Sault Ste. Marie Area Trail Report – 02/18
SAULT STE. MARIE AREA UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association >> 02/18
2/18/25
Good morning everyone!
It’s Tuesday, so time for another trail report from Steve. Here we go!
“Yesterday was an emotional roller coaster leading up to our Monday night grooming run.
With both groomers in the Soo barn broke down and waiting on repairs, Dennis and I spent the day tossing around ideas of what we were going to do with our first free Monday night in a long time.
Things changed around 3 pm when our groomer boss Mike called with some good news and bad news.
The good news was, we were going to be able to still groom. The bad news was, the available groomer was sitting down in Kinross.
I spent some time reflecting on the five-year sentence I served grooming out of our Raco location and decided driving to Kinross from the Soo wasn’t all that bad. Time wise, it is about half as long as driving to Raco after work.
Dennis and I made a plan that worked for both of us to do our normal Soo to Kinross run on trail 49 in reverse.
I drove to Kinross and warmed up the groomer before heading north. Our groomer sits outside there and it really made me appreciate the barn in the Soo where everything is warm and thawed out before starting our runs.
I had an uneventful trip into town. I met lots of sleds and received thumbs up from most of them.
I reached out to Groomer Lane just south of the Soo. He had made the last trip into town from Kinross and groomed all the way to Trail 8. I decided at that point to groom the east side of town and went to the casino and also to the high school. Most of our city trails have now been groomed in the last few days, utilizing our Kinross groomer.
Overall, trails are in great condition. The top layer of snow on the trail is soft. Trails are pretty flat and should be enjoyable to ride.
There is still utility work going on inside the city limits around the trail to the casino. It is signed well and one section of trail is blocked off. I was able to sneak the groomer around the area and keep a safe path through. Please use caution in this area as they are working in many spots along the way.
Hope to continue to see sleds enjoying our trail system.
Steve Lawson”
Thank you to all of our volunteers, especially to those that have put in extra time and rearranged their schedules to help us out while we are down 2 machines. I rode yesterday and you’d never know it. They are all doing a fantastic job!
Stay warm if you’re out the next few days. It’s brutally cold, and trails are very hard packed, especially in the morning so scratchers are recommended if you have them. No significant snow in the next few days, but there’s tons around. We could use a break from shoveling and plowing LOL.
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Postings From Regional Pages On Facebook
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> If you have post-travel plans to or from lower MI Thursday night into Friday, be aware of the potential for light snow and freezing rain to impact travel, especially over parts of the Lower Peninsula. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaIf you have post-travel plans to or from lower MI Thursday night into Friday, be aware of the potential for light snow and freezing rain to impact travel, especially over parts of the Lower Peninsula. #906wx #miwx
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!
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> A cold front will push through this afternoon and evening bringing gusty northwest wind of 25-35 mph near Lake Superior and over the Keweenaw. Otherwise low chances for snow and or sleet are forecast for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day (10-30% chance). #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaA cold front will push through this afternoon and evening bringing gusty northwest wind of 25-35 mph near Lake Superior and over the Keweenaw. Otherwise low chances for snow and or sleet are forecast for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day (10-30% chance).
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> It will be warmer today with highs in the upper 20s to mid 30s. Light snow is possible south of an Iron Mountain to Escanaba line but any accumulation will be very light. There is a chance (20-30%) for light snow across the central and eastern U.P tonight but little in the way of accumulation is expected. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaIt will be warmer today with highs in the upper 20s to mid 30s. Light snow is possible south of an Iron Mountain to Escanaba line but any accumulation will be very light. There is a chance (20-30%) for light snow across the central and eastern U.P tonight but little in the way of accumulation is expected.
SAULT STE. MARIE AREA UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association >> 12/21/25
Groomer Jay and I just finished the city trails. Aside from the car on trail 8 near Ashmun Bay, things look really good. We saw a little water on the trail to Kewadin as pictured, but that was honestly the worst part of the whole run. It was snowing hard for the last hour of our run.
