Sault Ste. Marie Trail Report – 01/18
SAULT STE. MARIE UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association – 01/18 1/18 update for the Bay Mills/Brimley area Good afternoon! He said that 8 from Brimley to the power lines is great. The power lines themselves are almost down to dirt due to wind. Luckily, it’s a pretty short stretch and there is another side that you can get into the snow to cool, if needed. He also said that 889 with the exception of the twisty part closest to the resort is great. The twisty section is thin and bumpy. You can tell this is basically the snow cut off line. He was also able to groom all the way to across from the casino, so that is in much better shape now! Thank you Dave, and welcome aboard, Marc! We are happy to have you on the team! We need some rookie luck, and a big snowstorm!❄️❄️❄️ <> 1/18 update- <> <> Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association Facebook Page <> Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association Trail Report on MSA <> WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Gaylord Michigan >> A quick-moving clipper system crosses northern MI tonight. Primarily rain is expected across much of northern lower, with mainly snow through the Straits and eastern U.P. Snow will likely end as a period of freezing drizzle early Friday morning with a coating of ice possible, mainly in eastern upper. #miweather #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskey #soo #newberryA quick-moving clipper system crosses northern MI tonight. Primarily rain is expected across much of northern lower, with mainly snow through the Straits and eastern U.P. Snow will likely end as a period of freezing drizzle early Friday morning with a coating of ice possible, mainly in eastern upper. WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Key Messages: SAULT STE. MARIE AREA UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association >> 3/17/26 SAULT STE. MARIE AREA UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association >> 3/17/26 WEATHER UPDATE via Michigan Storm Chasers >> Final snowfall totals have been released from our blizzard of March 15th-17th, 2026 here in Michigan. Do note, some locations are approximated due to data gaps in the Upper Peninsula..... #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskeyFinal snowfall totals have been released from our blizzard of March 15th-17th, 2026 here in Michigan. Do note, some locations are approximated due to data gaps in the Upper Peninsula. <> Latest Trail Reports – Quick Links <>
Today, Raco Dave took out a new guy, rookie Marc, to groom trail 8 between Brimley and where we turn around at Ranger Rd, and also 889, which includes the loop to Mission Hill Overlook and the trail to Bay Mills Resort and Casino.
Once again, snow is just not hitting here. But you don’t have to go far. Paradise has been getting decent snow, and that continues. Follow the Paradise Area Night Riders page for their updates. They’re going to check the swamps south of Paradise today. Also, to our south, Les Cheneaux Snowmobile Club & Grooming Report has been getting decent snow. Check their page for those updates. Again, the western part of our trail system from Bay Mills on is in better shape than the Soo.Postings From Regional Pages On Facebook
Today, highs near 40, partly to mostly cloudy.
Tonight, rain with some snow (mostly north and east, as shown in the map) and freezing rain mixing in. Lows near 30.
Friday, mostly cloudy, highs in the mid 30s (north, east) to near 50 (MI/WI state line).
Weekend, tracking the potential for accumulating snow or freezing rain. Chances of 3+ inches of wet snow around 30% mainly Saturday night. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaKey Messages:
Today, highs near 40, partly to mostly cloudy.
Tonight, rain with some snow (mostly north and east, as shown in the map) and freezing rain mixing in. Lows near 30.
Friday, mostly cloudy, highs in the mid 30s (north, east) to near 50 (MI/WI state line).
Weekend, tracking the potential for accumulating snow or freezing rain. Chances of 3+ inches of wet snow around 30% mainly Saturday night.
Last one for the day!
Bryan hit the city trails this evening and they turned out great! The wet areas he saw a week ago are nonexistent now.
He saw quite a bit of sled traffic for a Tuesday.
Great to see people out enjoying the fresh snow and beautiful day!
Thank you, Bryan!!❄️❄️❄️ #soo #soo0317h #snowphotos
Sorry for all of the posts today! As you can see, we’ve been busy!
Pics from Kenny on his run with Raco Dave this morning on the 889 loop, 480 north of M28, and 8 along the powerline.
They report that it turned out great!
Thanks guys!❄️❄️❄️ #soo #soo0317f #snowphotos
No doubt the forecast lived up to its insanity, with many locations getting over 40" of snow across the central Upper Peninsula, and 8-10 foot snow drifts to make things even more extreme. In terms of forecast verification, our forecast did hit the 80%+ accuracy threshold we strive for after each event. Our final verification was 83%, and most of the the misses were where the system shifted slightly south to give parts of the northern Lower Peninsula greater than 24", and parts of the western Upper Peninsula much less. Anything over 18" of snow is just "a lot" at this point anyways, so we aren't stressing too badly about the miss in the Lower Peninsula near the Mackinac Bridge. Lake effect zones in SW Michigan did verify, as text was featured under the forecast that a couple spots would see locally higher amounts.
Overall, this will be a storm we won't soon forget, which adds to the list of wild weather we've experienced in Michigan over the last two weeks. If you have any additional snowfall reports to add to the list that are not affected by drifting, drop them in the comments below here on X or Facebook. A new two-day record was also broken at the NWS office in Marquette of 36"+ with this blizzard, which is just one record smashed by this blizzard.