Winter is in full effect | News, sports, jobs

Temperatures around freezing made for wet, heavy snow Wednesday ahead of a blizzard predicted Wednesday afternoon and into Thursday. Falling temperatures and decreasing visibility will make driving dangerous for the next few days. (Graham Jaehnig/Daily Mining Gazette)

HOUGHTON – Schools throughout the Copper Country as well as other areas of the Upper Peninsula announced closings for Wednesday ahead of the first major winter storm forecast of the 2024-2025 winter season. Classes at schools in the Copper Country Intermediate School District in Baraga, Houghton, Keweenaw and Ontonagon counties were canceled, as well as schools in Manistique, Munising and Republic-Michigamme.

A winter storm warning issued by the National Weather Service office in Marquette at 5:22 a.m. Wednesday for the four counties along with several other counties in western and central UP calls for moderate to heavy snowfall expected today and tonight.

This combined with west-northwest winds gusting to 40 mph will lead to blowing snow/reduced visibility as well as single digit wind chills above and below zero.

The storm warning will remain in effect until 1 p.m. Thursday.

Hancock Public Schools Superintendent Chris Salani announced the cancellations at 5:22 a.m. Wednesday.

Houghton-Portage Township Schools Superintendent Anders Hill sent an email making the announcement Wednesday. The school closes at 05.24

Four to eight inches of snow is forecast for 1 PM Thursday, with northwest winds at 20 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph forecast.