Winter lingers: What Michigan can expect after the big blizzard

The massive blizzard that shut down much of northern Michigan has finally moved on, but it left behind a mess that won’t vanish overnight. Places like Marquette and Negaunee just set new snow records in 48 hours, burying roads under heavy drifts. The Upper Peninsula and areas from Traverse City to the Mackinac Bridge are now dealing with icy highways that won’t thaw quickly because temperatures are stuck in the teens and low 20s. Even though the worst of the storm is over, winter isn’t done yet. Small bursts of snow will keep popping up through early April, mostly in short, quick flurries rather than full-blown storms. Wednesday could bring another round along Lake Michigan’s shore, while the rest of the state sees lighter activity. The upside? No more giant blizzards are expected—just messy road conditions and minor disruptions.Temperatures are also playing a wild game of tag. Southern Michigan might hit 50 degrees by Thursday, while the north barely scrapes past 20. Then comes a weekend warm-up that could push some areas into the 70s, though forecasters are still double-checking those predictions. This back-and-forth pattern shows Michigan caught between warm air pushing from the Southwest and stubborn cold lingering in the Northeast. Road crews won’t have an easy time either. Packed snow and ice will stick around until at least Thursday, when warmer air finally arrives. Until then, travel in the north remains risky. Southern Michigan will have a slight advantage, with temperatures climbing above freezing sooner. Spring is taking its time, and the weather isn’t done surprising us yet.