I was pleasantly surprised to see how well things held up after the warm up last week.
We keep saying it, but we truly are very pleased with where things are this early seaon.
Let’s hope it continues! ❄️❄️❄️ #soo #snowphotos
SAULT STE. MARIE AREA UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association >> 12/21/25
Happy Winter Solstice!!
Beautiful shots from Brimley Bill this morning on his run of parts of 480 north of M28, the Raco powerline portion of trail 8, and the 889 loop!
Fresh snow over the solid base that the thaw last week helped to create = some awesome trails!
Thank you Bill! ❄️❄️❄️ #soo #snowphotos
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Lake effect snow showers will continue in the northwest wind snowbelts this morning and then begin to shift north and offshore this afternoon into the evening as winds become southwesterly. Additional snowfall of up to an inch in the west and 1 to 3 inches in the east can be expected. A round of light snow is possible on Monday into Monday night with temperatures moderating through mid-week. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaLake effect snow showers will continue in the northwest wind snowbelts this morning and then begin to shift north and offshore this afternoon into the evening as winds become southwesterly. Additional snowfall of up to an inch in the west and 1 to 3 inches in the east can be expected. A round of light snow is possible on Monday into Monday night with temperatures moderating through mid-week.
WEATHER UPDATE via Michigan Storm Chasers >> Here is our last call for ongoing system snow and lake effect snow from now through Sunday evening at 6 pm EST, December 20th & 21st, 2025.
Uncertainty exists primarily in our trace-1" category which extends from Frankfort and Alpena south to I-96/I-69. The clipper moving through today may produce a quick squall of rain & snow with minimal accumulation some time beyond 1 pm EST, but models haven't determined if this band will solidify or not. If it does, the chance for a rain/snow mix exists in areas highlighted in the pink dashed box. This rain/snow mix would only be today. Any snow on Sunday will be lake effect off of Lake Superior, hence why our highest totals of 4-8" are located east of Munising over to Paradise. Not too impactful of a system in terms of Michigander standards, but do take it slow if you encounter any snow squalls and/or visibly slick roads. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsarea #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskeyHere is our last call for ongoing system snow and lake effect snow from now through Sunday evening at 6 pm EST, December 20th & 21st, 2025.
Uncertainty exists primarily in our trace-1" category which extends from Frankfort and Alpena south to I-96/I-69. The clipper moving through today may produce a quick squall of rain & snow with minimal accumulation some time beyond 1 pm EST, but models haven't determined if this band will solidify or not. If it does, the chance for a rain/snow mix exists in areas highlighted in the pink dashed box. This rain/snow mix would only be today. Any snow on Sunday will be lake effect off of Lake Superior, hence why our highest totals of 4-8" are located east of Munising over to Paradise. Not too impactful of a system in terms of Michigander standards, but do take it slow if you encounter any snow squalls and/or visibly slick roads.
-- Trusted Partner of the Day --
A-Class Construction & Restoration | 833-298-ROOF is the number to call for all home construction needs across northwestern lower Michigan!
A snow squall. Maybe that’s what we had going on in Wakefield today. It was nuts!
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WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> If you have post-travel plans to or from lower MI Thursday night into Friday, be aware of the potential for light snow and freezing rain to impact travel, especially over parts of the Lower Peninsula. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaIf you have post-travel plans to or from lower MI Thursday night into Friday, be aware of the potential for light snow and freezing rain to impact travel, especially over parts of the Lower Peninsula. #906wx #miwx
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!
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> A cold front will push through this afternoon and evening bringing gusty northwest wind of 25-35 mph near Lake Superior and over the Keweenaw. Otherwise low chances for snow and or sleet are forecast for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day (10-30% chance). #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaA cold front will push through this afternoon and evening bringing gusty northwest wind of 25-35 mph near Lake Superior and over the Keweenaw. Otherwise low chances for snow and or sleet are forecast for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day (10-30% chance).
