(WWJ) Spring officially arrives on Friday, but no one told Old Man Winter. The third week of March is starting with blizzard conditions in Michigan's Upper Peninsula and a Wind Advisory in southeastern lower Michigan.
The National Weather Service reported 26 inches of snow in Menominee County and 23 inches in Newberry in the Upper Peninsula as of Sunday night.
"There will be a number a sites that will be breaking the two feet mark and maybe even approaching three feet," Joe Phillips from the Marquette National Weather Service office told WWJ's Ryan Wrecker on Monday morning.
Phillips said there are a number of reports of cars being stuck in snow drifts. Emergency Management officials are urging people to stay home if they can.
Michigan State Police in northern Lower Michigan posted a message Monday morning that said "Some of the roads throughout the Gaylord and Alpena Post areas are impassable and Alpena County is experiencing power outages. Do not drive because there is a good chance you will get stuck.
Stay home. Stay safe.
"Many locations across the Upper Peninsula of Michigan still have 20-50 inches of snow on the ground, prior to the arrival of the current storm," said AccuWeather Meteorologist Brandon Buckingham. "After the megastorm moves through, some locales may be able to hold onto snowpack well into the month of April, possibly into May."
High winds and power outages are expected across much of the state.
The Wind Advisory is for Macomb, Oakland, Wayne, Monroe, Washtenaw, Genesee, Lapeer, St. Clair, Shiawassee, Livingston and Lenawee counties until midnight Monday.
Strong winds, 20 to 30 mph with gusts of 40 to 50 mph, will continue this morning with falling temperatures continuing to support strong wind potential through Monday afternoon and evening, according to the National Weather Service.
On Sunday, Governor Whitmer activated the State Emergency Operations Center due to the threat of significant weather impacts across Michigan.
“This morning, I am activating our State Emergency Operations Center to ensure coordination efforts are in place ahead of potential weather-related impacts across much of the state in the next 24 to 36 hours,” said Governor Whitmer in a statement. “This action ensures the state can monitor and respond should any local communities need resources or support. Together we will work to keep all Michiganders warm and safe.”