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Heavy Snow, Gusty Winds Ensnarl the Great Lakes
November 26, 2025 at 10:22 PM EST
UPDATED by WeatherBug Meteorologists
Mother Nature will bring winter-like weather to much of the Upper Midwest and Great Lakes through Thanksgiving.
A potent low pressure system will move across the northern Great Lakes today and into eastern Canada early on Thanksgiving morning. A band of heavy, wet snow, including periodic blizzard conditions, will transition from eastern Minnesota and northern Wisconsin this morning to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and western Lower Peninsula by this afternoon in the storm’s cold northern flank.
Widespread Winter Storm Warnings and Winter Weather Advisories remain in effect across northern Wisconsin eastward into Michigan. Sporadic Blizzard Warnings remain in effect for far northern Wisconsin into portions of Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Park Fallas, Wis., and Marquette to Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., are included.
One to 2-inch plus rates will pile up snow quickly, particularly in the taller terrain just south of the Lake Superior shoreline. Eight to 22 inches are forecast, with locally up to 30 inches possible. Lower 2 to 7-inch totals will be common in Minnesota and Wisconsin.
The second part of the storm will combine cold, Canadian air and gusty winds flowing over the Great Lakes, leading to multiple, potentially persistent lake-effect snow bands during a busy travel time in the Lower and eastern Great Lakes. The most consistent bands will lead to 1-to-2 foot accumulation south of Buffalo, N.Y., to Erie, Pa. Several inches will blanket the ground from Cleveland’s northeastern suburbs to Ashtabula, Ohio. Around Kalamazoo and north of Big Rapids to Cadillac, Mich., snow totals of 4 to 12 inches are possible.
Winter Storm Warnings and Winter Weather Advisories cover much of western/northern Michigan. Lake-Effect Snow Warnings and Winter Weather Advisories remain in effect across northeastern Ohio, northwestern Pennsylvania, and western New York State through Thursday evening or Friday morning.
Snow will be accompanied by frequent gusts of 40 to 55 mph, which will lead to extremely difficult, if not impossible travel. This includes parts of Interstates 35, 75, 81, 90, and 94 from Minnesota to western New York State. Visibility will fall below a quarter mile or less, especially in the most persistent, intense lake-effect snow bands.
So far, the Dakotas and western to north-central Minnesota have picked up 4 to 8 inches of snow with locally higher amounts. Both LaMoure and Victor, N.D., measured 8 inches of snow from this storm. Snow reports of 6.5 to 7 inches of snow have been reported near Brainerd, Minn. where a few more inches may fall this morning before the storm ends.
Snow isn’t the storm’s only legacy. Gusty winds capable of knocking out power and making travel difficult for high-profile vehicles will slowly end from west to east throughout the abbreviated holiday workweek. High Wind Advisories and a few High Wind Warnings remain in effect from Michigan, Ohio, parts of western Pennsylvania, and western New York. Detroit, Indianapolis, Cleveland and Toledo, Ohio, Erie, Pa., and Buffalo, N.Y., are included.
The lake-effect snow machine will continue to produce rounds of snow into Friday, especially across western New York, northwestern Pennsylvania, and northeastern Ohio where a few additional inches of snow accumulation are likely.
Be sure to download the WeatherBug app to stay up to date on the latest on this changing weather. It’s never too early to have a supply kit packed in case of inclement weather. A simple kit including a weather radio, water, blankets, batteries and non-perishable food items will go a long way in the event of a power outage.
A potent low pressure system will move across the northern Great Lakes today and into eastern Canada early on Thanksgiving morning. A band of heavy, wet snow, including periodic blizzard conditions, will transition from eastern Minnesota and northern Wisconsin this morning to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and western Lower Peninsula by this afternoon in the storm’s cold northern flank.
Widespread Winter Storm Warnings and Winter Weather Advisories remain in effect across northern Wisconsin eastward into Michigan. Sporadic Blizzard Warnings remain in effect for far northern Wisconsin into portions of Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Park Fallas, Wis., and Marquette to Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., are included.
One to 2-inch plus rates will pile up snow quickly, particularly in the taller terrain just south of the Lake Superior shoreline. Eight to 22 inches are forecast, with locally up to 30 inches possible. Lower 2 to 7-inch totals will be common in Minnesota and Wisconsin.
The second part of the storm will combine cold, Canadian air and gusty winds flowing over the Great Lakes, leading to multiple, potentially persistent lake-effect snow bands during a busy travel time in the Lower and eastern Great Lakes. The most consistent bands will lead to 1-to-2 foot accumulation south of Buffalo, N.Y., to Erie, Pa. Several inches will blanket the ground from Cleveland’s northeastern suburbs to Ashtabula, Ohio. Around Kalamazoo and north of Big Rapids to Cadillac, Mich., snow totals of 4 to 12 inches are possible.
Winter Storm Warnings and Winter Weather Advisories cover much of western/northern Michigan. Lake-Effect Snow Warnings and Winter Weather Advisories remain in effect across northeastern Ohio, northwestern Pennsylvania, and western New York State through Thursday evening or Friday morning.
Snow will be accompanied by frequent gusts of 40 to 55 mph, which will lead to extremely difficult, if not impossible travel. This includes parts of Interstates 35, 75, 81, 90, and 94 from Minnesota to western New York State. Visibility will fall below a quarter mile or less, especially in the most persistent, intense lake-effect snow bands.
So far, the Dakotas and western to north-central Minnesota have picked up 4 to 8 inches of snow with locally higher amounts. Both LaMoure and Victor, N.D., measured 8 inches of snow from this storm. Snow reports of 6.5 to 7 inches of snow have been reported near Brainerd, Minn. where a few more inches may fall this morning before the storm ends.
Snow isn’t the storm’s only legacy. Gusty winds capable of knocking out power and making travel difficult for high-profile vehicles will slowly end from west to east throughout the abbreviated holiday workweek. High Wind Advisories and a few High Wind Warnings remain in effect from Michigan, Ohio, parts of western Pennsylvania, and western New York. Detroit, Indianapolis, Cleveland and Toledo, Ohio, Erie, Pa., and Buffalo, N.Y., are included.
The lake-effect snow machine will continue to produce rounds of snow into Friday, especially across western New York, northwestern Pennsylvania, and northeastern Ohio where a few additional inches of snow accumulation are likely.
Be sure to download the WeatherBug app to stay up to date on the latest on this changing weather. It’s never too early to have a supply kit packed in case of inclement weather. A simple kit including a weather radio, water, blankets, batteries and non-perishable food items will go a long way in the event of a power outage.