A vehicle on Ohio Street in Marquette is buried under the recent snowfall. (Journal photo by Corey Kelly)

MARQUETTE — Snow and precipitation records were broken during the snowstorm that hit the region Tuesday night and into this morning.

The National Weather Service in Negaunee Township reported a record 16.5 inches of snow fell in the local area, breaking the 1965 record of 13.5 inches.

The precipitation total was 1.30 inches, breaking the record of 1.28 inches set in 1984.

Meteorologist Matt Zika said some aspects of the storm were a bit unusual, noting some weather events “overachieve.”

“This one falls into that category,” Zika said.

He said that leading up to the snowstorm, the NWS computer models used to make forecasts indicated there might not be that big of a snowfall.

“Yesterday, things kind of turned,” Zika said. “It was much more obvious it was going to be a significant U.P.-wide event.”

Between 25 and 30 inches of snow were recorded in the Huron Highlands and north of Negaunee, he said, with the area east of Negaunee recording 26 inches.

“There definitely was a maximum here at the higher terrain in Marquette County,” Zika said.

The storm hit other parts of the Upper Peninsula as well.

Zika said that the southernmost regions of the U.P. had totals in the 10- to 15-inch range.

“What’s considered the ‘banana belt,’ they did very well for this storm,” Zika said.

The local forecast, he said, calls for one more snow system in the coming days — a lighter one — on Thursday, with 1 to 3 inches expected.

East of Munising, though, people can expect 3 to 6 inches, Zika said.

A respite from the snow probably is on the way.

“It definitely looks quieter over the weekend and then into next week,” he said.

The NWS forecast calls for a 30 percent chance of snow tonight, with a chance of snow before 7 a.m. Thursday likely followed by snow showers after 1 p.m.

The U.P. 200, Midnight Run and Jack Pine 30 sled dog races should have no problem with a lack of snow.

“The weather looks perfect for sled dogs this weekend,” Zika said.

The 230-mile U.P. 200 and 90-mile Midnight Run begin on Friday night while the 26-mile Jack Pine 30 takes place on Saturday.

With the onslaught of snow, schools closed for today, including Northern Michigan University, Marquette Area Public Schools, Negaunee Public Schools, Ishpeming Public Schools, NICE Community Schools and Gwinn Area Community Schools.

An announcement regarding NMU evening classes was to have been made by 2 p.m. today.

Christie Bleck can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 250.