Traverse City Area Trail Report – 01/03
TRAVERSE CITY AREA UPDATE via Grand Traverse Area Snowmobile Club – 01/03 With the narrow lake effect bands we have experienced, some trails picked up 7 inches while the southern trails received only 2 inches. We will be out panning the northern trails this evening. If your out please keep an eye out for our groomers. At this time we only have minor lake effect forecasted for the week ahead. Keep doing those snow dances. Remember, if you do ride, Ride Right, Ride Safe, Ride Sober. <> <> Grand Traverse Area Snowmobile Club on Facebook >>>> <> Area Reports: Grand Traverse Area Snowmobile Club on Facebook >>>> <> WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Gaylord Michigan >> Below zero wind chills continue this morning across most of Northern Michigan. Winds chills will be in the teens below zero or colder in parts of eastern upper and north central Lower Michigan. Be sure to bundle up! WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Gaylord Michigan >> Lake effect snow showers will continue into tonight across parts of northern Michigan. The highest amounts of additional snow are expected in areas near and southwest of Grand Traverse Bay, with 2-6” this afternoon through tonight. WEATHER UPDATE via Michigan Storm Chasers >> Here is your final look at snowfall totals over a 36-hour period from tonight, through midday Thursday, January 14th through 15th, 2026. NOTE, snow will start overnight for the UP, but later tomorrow morning into the afternoon for the LP. WEATHER UPDATE via Meteorologist Brad Sugden >> SNOW TIME!! Lake effect areas, you're about to be buried in some locations! This is purely lake effect that kicks in Wednesday morning and lasts through Thursday afternoon. Thursday afternoon the lake effect subsides as another clipper system moves in. WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Gaylord Michigan>> Lake effect snow spread across northern Michigan tonight through Thursday night. While most areas can expect only an inch or less of accumulations… areas southwest of Grand Traverse Bay will observe 3-5” with locally higher amounts of 8”+. Widespread falling temperatures will impact the entire region with wind chills near/below zero by Wednesday morning. #miweather #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskeyLake effect snow spread across northern Michigan tonight through Thursday night. While most areas can expect only an inch or less of accumulations… areas southwest of Grand Traverse Bay will observe 3-5” with locally higher amounts of 8”+. Widespread falling temperatures will impact the entire region with wind chills near/below zero by Wednesday morning. <> Latest Trail Reports – Quick Links <>Postings From Regional Pages On Facebook
A cold Thursday is ahead, though our weather will otherwise be relatively quiet with decreasing lake effect snow and decreasing winds. Another system will spread snow back into the area late tonight into Friday. Several inches of accumulation are possible near Lake Michigan in both peninsulas. This system will allow temperatures to briefly rebound early this weekend. However, Arctic air settles back in by Monday, with continued lake effect snow showers in the snowbelts. #miweather #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskey 
Cold temperatures will impact the entire region with wind chills below zero this afternoon into Thursday morning. #miweather #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskey
Discussion
Lake effect snow is the rave with this one. Winds almost directly out of the north coupled with low-level DGZ and strong forcing will allow for many of the areas in dark blue, and especially pink pick up well over half a foot of fresh snow with this event. Hyper-localized banding is expected, which is when the span of 20 miles sees a difference in snow accumulation of 1", to perhaps 12-18". A 1° change in wind direction will help, or hurt your chances at significant snowfall if you're right along the lakeshore areas, especially SW Michigan.
Inland areas will only see under an inch within an initial snow squall and light lake effect afterward. We are not confident that the stretch from Lansing to Port Huron will get more than 1.5", but we put 1-3" just in case. Lake Huron will also show off lake effect snow, with parts of Huron county seeing 4-8". To the north, northwest lower Michigan will see 2-5" and 4-8", with a localized swath of 6"+ near Manistee and points surrounding. Lastly, the UP will see its highest totals along the higher elevation areas of the central portion of the peninsula.
Wind gusts up to 30 mph, even 40-45 mph are likely with this snow, and as a result, near-zero visibilities and drifted roads may occur near each lakeshore. Allow extra travel time when driving on Wednesday in the 4-8", or 6-12"/6-18" zones. We will have radar, weather camera, and traffic updates coming tomorrow as the snow comes down, so drop a follow here at Michigan Storm Chasers for coverage. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsarea #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskeyHere is your final look at snowfall totals over a 36-hour period from tonight, through midday Thursday, January 14th through 15th, 2026. NOTE, snow will start overnight for the UP, but later tomorrow morning into the afternoon for the LP.
Discussion
Lake effect snow is the rave with this one. Winds almost directly out of the north coupled with low-level DGZ and strong forcing will allow for many of the areas in dark blue, and especially pink pick up well over half a foot of fresh snow with this event. Hyper-localized banding is expected, which is when the span of 20 miles sees a difference in snow accumulation of 1", to perhaps 12-18". A 1° change in wind direction will help, or hurt your chances at significant snowfall if you're right along the lakeshore areas, especially SW Michigan.
Inland areas will only see under an inch within an initial snow squall and light lake effect afterward. We are not confident that the stretch from Lansing to Port Huron will get more than 1.5", but we put 1-3" just in case. Lake Huron will also show off lake effect snow, with parts of Huron county seeing 4-8". To the north, northwest lower Michigan will see 2-5" and 4-8", with a localized swath of 6"+ near Manistee and points surrounding. Lastly, the UP will see its highest totals along the higher elevation areas of the central portion of the peninsula.
Wind gusts up to 30 mph, even 40-45 mph are likely with this snow, and as a result, near-zero visibilities and drifted roads may occur near each lakeshore. Allow extra travel time when driving on Wednesday in the 4-8", or 6-12"/6-18" zones. We will have radar, weather camera, and traffic updates coming tomorrow as the snow comes down, so drop a follow here at Michigan Storm Chasers for coverage.
-- Trusted Partner on Wednesday --
Top Gun Roofing & Exteriors | 616-900-8033, call today for all exterior home needs across the Grand Rapids area!
Temperatures are warmest Wednesday morning then drop significantly into the late afternoon and evening. Many will have wind chills below zero.
Snow will be fluffy and BLOWING. Gusts near 40mph can be expected. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #munising #newberry #soo #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskey