Traverse City Trail Report – 12/26
TRAVERSE CITY AREA UPDATE via Ranch Rudolf – 12/26
And update for 12/27:
On Tuesday, 12/27, we will be open 11am to 6pm with food available at the counter 12pm to 4pm.
The 26th was our first official day of snowmobile season, it was great to see so many of you out and enjoying the trails and snow! A big thank you to the VOLUNTEERS at the Grand Traverse Area Snowmobile Club who were out grooming 👏👏. The north and east trails were done; there was also much cleanup and downed trees/branches that was taken care of on these trails. The west trail will be groomed on 12/27. Trails are in very good shape overall considering we really had no base to start with before the storm.
The time is now!
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Area Reports:
Grand Traverse Area Snowmobile Club on Facebook >>>>
Visit Grand Traverse Area Snowmobile Club Trail Report on MSA >>>>
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Postings From Regional Pages On Facebook
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Gaylord Michigan >> An impactful storm system will move into Michigan Sunday into early next week, with accumulating snow, strong winds, and blowing snow. The best chances for heavy snow will be across the Upper Peninsula, and the snow belts of lower Michigan. Rain will likely mix in for portions of lower Michigan during the day on Sunday before transitioning to snow during the Sunday night into Monday time frame. There is still uncertainty in snow amounts and the intensity of the storm system, so be sure to check back for updates! #miweather #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskeyAn impactful storm system will move into Michigan Sunday into early next week, with accumulating snow, strong winds, and blowing snow. The best chances for heavy snow will be across the Upper Peninsula, and the snow belts of lower Michigan. Rain will likely mix in for portions of lower Michigan during the day on Sunday before transitioning to snow during the Sunday night into Monday time frame. There is still uncertainty in snow amounts and the intensity of the storm system, so be sure to check back for updates!
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Gaylord Michigan >> Wintry mix peaks this morning, tapering to some drizzle / freezing drizzle late this afternoon into tonight. We trend milder into Saturday and especially Sunday before the next system builds into the region, bringing falling temps and, eventually, the return of snow. #miweather #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskey #soo #newberry
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Gaylord Michigan >> Here's the latest on the wintry mix tonight into Friday. Expect 3-6" of snow across the E UP, up to 2" of snow/sleet in northern lower N of M-72 in addition to a light glaze of ice, and up to 0.10" of ice accumulation south of M-72. #miweather #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskey #soo #newberryHere's the latest on the wintry mix tonight into Friday. Expect 3-6" of snow across the E UP, up to 2" of snow/sleet in northern lower N of M-72 in addition to a light glaze of ice, and up to 0.10" of ice accumulation south of M-72.
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Gaylord Michigan >> A messy winter system will bring impacts the region at varying times to the region tonight and much of Friday. Accumulating snow will be most impactful in eastern upper, while a messy mix of snow, sleet, and freezing rain / drizzle impacts much of northern lower. #miweather #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskey
WEATHER UPDATE via Michigan Storm Chasers >> On top of our second call ice map, here is our second call snowfall map for December 26th, 2025. It's a messy system with multiple precipitation types, so be sure to click on our page to go see our ice forecast.... #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsarea #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskeyOn top of our second call ice map, here is our second call snowfall map for December 26th, 2025. It's a messy system with multiple precipitation types, so be sure to click on our page to go see our ice forecast.
Discussion
The north side of the low will have much colder air, and the deformation zone for this event will be set up across the eastern UP and Lake Superior region. Totals greater than 1" of snow (some melting) will be confined north of M-55 to the Mackinac Bridge, while totals closer to the 3"+ mark are confined from St. Ignace up to Paradise and Sault Ste. Marie. Additionally, the Keweenaw Peninsula also may see the highest snowfall totals too.