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> It will be warmer today with highs in the upper 20s to mid 30s. Light snow is possible south of an Iron Mountain to Escanaba line but any accumulation will be very light. There is a chance (20-30%) for light snow across the central and eastern U.P tonight but little in the way of accumulation is expected. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaIt will be warmer today with highs in the upper 20s to mid 30s. Light snow is possible south of an Iron Mountain to Escanaba line but any accumulation will be very light. There is a chance (20-30%) for light snow across the central and eastern U.P tonight but little in the way of accumulation is expected.
SAULT STE. MARIE AREA UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association >> 12/21/25
Groomer Jay and I just finished the city trails. Aside from the car on trail 8 near Ashmun Bay, things look really good. We saw a little water on the trail to Kewadin as pictured, but that was honestly the worst part of the whole run. It was snowing hard for the last hour of our run.
I was pleasantly surprised to see how well things held up after the warm up last week.
We keep saying it, but we truly are very pleased with where things are this early seaon.
Let’s hope it continues! ❄️❄️❄️ #soo #snowphotos
SAULT STE. MARIE AREA UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association >> 12/21/25
Happy Winter Solstice!!
Beautiful shots from Brimley Bill this morning on his run of parts of 480 north of M28, the Raco powerline portion of trail 8, and the 889 loop!
Fresh snow over the solid base that the thaw last week helped to create = some awesome trails!
Thank you Bill! ❄️❄️❄️ #soo #snowphotos
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Lake effect snow showers will continue in the northwest wind snowbelts this morning and then begin to shift north and offshore this afternoon into the evening as winds become southwesterly. Additional snowfall of up to an inch in the west and 1 to 3 inches in the east can be expected. A round of light snow is possible on Monday into Monday night with temperatures moderating through mid-week. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaLake effect snow showers will continue in the northwest wind snowbelts this morning and then begin to shift north and offshore this afternoon into the evening as winds become southwesterly. Additional snowfall of up to an inch in the west and 1 to 3 inches in the east can be expected. A round of light snow is possible on Monday into Monday night with temperatures moderating through mid-week.
WEATHER UPDATE via Michigan Storm Chasers >> Here is our last call for ongoing system snow and lake effect snow from now through Sunday evening at 6 pm EST, December 20th & 21st, 2025.
Uncertainty exists primarily in our trace-1" category which extends from Frankfort and Alpena south to I-96/I-69. The clipper moving through today may produce a quick squall of rain & snow with minimal accumulation some time beyond 1 pm EST, but models haven't determined if this band will solidify or not. If it does, the chance for a rain/snow mix exists in areas highlighted in the pink dashed box. This rain/snow mix would only be today. Any snow on Sunday will be lake effect off of Lake Superior, hence why our highest totals of 4-8" are located east of Munising over to Paradise. Not too impactful of a system in terms of Michigander standards, but do take it slow if you encounter any snow squalls and/or visibly slick roads. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsarea #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskeyHere is our last call for ongoing system snow and lake effect snow from now through Sunday evening at 6 pm EST, December 20th & 21st, 2025.
Uncertainty exists primarily in our trace-1" category which extends from Frankfort and Alpena south to I-96/I-69. The clipper moving through today may produce a quick squall of rain & snow with minimal accumulation some time beyond 1 pm EST, but models haven't determined if this band will solidify or not. If it does, the chance for a rain/snow mix exists in areas highlighted in the pink dashed box. This rain/snow mix would only be today. Any snow on Sunday will be lake effect off of Lake Superior, hence why our highest totals of 4-8" are located east of Munising over to Paradise. Not too impactful of a system in terms of Michigander standards, but do take it slow if you encounter any snow squalls and/or visibly slick roads.
-- Trusted Partner of the Day --
A-Class Construction & Restoration | 833-298-ROOF is the number to call for all home construction needs across northwestern lower Michigan!
A snow squall. Maybe that’s what we had going on in Wakefield today. It was nuts!
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