Winter Storm Warning For Alpena And Presque Isle: Lake‑effect Snow, Gusty Winds, And Up To 4 Inches Of Snow Threaten Travel In Northern Michigan

Published on November 16, 2025

In nan bluish Michigan communities of Alpena and Presque Isle, residents and travellers are being urged to hole arsenic a wintertime upwind advisory remains successful effect done nan early hours of Monday. The National Weather Service (NWS) has forecast lake‑effect snowfall accompanied by gusty winds, which could effect visibility and roadworthy surfaces successful this rugged region.

What’s happening and why

The advisory covers some counties — Alpena and Presque Isle — wherever acold Lake Huron waters and a beardown northwest travel are driving snowfall bands inland. According to nan NWS issuance: “Total snowfall accumulations of 1 to 4 inches crossed northern/eastern Presque Isle and Alpena counties. Locally higher amounts possible. Winds gusting arsenic precocious arsenic 40 mph.” The advisory remains progressive until 7 a.m. EST Monday.

Such lake‑effect snowfall events hap erstwhile acold aerial moves crossed nan warmer reservoir surface, picking up moisture and depositing snowfall connected downwind shores. This intends nan snowfall bands tin beryllium constrictive but intense, causing conditions to alteration quickly from clear to hazardous connected adjacent roads.

Where nan effect is expected

The astir affected zones will beryllium bluish and eastbound parts of Presque Isle County and crossed overmuch of Alpena County. The advisory specifically identifies those counties arsenic nan superior areas. Drivers on cardinal thoroughfares—especially those adjacent nan lakeshore and terrain favouring snowfall set set‑up—should beryllium peculiarly cautious. The operation of snowfall accumulation and gusty winds could trim visibility and make recreation treacherous.

Timing and accumulation

The advisory play runs from early Sunday done to 7 a.m. Monday morning. The expected accumulation scope is 1 to 4 inches, pinch nan anticipation of higher totals successful snow‑band hotspots. While this is mean by beardown winter‑storm standards, nan localized quality of lake‑effect snowfall intends pockets of heavier snowfall are rather possible, moreover if nan broader mean stays successful nan 1‑4 inch range.

Travel and information implications

With snowfall accumulating and winds gusting up to 40 mph, conditions will favour slippery surfaces, reduced visibility and a greater likelihood of driving hazards. The NWS notes nan “combination of accumulating snowfall connected roads and speedy drops successful visibility … will lead to localized hazardous travel.” Motorists are advised to slow down and workout caution, peculiarly connected bridges, overpasses and agrarian roads that whitethorn drift aliases crystal over.

Since snowfall bands tin look abruptly and move quickly, travellers should expect adaptable conditions—even clear stretches tin abruptly springiness measurement to dense flurries and debased visibility wrong short distances. Communities adjacent nan reservoir statement should besides show upwind gusts, which tin raise blowing snowfall and trim visibility to near‑whiteout levels.

Preparedness advice

• Plan to recreation extracurricular of nan advisory model if possible—conditions are little predictable overnight and early Monday.
• If travelling, guarantee vehicles are winter‑ready: bully tyres, afloat fluids, scraping of ice/snow disconnected nan vehicle, and emergency supplies.
• Slow down and support greater pursuing region erstwhile driving.
• Be alert of changing conditions: what looks for illustration safe driving minutes agone whitethorn go unsafe quickly erstwhile a snowfall set moves in.
• For pedestrians: snow‑covered sidewalks and gusty winds whitethorn create drifts aliases trim visibility—take other attraction erstwhile walking, particularly adjacent roads aliases under‑lit areas.

What comes next

After nan advisory lifts astatine 7 a.m. Monday, snowfall bands whitethorn proceed to dissipate but residual snow, slick spots and lingering gusts could linger done nan day. The NWS’s experimental snowfall‑probability devices propose that while nan astir apt result is humble accumulation, localized higher totals cannot beryllium ruled out. As nan aerial moves inland and aboveground temperatures fall, conditions whitethorn modulation to much unchangeable skies, but nan timing remains limited connected really nan lake‑effect bands evolve.