Sault Ste. Marie Area Trail Report – 01/02
SAULT STE. MARIE AREA via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association >> 01/02
1/2/26
Good morning everyone! It’s been awhile since I was able to create a complete trail report with all that we’ve had going on, so here we go!
❄Trail 8- good from the Soo to Brimley, and Brimley to Raco has greatly improved now that the drifts have been knocked down more. Still soft snow that will start packing down more with each run.
❄ City Trails- part of 49, 449, 497, and the I500 courtesy trail- lots of drifting in the open areas, fair to good. Needs a groom to manage drifts, and we’ll get to it as soon as we can.
❄ ‼ Trail 49 – Soo to Kinross- rough from Devils Hill to 12 mile, and we left the groomer out of there the last few days to let it freeze in more. Passable by sled with some wet spots, so use caution. Continued cold and sleds packing it will make a big difference. 12 mile north to the Soo is in good shape. Please stay on the trail! There are water hazards under the snow off trail in several areas.
❄49 south of M80 and the 494 loop- excellent. No issues here, other than maybe some drifts in open areas.
❄472 out of Kinross to Tilson Rd- our first pass since the storm was made yesterday so it is much improved. Fair to good. We cannot groom past Tilson due to ongoing construction.
🚨 472 and 480 to the Raco gate- please see the pinned post. We cannot groom in here yet due to bridge construction. The Raco gate is closed.
❄ 480 from the Spile Dam turnaround to the Raco Powerline ( trail 8 ) – excellent
❄ Raco Powerline- good
❄889 The Mission Hill Loop- good- all trees have been cleared and it groomed up nicely.
Ride safe everyone!
**to join or donate, please visit www.sootrails.org**
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WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Strong westerly winds develop this afternoon and evening, with winds gusting up to 60 mph in the Keweenaw and 45 mph for the remainder of the northern UP near the Superior shoreline. Damaging winds could blow down trees and power lines. Power outages are possible. Travel could be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles.
Temperatures will plummet tonight, setting up a seasonably cold weekend with some light lake effect snow for the northwest wind belts. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsarea
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Light snowfall brings generally an inch or less to the area today before leaving this evening. Warm & windy conditions show up Friday ahead of a strong cold front coming in Friday night; areas in the Keweenaw & near Lake Superior could see winds gusting to at least 45 mph or more. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaLight snowfall brings generally an inch or less to the area today before leaving this evening. Warm & windy conditions show up Friday ahead of a strong cold front coming in Friday night; areas in the Keweenaw & near Lake Superior could see winds gusting to at least 45 mph or more. #906wx #miwx
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Gaylord Michigan >> Dry with some peeks of sun to start today. Another quick-hitter system passes through this afternoon, bringing some snow showers, some of which could be heavy at times. Be prepared for wintry driving conditions later today! We then briefly trend warm Friday. #miweather #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskey #soo #newberryDry with some peeks of sun to start today. Another quick-hitter system passes through this afternoon, bringing some snow showers, some of which could be heavy at times. Be prepared for wintry driving conditions later today! We then briefly trend warm Friday. #MIwx
SAULT STE. MARIE AREA UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association >> 2/25/26
Good morning all!
We didn’t end up with as much new snow as we wanted out of the system, but lake effect is lingering a bit. I show about 4” of new snow here in the Soo. It looks like just west us (Brimley/Raco) got a little more.
Once operators are out rolling and send me updates, I’ll be sure to share!
Thank you! #soo #soo0225 #snowphotos2/25/26
Good morning all!
We didn’t end up with as much new snow as we wanted out of the system, but lake effect is lingering a bit. I show about 4” of new snow here in the Soo. It looks like just west us (Brimley/Raco) got a little more.
Once operators are out rolling and send me updates, I’ll be sure to share!
Thank you!
Wow! That's a ton of snow! Just one more good snowfall and the measuring stick disappears 🙂
SAULT STE. MARIE AREA UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association >> 2/24/26
Updated warning and forecast. Be safe but also…. bring it on!!🤘🏼❄️🙌🏼 #soo #soo0224
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Gaylord Michigan >> Snow and gusty winds return through the day today, with hazardous travel conditions likely this afternoon into the evening. Heaviest snowfall is expected across eastern upper Michigan, with travel impacts likely along US 2 west of St. Ignace due to gusty southerly winds. For northern lower, the heaviest snowfall generally favors spots along and north of M-32. Activity will transition to lake effect snow tonight. #miweather #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskey #soo #newberrySnow and gusty winds return through the day today, with hazardous travel conditions likely this afternoon into the evening. Heaviest snowfall is expected across eastern upper Michigan, with travel impacts likely along US 2 west of St. Ignace due to gusty southerly winds. For northern lower, the heaviest snowfall generally favors spots along and north of M-32. Activity will transition to lake effect snow tonight. #MIwx
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> A strengthening Clipper low brings a 2-to-6-hour period of moderate to heavy snowfall to the UP today, with the greatest snow totals in the east. In addition, gusty winds will bring areas of blowing snow along the lakeshores. Expect at least hazardous travel today. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaA strengthening Clipper low brings a 2-to-6-hour period of moderate to heavy snowfall to the UP today, with the greatest snow totals in the east. In addition, gusty winds will bring areas of blowing snow along the lakeshores. Expect at least hazardous travel today. #906wx #miwx
WEATHER UPDATE via Michigan Storm Chasers >> Here's our last call snowfall outlook regarding the system starting today, February 24th, and finishing up Wednesday, February 25th, 2026... #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskeyHere's our last call snowfall outlook regarding the system starting today, February 24th, and finishing up Wednesday, February 25th, 2026.
Discussion
The only significant changes to the map shown since yesterday are the addition of a 6-12" zone to focus on the back-side lake effect snow through the end of the day on Wednesday that will bump up totals across the eastern Upper Peninsula, and a slight shift south of the 1-3" zone towards Kalamazoo and Ann Arbor. Besides a few wobbles, the 2-5" and 4-8" zones remain largely the same. The entire Upper Peninsula now has winter alerts issued for this incoming snow. Notice, we've added a dashed green line to denote that areas south of it will deal with greater uncertainty in higher snowfall totals due to daytime temperatures above 32°F, plus the presence of low-level dry air filtering into the state. There should still be enough time to give everyone a solid half inch across the state, but for those primarily south of I-94, that may be all.
For timing, truthfully, not everyone will see the peak of precipitation by the end of the day. The front will be taking its time as it crosses the state this morning and afternoon. Upper Peninsula west of Newberry, you'll see your snow beginning by noon. After the noon timeframe, it'll be everyone else across the state. Last to see the precipitation start today will be southeastern Michigan, where flurries/light rain may not start until after 10 pm EST. Remember, gusty winds are possible within this passing winter storm, and as such, travel will become difficult at times as visibility drops to under a half a mile within the highest snowfall rates. Travel with care, and make sure to turn on headlights AND taillights when driving in any snow squall. Snow will finish by noon Wednesday, but continue as lake effect for the Upper Peninsula through the end of Wednesday, as denoted by the circled yellow area.
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