICIPATED AT THIS
TIME.
$$
Gale Warning
URGENT - MARINE WEATHER MESSAGE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MARQUETTE MI 358 AM EST TUE FEB 7 2017 LSZ162-263-071700- /O.NEW.KMQT.GL.W.0009.170207T0858Z-170208T0000Z/ /O.NEW.KMQT.UP.W.0009.170208T0100Z-170208T1900Z/ LAKE SUPERIOR WEST OF A LINE FROM SAXON HARBOR WI TO GRAND PORTAGE MN BEYOND 5NM- 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- 358 AM EST TUE FEB 7 2017 /258 AM CST TUE FEB 7 2017/ ...GALE WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM EST /6 PM CST/ THIS EVENING... ...HEAVY FREEZING SPRAY WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 8 PM EST /7 PM CST/ THIS EVENING TO 2 PM EST /1 PM CST/ WEDNESDAY... THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN MARQUETTE HAS ISSUED A GALE WARNING...WHICH IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM EST /6 PM CST/ THIS EVENING. A HEAVY FREEZING SPRAY WARNING HAS ALSO BEEN ISSUED. THIS HEAVY FREEZING SPRAY WARNING IS IN EFFECT FROM 8 PM EST /7 PM CST/ THIS EVENING TO 2 PM EST /1 PM CST/ WEDNESDAY. * WIND AND WAVES DURING THE GALE WARNING: EXPECT SUSTAINED WINDS OF UP TO 31 KNOTS FROM THE NORTHEAST...WITH GUSTS UP TO 40 KNOTS. THE LARGEST EXPECTED SIGNIFICANT WAVES WILL BE 10 FEET WITH A MAXIMUM WAVE HEIGHT OF UP TO 15 FEET POSSIBLE. * TIMING: THE MAXIMUM WINDS ARE EXPECTED AROUND 7 AM EST TUESDAY WITH THE LARGEST WAVES EXPECTED AROUND 10 AM EST TUESDAY. * TIMING: EXPECT HEAVY FREEZING SPRAY TO OCCUR FROM 8 PM EST /7 PM CST/ THIS EVENING TO 2 PM EST /1 PM CST/ WEDNESDAY. PLEASE SEE THE LATEST MARINE FORECASTS FOR MORE DETAILED INFORMATION. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A GALE WARNING MEANS WINDS OF 34 TO 47 KNOTS ARE IMMINENT OR OCCURRING. OPERATING A VESSEL IN GALE CONDITIONS REQUIRES EXPERIENCE AND PROPERLY EQUIPPED VESSELS. IT IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED THAT MARINERS WITHOUT THE PROPER EXPERIENCE SEEK SAFE HARBOR PRIOR TO THE ONSET OF GALE CONDITIONS. A HEAVY FREEZING SPRAY WARNING MEANS HEAVY FREEZING SPRAY IS EXPECTED TO RAPIDLY ACCUMULATE ON VESSELS. THESE CONDITIONS CAN BE EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS TO NAVIGATION. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT MARINERS NOT TRAINED TO OPERATE IN THESE CONDITIONS OR VESSELS NOT PROPERLY EQUIPPED TO DO SO...REMAIN IN PORT OR AVOID THE WARNING AREA.
Winter Weather Advisory
URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MARQUETTE MI 500 AM EST TUE FEB 7 2017 ...MODERATE TO OCCASIONALLY HEAVY SNOW EXPECTED ACROSS THE NORTHERN HALF OF UPPER MICHIGAN TODAY THROUGH THIS EVENING... MIZ005>007-085-071800- /O.CON.KMQT.WW.Y.0007.000000T0000Z-170208T0500Z/ MARQUETTE-ALGER-LUCE-NORTHERN SCHOOLCRAFT- INCLUDING THE CITIES OF GWINN, MARQUETTE, GRAND MARAIS, MUNISING, NEWBERRY, AND SENEY 500 AM EST TUE FEB 7 2017 ...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT EST TONIGHT... HAZARDOUS WEATHER... * SNOW WILL DEVELOP EARLY THIS MORNING AND CONTINUE THROUGH THIS EVENING. MODERATE TO HEAVY SNOW WILL FALL AT TIMES THIS AFTERNOON INTO THIS EVENING. * GUSTY NORTH WINDS AS HIGH AS 25 MPH TONIGHT WILL CAUSE PATCHY BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW, ESPECIALLY IN OPEN AREAS. * WIDESPREAD SNOWFALL TOTALS OF 4 TO 9 INCHES ARE EXPECTED TODAY THROUGH THIS EVENING...HIGHEST ALONG AND NORTHWEST OF A LINE FROM NEGAUNEE TO CHAMPION IN MARQUETTE COUNTY. IMPACTS... * THE COMBINATION OF SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW WILL REDUCE VISIBILITY TO A HALF MILE OR LESS AT TIMES. * THE SNOW WILL BE HEAVY AND WET, WHICH WILL MAKE SHOVELING AND PLOWING SNOW MORE DIFFICULT. * ROADS WILL BECOME SNOW COVERED AND SLIPPERY TODAY THROUGH LATE THIS EVENING. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... * A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW MEANS THAT PERIODS OF SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW WILL CAUSE PRIMARILY TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES. VOSS
Hazardous Weather Outlook
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Marquette MI 515 AM EST Tue Feb 7 2017 MIZ002-004>007-009-010-084-085-081015- Ontonagon-Baraga-Marquette-Alger-Luce-Gogebic-Iron- Southern Houghton-Northern Schoolcraft- 515 AM EST Tue Feb 7 2017 /415 AM CST Tue Feb 7 2017/ This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of western Upper Michigan and central Upper Michigan. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight MODERATE TO HEAVY SNOW WILL CONTINUE TO DEVELOP THIS MORNING AND SPREAD EASTWARD DURING THE MORNING AND AFTERNOON HOURS. THE SNOW WILL LINGER INTO THE OVERNIGHT HOURS...ESPECIALLY ACROSS THE EAST. EXPECT ROADS TO BECOME SNOW COVERED AND SLICK. SEE THE LATEST WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE FOR MORE DETAILS. .Days two through seven...Wednesday through Monday LAKE EFFECT SNOW SHOWERS AND BLOWING SNOW WILL CONTINUE IN THE SNOW BELTS FAVORED BY NORTHWEST WINDS WEDNESDAY THROUGH THURSDAY. WAVES AS HIGH AS 10 FEET ON LAKE SUPERIOR TO THE EAST OF MARQUETTE ON WEDNESDAY MAY PRODUCE MINOR BEACH EROSION. SYSTEM SNOW WILL BE POSSIBLE WITH A QUICK MOVING SYSTEM LATE FRIDAY NIGHT THROUGH SATURDAY MORNING .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... WEATHER SPOTTERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO SUBMIT REPORTS TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN MARQUETTE. THE PUBLIC MAY ALSO SUBMIT REPORTS AT OUR WEBPAGE...FACEBOOK PAGE...OR ON TWITTER.
Upper Peninsula Breaking News by Greg Peterson 