You may have noticed that we added a new color for this event only. Because there is a gradual change from rain to snow... freezing rain, and even sleet is expected with this event. Sleet is like the shared sibling between snow and freezing rain. Sleet is snow that melted to rain really high up immediately after falling from the clouds, but spent enough time in the cold sector after melting to reform into tiny pellets. Freezing rain, however, forms when there isn't enough time for the rain to reform back into those tiny ice pellets due to that warm sector close to the ground, but because the ground itself IS a cold sector, it freezes on contact. Yes, sleet is slippery, but due to its properties, it's not quite as impactful. Still, because of the sleet's size, it accumulates in tenths of an inch similar to snow instead of hundredths like freezing rain. As a result, much of the white trace-1" corridor will likely fall as <1" of both snow and sleet. Again, not a huge amount, but worth mentioning. Timing for this snowfall will be similar to that of the ice. Anytime from 6 am EST Friday through the end of the day Friday is the expected duration.
Winter weather advisories are now in effect for the eastern UP regarding this snowfall. We will have traffic impact maps and timing maps coming later this afternoon after our Christmas morning activities. See you all back here soon!
-- Trusted Partner of the Day --
Kuiper Tree Care | Call 616-828-8225 for your top option regarding all your west Michigan tree care needs!
The key does not match the colors on the map
what is orange?
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Gaylord Michigan >> Wintry mix of snow, sleet, and freezing rain later Thursday night through Friday. The highest snow accumulations will be across the eastern UP, with 2 to 5 inches of snow possible. The potential exists for up to 0.10” of ice south of M-72. Stay tuned for the latest updates! #miweather #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskey
Anybody up in the Gaylord are or mancelona that knows how the trails are. I wanna ride Friday and or Saturday
Are Gaylord trails gonna be any good for Friday and or Saturday
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WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Gaylord Michigan >> An impactful storm system will move into Michigan Sunday into early next week, with accumulating snow, strong winds, and blowing snow. The best chances for heavy snow will be across the Upper Peninsula, and the snow belts of lower Michigan. Rain will likely mix in for portions of lower Michigan during the day on Sunday before transitioning to snow during the Sunday night into Monday time frame. There is still uncertainty in snow amounts and the intensity of the storm system, so be sure to check back for updates! #miweather #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskeyAn impactful storm system will move into Michigan Sunday into early next week, with accumulating snow, strong winds, and blowing snow. The best chances for heavy snow will be across the Upper Peninsula, and the snow belts of lower Michigan. Rain will likely mix in for portions of lower Michigan during the day on Sunday before transitioning to snow during the Sunday night into Monday time frame. There is still uncertainty in snow amounts and the intensity of the storm system, so be sure to check back for updates!
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Gaylord Michigan >> Wintry mix peaks this morning, tapering to some drizzle / freezing drizzle late this afternoon into tonight. We trend milder into Saturday and especially Sunday before the next system builds into the region, bringing falling temps and, eventually, the return of snow. #miweather #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskey #soo #newberry
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Gaylord Michigan >> Here's the latest on the wintry mix tonight into Friday. Expect 3-6" of snow across the E UP, up to 2" of snow/sleet in northern lower N of M-72 in addition to a light glaze of ice, and up to 0.10" of ice accumulation south of M-72. #miweather #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskey #soo #newberryHere's the latest on the wintry mix tonight into Friday. Expect 3-6" of snow across the E UP, up to 2" of snow/sleet in northern lower N of M-72 in addition to a light glaze of ice, and up to 0.10" of ice accumulation south of M-72.
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Gaylord Michigan >> A messy winter system will bring impacts the region at varying times to the region tonight and much of Friday. Accumulating snow will be most impactful in eastern upper, while a messy mix of snow, sleet, and freezing rain / drizzle impacts much of northern lower. #miweather #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskey
WEATHER UPDATE via Michigan Storm Chasers >> On top of our second call ice map, here is our second call snowfall map for December 26th, 2025. It's a messy system with multiple precipitation types, so be sure to click on our page to go see our ice forecast.... #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsarea #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskeyOn top of our second call ice map, here is our second call snowfall map for December 26th, 2025. It's a messy system with multiple precipitation types, so be sure to click on our page to go see our ice forecast.
