Heavy Snow Warnings Issued as 11 Inches Possible

Winter storm watches in effect for parts of Michigan and Maine as abnormally warm temperatures give way to potential heavy snow and ice.

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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The National Weather Service has issued winter storm watches for parts of Michigan and Maine, warning of the potential for heavy snow, sleet, and freezing rain later this week. Meteorologists say up to 11 inches of snow could fall in some areas, which could catch some residents off guard after recent unseasonably warm temperatures.

Why it matters

Heavy late-season snowstorms can disrupt travel, damage power lines, and pose safety risks, especially in areas that have already experienced an abnormally warm start to spring. The NWS is urging residents in the affected regions to closely monitor weather forecasts as the storm approaches.

The details

The NWS office in Marquette, Michigan has issued a winter storm watch for Marquette and Gwinn counties, warning of possible heavy snow accumulations of 3 to 9 inches from Tuesday evening through Wednesday afternoon. Meanwhile, the NWS office in Caribou, Maine has issued two winter storm watches for several northern counties, with the potential for up to 11 inches of snow and up to 3/10 of an inch of ice accumulation, depending on location.

  • The Michigan winter storm watch will be in effect from Tuesday evening through Wednesday afternoon.
  • The Maine winter storm watches will be in effect from Wednesday morning through Thursday morning.

The players

National Weather Service (NWS)

The National Weather Service is the primary source of weather data, forecasts and warnings for the United States.

Greg Sova

A meteorologist with the NWS office in Marquette, Michigan.

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What they’re saying

“Travel could be very difficult. The hazardous conditions will impact the Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning commutes.”

— NWS Marquette

“Northern areas are most likely to see mostly snow and sleet, while southern areas will see greater potential for impactful freezing rain.”

— NWS Caribou

What’s next

The winter storm watches could be upgraded to winter storm warnings as the storms get closer and forecasters gain more confidence in the timing and severity of the weather systems.

The takeaway

This late-season winter storm is a reminder that winter weather can still pose a threat even as temperatures start to warm up, underscoring the importance of staying vigilant and prepared for changing conditions throughout the spring season.