A Marq-Tran bus is shown driving along West Washington Street during the storm in Marquette on Thursday. (Journal photo by Randy Crouch)

By RANDY CROUCH

Journal Staff Writer

MARQUETTE — Record snowfall and low visibility caused cancellations throughout the Upper Peninsula Thursday.

According to the National Weather Service in Negaunee, Marquette County saw a record 16 inches of snow over the course of the day, breaking the previous record of 6 inches on Feb. 23, 1990.

Schools throughout the U.P. began to announce closures Wednesday evening in anticipation of the storm, with Northern Michigan University announcing its closure early Thursday morning.

Marquette Area Public Schools, Gwinn Area Community Schools and NICE Community Schools were also among those closed in the Marquette area.

Other schools throughout the U.P. including Escanaba, Ironwood, Munising, Superior Central, Republic-Michigamme, L’Anse, Menominee and Gladstone were among those closed in every corner of the U.P.

The heavy winter storm impacted travel across the northern part of the United States, with winter storm warnings being issued from California to Maine. Thousands of customers in lower Michigan and Wisconsin were without power on Thursday.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, in an email, encouraged Michigan residents to stay safe during the storm.

“My administration will continue to monitor severe weather situations and offer further relief to any affected communities,” Whitmer said. “Let’s stay safe together.”

The Michigan State Police issued a press release urging residents to stay safe and calm while dealing with the challenges brought by the storm.

“This intense blast of winter severely impacted our communities across the state,” said Capt. Kevin Sweeney, deputy state director of Emergency Management and Homeland Security and commander of the MSP/EMHSD in the release. “We are closely monitoring the situation to ensure the public health and safety of Michigan citizens.”

The MSP suggests that residents stay 25 feet away from downed power lines, to assume that every downed line is live and dangerous, and to immediately call 911 to report fallen power lines. They also ask residents to check on elderly and disabled neighbors to ensure they are safe.

A winter storm warning remained in place until about 2 a.m. today, according to the National Weather Service.

Randy Crouch can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 242. His email address is rcrouch@miningjournal.net.