Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
By RALPH ANSAMI
Ironwood — The National Weather Service predicted blizzard-like conditions today throughout the Gogebic Range and Ontonagon County.
From 6 to 12 inches of snow was possible, with winds up to 35 miles per hour gusting from the north at times.
The warning was from 6 a.m. today to 6 a.m. Saturday.
The snow is nothing new, as it has been snowing in Ironwood since Monday.
As usual, the heaviest amounts today were expected in the higher terrains, with the least snow falling south of a line from Marenisco to Bruce Crossing.
The severe weather could make travel “very hazardous,” the weather service warned.
Travelers were advised to keep flashlights, food and water in vehicles in case of emergencies.
High temperatures near 25 degrees were forecast.
There’s snow in the forecast nearly every day for the next week.
Today’s snowfall could set a single day record for Ironwood, dating to 1901.
Ironwood’s record snowfall for the 24-hour period to 7 a.m. on Nov. 10 is 12 inches, set in 1996.
The seasonal record up to Nov. 10 for Ironwood is 41.8 inches, set in 1987, according to the Marquette National Weather Service office.
The Gogebic County Road Commission reminds rural residents vehicles must not be parked on either the roadway nor shoulder after Nov. 1. Vehicles parked in violation of the notice will be towed away at the owner’s expense and subject to fines.
Neither the county nor the state will be liable for damage to vehicles illegally parked.
The road commission and Gogebic County Sheriff’s Department remind all property owners that piling snow high along public roadways and shoulders or pushing snow to the opposite side of the roadway can cause hazardous conditions for motorists.
Violators leave themselves open to fines and lawsuits for public liability and property damage. For a charge to be filed, a police officer must witness the violation or a citizen must file a complaint.
It is recommended when clearing driveways that snow be pushed away from the public road and to the sides of the driveway for the full length. If there is no room for snow along the driveway length, then instead of pushing it onto the public road, it should be hauled away.
All property owners and people hired by the property owner to remove snow are responsible for maintaining safe traffic conditions.
