“Northern Michigan ice storm was worst in over 100 years”
NORTHERN MICHIGAN — Northern Michigan’s devastating ice storm, which crippled energy grids, snapped timber like matchsticks and left whole communities at nighttime, is being known as one of the vital extreme climate occasions within the area in over a century.
“This is easily the worst ice storm in modern times — in the last 50 years — and you have to go back all the way to 1922 to find something even remotely close,” stated Harold Dippman, meteorologist with the Nationwide Climate Service workplace in Gaylord. “It’s a generational storm, one people will talk about for the rest of their lives.”
An ice-glazed tree stands tall following a extreme ice storm in Northern Michigan.
Although particular statewide icing information are nonetheless being assessed, the occasion’s extended period, relentless rainfall and catastrophic harm clearly set it aside. Between Friday night and Monday morning, some areas noticed 2-5 inches of precipitation — a lot of which froze to timber and energy traces, resulting in widespread outages and highway closures.
“It was catastrophic,” Dippman stated. “Roads were impassable for almost 48 hours. There are still places off the beaten path that you can’t access. In terms of infrastructure, the power grid will likely need to be rebuilt from the substations out to neighborhoods.”
Downed energy poles and features are seen on South Otsego Avenue in Gaylord on Monday, March 31, 2025.
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A big tree snapped underneath the burden of ice and collapsed onto energy traces alongside Boyne Metropolis Street on Sunday, March 30, 2025. Scenes like this had been widespread following the extreme ice storm.
The meteorological setup was a “textbook” state of affairs for extended icing: a stalled entrance lingered over Northern Michigan whereas chilly air remained locked in place because of an Arctic high-pressure system to the northeast. Temperatures hovered within the harmful 31–32 diploma vary for days, permitting spherical after spherical of freezing rain to coat the area.
Trying forward, the forecast provides some short-term aid — however not with out dangers. Hotter temperatures are anticipated to succeed in the 40s and even 50s by Friday, which is able to assist soften lingering ice. Nonetheless, sturdy winds with gusts over 40 mph are anticipated late Wednesday into Thursday, doubtlessly hampering restoration efforts.
“There’s also a real danger from falling ice,” Dippman warned. “Some of that ice is heavy, and it’s coming down from tree branches. Be aware of your surroundings.”
Crews work to clear fallen limbs and restore energy alongside Boyne Metropolis Street in Charlevoix County on Tuesday, April 1, 2025 following the historic ice storm that swept by means of Northern Michigan.
Dave Trower of Boyne Metropolis fills a number of fuel cans on the Marathon station on Monday, March 31, 2025 as widespread energy outages proceed throughout the area following a weekend ice storm. Like many residents, Trower is counting on a generator to energy his house through the prolonged blackout.
He additionally harassed generator security for households nonetheless with out energy: “Make sure your generator is properly ventilated. Carbon monoxide buildup can be deadly.”
Dippman thanked line employees and emergency crews who’re working nonstop to revive important providers.
“Given the historic and catastrophic nature of this event, their efforts cannot be overstated,” he stated.
— Contact reporter Annie Doyle at 231-675-0099 and [email protected].
This text initially appeared on The Petoskey Information-Evaluate: National Weather Service: Northern Michigan ice storm worst in over 100 years
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