Blizzard Warning Holds for Iron County as Hurley Braces for 36 Inches of Snow
Nov, 26 2025
By 8 a.m. Wednesday, November 26, 2025, the town of Hurley in Iron County, Wisconsin, was buried under nearly two feet of snow—still falling. Wind howled at 38 miles per hour, reducing visibility to near zero along U.S. Highway 2. Residents huddled indoors, checking battery levels on flashlights and listening to the radio for updates. This wasn’t just a heavy snowfall. It was a full-blown blizzard, and Iron County was ground zero.
Storm Intensifies Over Lake Superior
The storm that began Tuesday evening, November 25, 2025, at 6 p.m. CST, didn’t start as a monster. It began as rain in parts of northern Wisconsin. But as temperatures dropped, the moisture collided with frigid air sweeping off Lake Superior, triggering explosive lake-effect snow. By midnight, National Weather Service meteorologist Ketzel Levens in Duluth, Minnesota confirmed the system had locked in place—pumping snow directly over Iron County and neighboring Ashland County."It’s not just the snow," Levens told Wisconsin Public Radio. "It’s the wind. And the wind is picking up snow from the ground and throwing it back into the air. That’s what makes it a blizzard." By Wednesday morning, Hurley had already received 22 inches. Forecasters predicted another 10 to 14 inches before the storm finally eased.
Blizzard Warning Extended Until Thursday Morning
The National Weather Service initially issued a Winter Storm Watch on Sunday, November 23, 2025, for Iron County and Ashland County. But by Tuesday night, the watch upgraded to a blizzard warning—the most severe designation. For Iron County, that warning lasts until 6 a.m. Thursday, November 27, 2025. Meanwhile, Douglas County and Bayfield County saw their warnings expire at midnight Wednesday.Why the difference? Geography. Hurley sits just five miles inland from Lake Superior, directly in the path of the snow machine. The lake’s relatively warm waters (still around 45°F in late November) feed moisture into the frigid air, creating a conveyor belt of snow that stalls over the high ground of the Gogebic Range. The result? Hurley is on track to break its own record—36 inches total. That’s more than three feet of snow in under 48 hours.
Highways Become Death Traps
U.S. Highway 2 and U.S. Highway 63, the two main arteries through northern Wisconsin, are effectively closed. State patrol units reported multiple rollovers and pileups by midday Wednesday. Emergency crews couldn’t reach stranded motorists in some areas—snowplows themselves got stuck."We had a trucker call in from near the Michigan border," said a dispatcher from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. "Said he could see the headlights of the car in front of him, but not the wheels. Then—nothing. Just white. He spent six hours in his cab before a rescue team got to him. He’s lucky to be alive."
Bridges and overpasses are especially dangerous. They freeze faster than roadways. The National Weather Service warned that even if snow stops falling, black ice will linger for days. Travel is not just discouraged—it’s life-threatening.
Thanksgiving Travel at Risk
The timing couldn’t be worse. Wednesday, November 26, 2025, was supposed to be the first day of Thanksgiving travel. Families from Milwaukee and Madison were planning drives to visit relatives in Iron County. Now, those plans are canceled. Schools and businesses shuttered. Even the Bad River Reservation and Lac du Flambeau Band suspended all non-emergency travel."We’ve got elders who need medicine," said tribal council member Angela Whitefeather. "We’re using snowmobiles and ATVs to deliver it. No cars. Not worth the risk."
Another Storm Looms
The current storm is expected to weaken by Thursday afternoon. But the National Weather Service is already watching the next one. A second system is forming over the northern Plains and could slam into Wisconsin between Friday, November 28, and Sunday, November 30, 2025—right as people try to return home after Thanksgiving."It’s too early to say where it’ll hit," Levens admitted. "But the pattern is set. Cold air is locked in. Moisture is still flowing off the lake. We could get another 6 to 12 inches. Maybe more."
That means Iron County might be buried under nearly five feet of snow by the end of the weekend. And with power outages already affecting over 12,000 homes across the region, the human toll could be severe.
What’s Being Done
Local emergency managers have opened warming centers in Hurley, Ashland, and Superior. The Red Cross is distributing blankets, bottled water, and non-perishable food. Hospitals are operating on backup generators. The National Weather Service continues to urge residents to stay inside, charge all devices, and check on neighbors—especially the elderly and those with medical needs."This isn’t just weather," said Dr. Evelyn Ruiz, a public health nurse in Iron County. "It’s a health crisis. Hypothermia. Carbon monoxide poisoning from improper generators. Falls on ice. We’re bracing for a spike in ER visits."
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Hurley getting so much more snow than other towns?
Hurley sits directly downwind of Lake Superior, where cold air picks up moisture from the lake’s relatively warm surface and dumps it as snow over the high terrain of the Gogebic Range. This lake-effect mechanism can produce snowfall rates of 2 to 3 inches per hour—far exceeding normal snowstorms. Other towns farther south or inland don’t get this concentrated effect.
How does this affect public health in northern Wisconsin?
Beyond hypothermia and falls, the storm increases risks from carbon monoxide poisoning due to improper generator use, delayed medical care, and mental health strain from isolation. Hospitals in Iron County are already seeing more emergency cases. Elderly residents without heat or mobility are especially vulnerable, prompting community outreach teams to conduct door-to-door wellness checks.
What’s the timeline for snow removal and road clearing?
Snowplows can’t operate safely in blizzard conditions. Crews are waiting until winds drop below 20 mph and visibility improves—likely not until Friday. Even then, with another storm possible over the weekend, plowing may be limited to main roads first. Side streets and rural routes could remain impassable for days.
Is this storm unusual for November in Wisconsin?
Yes. While heavy lake-effect snow is common in January and February, 30+ inches in 48 hours in late November is rare. Hurley’s average November total is just 18 inches. This storm is nearly double that in under two days. Climate scientists note that warmer lake temperatures due to climate change are increasing the frequency and intensity of late-season lake-effect events like this one.
Why is the blizzard warning longer in Iron County than in nearby counties?
Iron County’s northern edge remains under direct influence of the storm’s slow-moving low-pressure system and persistent lake-effect bands. While other areas saw the system move eastward by Wednesday night, the snow machine over Hurley and Ashland kept churning. The National Weather Service extended the warning to account for continued heavy snow and wind until Thursday morning.
What should residents do if they lose power?
Keep freezers closed to preserve food. Use battery-powered lights, not candles. Never use a gas stove or grill indoors—it produces deadly carbon monoxide. Charge phones and medical devices before the outage. If you have a generator, place it outside, at least 20 feet from windows. Check on neighbors, especially those with medical conditions or mobility issues.