textproduct: Marquette

KEY MESSAGES

- A clipper and associated cold front will bring a chance for light mixed precipitation on Thursday. Up to an inch of snowfall is possible over the northern U.P.

- Drier weather with cold overnight lows Friday into the weekend.

- Daytime highs stay above freezing through much of the next week, with the exception of Friday, supporting gradual snowmelt across the U.P.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 140 PM EDT Wed Mar 25 2026

Early this afternoon satellite water vapor imagery and model analysis showed a low amplitude ridging over the intermountain west and low amplitude troughing over the eastern U.S. A weak shortwave moved across the region this morning bringing a one to two hour period of light snow and rain to the northern and eastern U.P. This afternoon was dry with breaks in the cloud cover over the western half of the U.P. Southerly winds were bringing in warmer air with temperatures in the upper 40s to low 50s over the west. Clouds and winds off the cold waters of Lake Michigan were keeping the eastern U.P. cooler with temperatures in the 30s. Expecting locations in the western U.P., especially near the MI/WI state line will reach to near 60 by the end of the afternoon.

Another shortwave and cold front will move though the region late tonight into Thursday. Increasing mid-level fgen will result in a band of precipitation along and behind the advancing cold front, falling as rain along the front and a transition to snow (and possibly brief period of freezing rain (30% chance) north of the cold front. Currently looks like the heaviest precipitation will be along and south of the MI/WI state line and Menominee County where probabilities for at least 0.20" of QPF are around 60%. Over the northern U.P. it will mainly be snow with up to an inch of snowfall possible. With northerly flow and caa temperatures will not warm up too much on Thursday, 20s north and 30s south.

Lake effect snow showers will develop in the north wind snowbelts late Thursday night into Friday along with another weak shortwave bringing chances for very light snow and/or flurries. Overall the lake effect looks light, with maybe an inch or two of snowfall where bands persist the longest. These will shift east Friday night to the eastern U.P. as winds turn west-northwest. Friday will feel chilly with highs only making it into the 20s, except 30s over the far south.

Overall temperatures look to be near or below average Saturday through early next week with highs in the 30s and 40s. The chance for wintery precipitation returns to the forecast on Tuesday but there is little in the way of agreement in the guidance on how the system may evolve.

AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z THURSDAY/

Issued at 134 PM EDT Wed Mar 25 2026

VFR conditions the rest of the day slowly deteriorate into tonight with another batch of wintry precipitation moving through northern WI and possibly the UP. MVFR ceilings develop at all sites after 00Z, then lower further to IFR around or after 06Z with snow and mixed precipitation most likely at IWD into early Thursday morning. Have opted for prob30 groups for snow and mixed precipitation at CMX and SAW by mid morning Thursday given the potential for wintry precipitation to stay more to the south. However, a strengthening inversion will lead to a potential for fog after 09Z, especially at SAW, with IFR or worse visibility.

MARINE

Issued at 140 PM EDT Wed Mar 25 2026

The chance for gales remains low (less than 20%) through the weekend with a series of weak systems moving through the Upper Great Lakes. After winds fall below 20kt tonight they will ramp up again on Thursday, increasing to 30kt over the eastern half of the lake along with waves of 5-9ft and moderate freezing spray. An expansive area of high pressure builds into the Upper Great Lakes from Canada for Friday and Saturday with west-northwest winds to 30kt diminishing Saturday afternoon. Early next week low pressure will move from the Northern Rockies to the Central Plains. A tightening pressure gradient will bring strengthening easterly winds to 30kt and a 30- 40% chance for gales over the eastern half of the lake.

MQT WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

Upper Michigan... None. Lake Superior... None. Lake Michigan... None.