A long period of lake effect snow is expected to begin on Thanksgiving

NORTHERN MICHIGAN (WPBN/WGTU) — In about a week, it will look more like deep winter across northern Michigan.

A prolonged lake effect snow event will begin late Thursday and continue into early next week. Snow will accumulate in northern Michigan’s typical snow belts. Of course, those not in the snow belts and away from the effects of lake effect snow will see significantly less in lake effect snow.

Thanksgiving: The morning will be calm with a few snow showers, but lake effect snow will begin to increase during the afternoon/evening hours, with snow showers spreading downwind of the Great Lakes as colder temperatures move in.

Highs: Thanksgiving will reach the mid 30s. NW wind 15-20 mph.

Friday: Lake effect snow goes into full swing Friday, with snowfall (possibly heavy) in Northern Michigan’s snowbelts and hazardous driving on some area roads/highways Friday.

Highs will reach the low/mid 30s.

Saturday: Lake effect snow continues and there is a chance of intense, heavy snow bands across the northwest snow belt. Be careful on the roads as visibility and driving conditions can deteriorate very quickly during snow squalls.

Temperatures will remain around freezing everywhere, with a breezy northwest wind of 10 to 15 mph.

Lake effect snowfall (heavy at times) will continue unabated into the weekend as the overall pattern remains the same and cold air traverses the much warmer waters of the Great Lakes. In fact, this will continue into early next week.

For more forecast details, visit the UpNorthLive Storm Team weather page.