A pickup truck pulled a van out of a Marquette parking lot where it was stuck during Thursday’s storm. After record snowfall, driving conditions could still be dangerous in some areas. (Journal photo by Lisa Bowers)

By ALEXANDRIA

BOURNONVILLE

Journal Staff Writer

MARQUETTE — Across the Upper Peninsula, Thursday’s winter storm saw a record 13.6 inches of snowfall, reported forcaster Joe Phillips of the National Weather Service’s Negaunee office. Another record was set with 1.5 inches of liquid in the snow.

Larger amounts of snow were observed in the northern parts of the U.P. while southern areas such as Menominee only got four to five inches of snowfall. The Escanaba area received approximately 10 inches. Phillips reported the brunt of the snow as being in Marquette and Delta counties, each getting an average of a foot. However, amounts of snow decreased in the western parts of the U.P.

As plows cleared out the main roads, many cars were getting stuck in the thick snow pushed along side streets. Plenty of semi trucks in the area also required help from the police department and sheriff’s office when they got stuck in the snow.

Central Dispatch Manager Jerry Hebert reported more than 70 calls during the storm for similar traffic problems. No fatalities or serious injuries occurred.

Due to the consistent cold temperatures, the roads’ icy conditions will stay the same for the foreseeable future unless chemical treatment is applied or the ice is manually broken up. Authorities warn residents to be aware of slippery conditions while driving.

Marquette County Sheriff Gregory Zyburt advised the public to always be ready to get stuck when they go out for a drive in the snow. “We get these calls and these people are in slippers and they’re not in a winter coat and they’re just not prepared for the elements…If you get stuck you better be ready to be out there for an hour in the cold. Shovels, some cat litter, jacket, gloves and a good hat,” he said.

Alexandria Bournonville can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 206. Her email address is abournonville@miningjournal.net.