The spatial distribution of this event is defined by geographic elevation and downwind exposure to prevailing winds. The updated snowfall forecast map shows the heaviest totals hugging northern-facing slopes and immediate coastal belts.
| Impact Zone | Projected Snowfall | Peak Wind Gusts | Primary Operational Hazard |
|---|---|---|---|
| High-Elevation Upper Peninsula (Marquette/Baraga Ridges) | 20, 24 inches | 45, 55 mph | Severe whiteouts, impassable mountain highways |
| Keweenaw Peninsula Shoreline | 16, 22 inches | 50, 60 mph | Coastal flooding, zero-visibility blizzard corridors |
| Northern Lower Peninsula (Highland Belt) | 10, 15 inches | 35, 45 mph | Hazardous road conditions, slick highway interchanges |
| Interior Western Upper Peninsula | 12, 18 inches | 30, 40 mph | Downed timber, localized utility line breaks |
These numbers highlight a sharp accumulation gradient. Motorists driving just 30 miles inland can move from manageable 6-inch accumulations into severe drifts topping two feet. State police and emergency services stress that standard clearing schedules cannot keep pace with this localized volume.
