Traverse City Trail Report – 01/12
TRAVERSE CITY AREA UPDATE via Ranch Rudolf – 1/12/18 trail update: It’s very disheartening to report that the work of some wheeled vehicles have made things much more challenging. Please note the sign stating this is a groomer maintained trail and someone still felt it was ok to drive down it.
We had a very light rain/mist from approx 4pm to 8pm last night. Lost some snow. Luckily, we had a lot of snow to start with, so there is still a good amount on the ground, especially in the woods with more tree cover. It’s currently 16 degrees and expected to remain cold. It’s lightly snowing now, nothing significant expected, but at least it will now be cold enough to maintain anything new. Snow that we have it very crunchy/hard packed. Trails are probably categorized poor to fair at best. The biggest problem is there really isn’t enough snow for groomers to run, but with the ruts from wheeled vehicles they may have to try to smooth them back out, which will dig up dirt in some spots. Hoping this is the only trail that took a hit from a vehicle.
Currently groomers are not running, but groomer drivers and GTASC officers are talking right now about the best resolution for the trails. Will update you as to when groomers head out, whether it be today, this weekend, or when… stay safe out there and have fun, but please have a little respect for the sport, the trails, and the hard work all these club members put in to maintaining them
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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!
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The key does not match the colors on the map
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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
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Gaylord Michigan >> The next shot for widespread precipitation over the state arrives late Thursday into Friday. Primarily snow is expected over the U.P. with higher chances for a wintry mix/freezing rain over lower Michigan. Post-holiday travel may be impacted across parts of the state. #miweather #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskeyThe next shot for widespread precipitation over the state arrives late Thursday into Friday. Primarily snow is expected over the U.P. with higher chances for a wintry mix/freezing rain over lower Michigan. Post-holiday travel may be impacted across parts of the state.
WEATHER UPDATE via Midwest Weather >> I'm going up north to the U.P of Michigan on Friday to chase a potentially significant lake effect snow event from late Saturday night through Tuesday. Snowfall accumulations could be 1-2', if not higher, as high-res model guidance comes in when we get closer.
Another lake-effect snow event is increasingly likely behind an arctic front next Wednesday night through Friday, which we will need to keep an eye on. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsarea #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskeyI'm going up north to the U.P of Michigan on Friday to chase a potentially significant lake effect snow event from late Saturday night through Tuesday. Snowfall accumulations could be 1-2', if not higher, as high-res model guidance comes in when we get closer.
Another lake-effect snow event is increasingly likely behind an arctic front next Wednesday night through Friday, which we will need to keep an eye on.
We will be in GM for the week! Bring it!
Your wasting your time ... gonna be a small.snow event
WEATHER UPDATE via Michigan Storm Chasers >> In the spirit of Christmas, here's today's forecast for December 23rd, 2025 that really doesn't feel much like the holiday season. Let's discuss!
Temperatures are slow-going to rise, then suddenly as we reach the afternoon hours, temperatures snap into the mid-40's for much of the state. Many locations close to the MI/OH border may surpass 50°F. Further north, mid-30's are likely. Sunshine will be noticeable out there today, as partly cloudy skies are the main icon. Winds will increase beyond noon as well, gusting between 20-30 mph for most, with some isolated spots in northeast Michigan, and along Lake Superior gusting 30-40 mph. Winds will be out of the west, and more details on the wind will be posted next. A light round of mixed precipitation is possible overnight into Wednesday for the Sault Ste. Marie region.
Keep on following for continued statewide forecasts throughout the week, right here at Michigan Storm Chasers, your most-trusted source for statewide forecasts and weather coverage. #miweather #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskeyIn the spirit of Christmas, here's today's forecast for December 23rd, 2025 that really doesn't feel much like the holiday season. Let's discuss!
Temperatures are slow-going to rise, then suddenly as we reach the afternoon hours, temperatures snap into the mid-40's for much of the state. Many locations close to the MI/OH border may surpass 50°F. Further north, mid-30's are likely. Sunshine will be noticeable out there today, as partly cloudy skies are the main icon. Winds will increase beyond noon as well, gusting between 20-30 mph for most, with some isolated spots in northeast Michigan, and along Lake Superior gusting 30-40 mph. Winds will be out of the west, and more details on the wind will be posted next. A light round of mixed precipitation is possible overnight into Wednesday for the Sault Ste. Marie region.
Keep on following for continued statewide forecasts throughout the week, right here at Michigan Storm Chasers, your most-trusted source for statewide forecasts and weather coverage.
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WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Gaylord Michigan >> Expecting light / minimal precipitation through Christmas Day. A larger system builds late Thursday night (Christmas Day) into Friday, bringing a wintry mix to the region, lingering into the weekend. Travel impacts are possible during this period of time. #miweather #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskey
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Gaylord Michigan >> Light snow today brings minor accumulations, with lingering snow Tuesday mainly across eastern Upper. Partly cloudy skies Christmas Eve, then a light rain/snow mix is expected late Christmas Day. Pockets of isolated light freezing drizzle are possible today/ tonight– On ice and snow, take it slow! #miweather #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskeyLight snow today brings minor accumulations, with lingering snow Tuesday mainly across eastern Upper. Partly cloudy skies Christmas Eve, then a light rain/snow mix is expected late Christmas Day. Pockets of isolated light freezing drizzle are possible today/ tonight– On ice and snow, take it slow! #MIwx
TRAVERSE CITY AREA UPDATE via Grand Traverse Area Snowmobile Club >> I know, I know, I'm late in reporting the trail conditions. Yes, the trails took a hit with the last warm up. But the good news is that we didn't receive the heavy rains as forecasted. We have a crusty, icey base still on the trails and we continue to get light flurries, but unfortunately, no accumulating snow. The trails are currently rated as poor. We need to survive this week's warmer temps and get a good dumping and we will be back in business. The GTASC groomer drivers will be ready when that time comes. Remember when you ride, Ride Right, Ride Safe, Ride Sober.
And when were able to ride, or your just out and about looking for family dining, serving breakfest, lunch and dinner, and pizza too. Please make sure you stop in at the Yankee Boy Restaurant for a bite to eat. When the snow returns, you can access them from the trail. Yankee Boy is a sponsor of the GTASC. Follow them on Facebook for their daily specials. Please support those businesses that support our sport. #traversecity #snowphotosI know, I know, I'm late in reporting the trail conditions. Yes, the trails took a hit with the last warm up. But the good news is that we didn't receive the heavy rains as forecasted. We have a crusty, icey base still on the trails and we continue to get light flurries, but unfortunately, no accumulating snow. The trails are currently rated as poor. We need to survive this week's warmer temps and get a good dumping and we will be back in business. The GTASC groomer drivers will be ready when that time comes. Remember when you ride, Ride Right, Ride Safe, Ride Sober.
And when were able to ride, or your just out and about looking for family dining, serving breakfest, lunch and dinner, and pizza too. Please make sure you stop in at the Yankee Boy Restaurant for a bite to eat. When the snow returns, you can access them from the trail. Yankee Boy is a sponsor of the GTASC. Follow them on Facebook for their daily specials. Please support those businesses that support our sport.
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