Discussion
The north side of the low will have much colder air, and the deformation zone for this event will be set up across the eastern UP and Lake Superior region. Totals greater than 1" of snow (some melting) will be confined north of M-55 to the Mackinac Bridge, while totals closer to the 3"+ mark are confined from St. Ignace up to Paradise and Sault Ste. Marie. Additionally, the Keweenaw Peninsula also may see the highest snowfall totals too.
You may have noticed that we added a new color for this event only. Because there is a gradual change from rain to snow... freezing rain, and even sleet is expected with this event. Sleet is like the shared sibling between snow and freezing rain. Sleet is snow that melted to rain really high up immediately after falling from the clouds, but spent enough time in the cold sector after melting to reform into tiny pellets. Freezing rain, however, forms when there isn't enough time for the rain to reform back into those tiny ice pellets due to that warm sector close to the ground, but because the ground itself IS a cold sector, it freezes on contact. Yes, sleet is slippery, but due to its properties, it's not quite as impactful. Still, because of the sleet's size, it accumulates in tenths of an inch similar to snow instead of hundredths like freezing rain. As a result, much of the white trace-1" corridor will likely fall as <1" of both snow and sleet. Again, not a huge amount, but worth mentioning. Timing for this snowfall will be similar to that of the ice. Anytime from 6 am EST Friday through the end of the day Friday is the expected duration.
Winter weather advisories are now in effect for the eastern UP regarding this snowfall. We will have traffic impact maps and timing maps coming later this afternoon after our Christmas morning activities. See you all back here soon!
-- Trusted Partner of the Day --
Kuiper Tree Care | Call 616-828-8225 for your top option regarding all your west Michigan tree care needs!
The key does not match the colors on the map
what is orange?
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Gaylord Michigan >> Wintry mix of snow, sleet, and freezing rain later Thursday night through Friday. The highest snow accumulations will be across the eastern UP, with 2 to 5 inches of snow possible. The potential exists for up to 0.10” of ice south of M-72. Stay tuned for the latest updates! #miweather #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskey
Anybody up in the Gaylord are or mancelona that knows how the trails are. I wanna ride Friday and or Saturday
Are Gaylord trails gonna be any good for Friday and or Saturday
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Latest Trail Reports – Quick Links
- Paradise Area Trail Report – 12/26
- Grand Marais Area Trail Report – 12/26
- Keweenaw Peninsula Trail Report – 12/26
- Lake Gogebic Area Trail Report – 12/26
- Newberry Area Trail Report – 12/26
- Cadillac Area Trail Report – 12/26
- Munising Area Trail Report – 12/26
- Gaylord Area Trail Report – 12/26
- Frederic / Gaylord Area Trail Report – Sledheads of Frederic – 12/26
- Ontonagon Area Trail Report – 12/26
- Sault Ste. Marie Area Trail Report – 12/26
- Keweenaw Peninsula Trail Report – 12/25
- Jordan Valley Area Trail Report – 12/25
- Sidnaw – Western U.P. Trail Report – 12/25
- Keweenaw Peninsula Trail Report – 12/25
- Petoskey Area Trail Report – 12/25
- Grand Marais Area Trail Report – 12/24
- Harbor Springs Area Trail Report – 12/24
- Sidnaw – Western U.P. Trail Report – 12/24
- Gaylord Area Trail Report – 12/24
- Frederic / Gaylord Area Trail Report – Sledheads of Frederic – 12/24
- Newberry Area Trail Report – 12/24
- Ontonagon Area Trail Report – 12/24
- Lake Gogebic Trail Report – 12/23
- Jordan Valley Area Trail Report – 12/23
- Munising Area Trail Report – 12/23
- Watersmeet – Western U.P. Trail Report – 12/23
- Newberry Area Trail Report – 12/23
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