An intense low pressure system tracking from the Plains into the Lower Great Lakes brought widespread heavy snow and blowing snow to Upper Michigan on the 26th and 27th. Blizzard conditions occurred over Marquette and Alger County from the evening of the 26th into early afternoon on the 27th.

Blizzard in ALGER, MICHIGAN
From 26-FEB-09 23:00:00 to 27-FEB-09 13:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Whiteout conditions in snow and blowing snow closed Highway M-28 from Kawbawgum Road in eastern Marquette County to Munising. Drifting snow made driving difficult on other highways as side roads drifted shut. Schools were closed throughout Alger County on the 27th. Total snow amounts of eight inches were common across the county.

Winter Storm in SOUTHERN HOUGHTON, MICHIGAN
From 26-FEB-09 15:00:00 to 27-FEB-09 04:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Six inches of wet snow fell along and north of Highway M-38. North winds gusting over 25 mph at times also caused some blowing and drifting of snow.

Winter Weather in NORTHERN HOUGHTON, MICHIGAN
From 26-FEB-09 15:00:00 to 27-FEB-09 11:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Storm spotter snowfall totals included 8.5 inches at Painesdale, 6.5 inches near Twin Lakes and around 5 inches at Houghton and Freda. North winds gusting over 30 mph at times also caused considerable blowing and drifting of snow. Morning classes were cancelled at the Keweenaw-Houghton Area Schools on the 27th.

Winter Weather in KEWEENAW, MICHIGAN
From 26-FEB-09 15:00:00 to 27-FEB-09 11:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Widespread storm total snowfall amounts of four to six inches were reported throughout the county.  North to northeast winds gusting over 30 mph at times also caused considerable blowing and drifting of snow.  Morning classes were cancelled at the Keweenaw-Houghton Area Schools on the 27th.

Winter Weather in IRON, MICHIGAN
From 26-FEB-09 17:00:00 to 27-FEB-09 00:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Three to four inches of snow was reported in Crystal Falls with some blowing and drifting of snow.

Blizzard in MARQUETTE, MICHIGAN
From 26-FEB-09 23:00:00 to 27-FEB-09 13:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Whiteout conditions in snow and blowing snow closed Highway M-28 from Kawbawgum Road in eastern Marquette County to Munising. Drifting and blowing snow made driving difficult on other highways as well. Two Marquette County sander trucks collided on US-41 near the rock cut by Welcome Center. No injuries were reported from the accident, but there was extensive damage to a least one of the plows. Schools throughout much of Marquette County were cancelled on the 27th. Total snow amounts of eight inches or more were reported near Watson and at the National Weather Service in Negaunee Township.

Winter Storm in SOUTHERN SCHOOLCRAFT, MICHIGAN
From 26-FEB-09 19:00:00 to 27-FEB-09 04:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Five to six of total snow was reported at Manistique. North wind gusting to 25 mph at times caused some blowing and drifting of snow as well.

Winter Storm in NORTHERN SCHOOLCRAFT, MICHIGAN
From 26-FEB-09 19:00:00 to 27-FEB-09 04:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Six inches was reported in the vicinity of Steuben. North winds gusting over 25 mph at times also caused some blowing and drifting of snow.

Winter Storm in GOGEBIC, MICHIGAN
From 26-FEB-09 13:00:00 to 27-FEB-09 04:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Bessemer received eight inches of snow in 12 hours. North wind gusting over 25 mph at times also caused some blowing and drifting of snow.

Winter Storm in ONTONAGON, MICHIGAN
From 26-FEB-09 15:00:00 to 27-FEB-09 04:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Observers measured five to six inches of total snowfall from Rockland to Ontonagon.  North winds gusting to 30 mph at times also caused some blowing and drifting of snow.

Winter Storm in BARAGA, MICHIGAN
From 26-FEB-09 15:00:00 to 27-FEB-09 04:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

The observer in L'anse measured eight inches of snow in 12 hours. North winds gusting to 30 mph also caused some blowing and drifting of snow.

Winter Storm in DICKINSON, MICHIGAN
From 26-FEB-09 16:00:00 to 27-FEB-09 00:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Storm spotter snowfall totals included eight inches in Iron Mountain and more than six inches in Hardwood.  North winds gusting to 30 mph at times also caused blowing and drifting of snow. Many schools throughout Dickinson County were on a two-hour delay on the 27th due to the harsh winter weather.

Winter Storm in MENOMINEE, MICHIGAN
From 26-FEB-09 16:00:00 to 27-FEB-09 00:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Storm total snowfall amounts around six inches were reported in Menominee. Northeast winds gusting to 40 mph at times caused considerable blowing and drifting of snow with occasional whiteout conditions on the evening of the 26th.  Schools throughout Menominee County were cancelled on the 27th.

Winter Storm in DELTA, MICHIGAN
From 26-FEB-09 18:00:00 to 27-FEB-09 04:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

A widespread five to eight inches of total snow was reported across Delta County. North winds gusting to 30 mph at times also caused considerable blowing and drifting of snow.  Schools throughout Delta County were closed on the 27th.

Winter Storm in LUCE, MICHIGAN
From 26-FEB-09 20:00:00 to 27-FEB-09 04:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Six inches of total snow fell in Newberry.  North winds gusting to 25 mph at times also caused some blowing and drifting of snow.