Temperatures around freezing brought wet, heavy snow on Wednesday before a blizzard was forecast for Wednesday afternoon and into Thursday. Falling temperatures and decreasing visibility make driving dangerous in the next few days. (Graham Jaehnig/Daily Mining Gazette)

HOUGHTON — Schools across the Copper Country as well as other areas of the Upper Peninsula announced closures Wednesday ahead of the first major winter storm forecast for the 2024-2025 winter season. Classes have been canceled at schools in the Copper Country Intermediate School District in Baraga, Houghton, Keweenaw and Ontonagon counties, as well as schools in Manistique, Munising and Republic-Michigamme.

A winter storm warning issued by the National Weather Service office in Marquette at 5:22 a.m. Wednesday for the four-county area as well as several other counties in western and central UP calls for moderate to heavy lake snowfall today and tonight is expected.

Combined with west-northwest winds gusting up to 40 mph, this will result in blowing snow/limited visibility and wind chills in the single digits above and below zero.

The severe weather warning remains in force until Thursday at 1 p.m.

Hancock Public Schools Superintendent Chris Salani announced cancellations at 5:22 a.m. Wednesday.

Houghton-Portage Township Schools Superintendent Anders Hill sent an email announcing Wednesday. School ends at 5:24 a.m

By 1 p.m. Thursday, 10 to 20 cm of snow is forecast, with northwest winds of 20 mph and gusts up to 40 mph.