Blizzard Warning Issued as 4 Feet of Snow, 70 mph Winds Approach: 'Avoid Traveling if at All Possible'

Michigan's Upper Peninsula is about to get hit hard, and the timing could not be more ironic (well, at least for folks who aren't familiar with Michigan's back-and-forth weather). With spring officially arriving in just seven days, a potentially historic blizzard is bearing down on nearly the entire U.P., and meteorologists are calling it one of the most significant winter storms the region has faced in years.

The National Weather Service in Marquette has issued Blizzard Warnings across almost the entire Upper Peninsula, with the storm window running from late Saturday night through Monday. Widespread snowfall of one to three feet is expected, with some areas in the central and eastern U.P. potentially seeing up to four feet of accumulation.

Michigan's Upper Peninsula: Up to 4 Feet of Snow, Near-Zero Visibility

Snowfall rates of one to three inches per hour are forecast throughout Sunday, with winds gusting to 70 mph driving near-zero visibility and significant blowing and drifting snow. Snow drifts of several feet are possible, and the NWS warns that heavy snow loads could cause building roofs to collapse.

"Travel will quickly become very dangerous to impossible with snowfall rates of 1-3 inches per hour on Sunday," NWS meteorologists in Marquette said. "Please avoid traveling if at all possible Sunday into Monday."

Roads across the region are expected to become treacherous and potentially impassable, with widespread power outages and tree damage also likely. Recovery time is expected to be prolonged given the extreme nature of the event.

Additional weather alerts stretching across Michigan include Winter Storm Warnings, Winter Weather Advisories, and High Wind Warnings.