Benzie Area Trail Report – 12/11
BENZIE – MANISTEE – Benzie Manistee Snowbirds >> 12/11 Trail grooming update, three of our four tractors are grooming north of Kaleva. The forth groomer is waiting on repairs to be completed. For early season riding conditions are good. To get updated grooming information download the Groomer Tracker application and subscribe to the Benzie Manistee Snowbirds Club. Also, the Maple City trail segment is permanently closed. <> Benzie-Manistee Snowmobile Club Facebook Page >>>> Website: www.benziemanisteesnowbirds.com <> WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Gaylord Michigan >> First round of a significant winter storm this morning, with moderate to heavy snow, quick drops in visibility, and poor driving conditions. Heaviest snow during this time will be across the Tip of the Mitt and eastern upper Michigan. WEATHER UPDATE via Michigan Storm Chasers >> One of the most absurd snow forecasts we’ve ever made here at MSC, we’ve had to add an impromptu orange color for higher totals. WEATHER UPDATE via Michigan Storm Chasers >> Along with significant snowfall, comes the chance of significant ice accretion. We’ve seen a bit of a northward shift over the last 24 hours which has taken higher accretion amounts and shifted them. We still expect a corridor of 0.50” or more across Cheboygan, Boyne City, Gaylord, and Rogers City regions. The further south you go, the less ice accretion becomes... #miweather #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskeyAlong with significant snowfall, comes the chance of significant ice accretion. We’ve seen a bit of a northward shift over the last 24 hours which has taken higher accretion amounts and shifted them. We still expect a corridor of 0.50” or more across Cheboygan, Boyne City, Gaylord, and Rogers City regions. The further south you go, the less ice accretion becomes. WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Gaylord Michigan >> 4pm, March 13, 2026: Here is the latest on the upcoming major winter storm this weekend. Current trends favor heaviest snows across far northern lower and eastern upper. Significant amounts of wintry mix (sleet, icing) on the table for northern lower. More details to come as clearer data is ingested regarding this system. #miweather #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskey4pm, March 13, 2026: Here is the latest on the upcoming major winter storm this weekend. Current trends favor heaviest snows across far northern lower and eastern upper. Significant amounts of wintry mix (sleet, icing) on the table for northern lower. More details to come as clearer data is ingested regarding this system. #MIwx <> Latest Trail Reports – Quick Links <>Postings From Regional Pages On Facebook
Significant snow and icing are expected/expected to continue this afternoon through tonight. 0.25”+ icing likely for parts of northern lower with localized higher icing amounts possible. This is the most likely time frame for considerable impacts to roads and infrastructure. Snow continues across the eastern U.P. and parts of far northern lower.
Colder air wraps in area-wide during the day Monday bringing an end to the icing threat across northern lower. However, lake effect snow is expected most prominently across northwest lower and eastern upper MI. Strong winds will of 45+ mph are expected with continued blizzard conditions across parts of the area. Strong winds may exacerbate impacts to infrastructure. #miweather #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskey 
Key Notes:
•Snow begins to work into Michigan late tonight, but becomes more widespread during the early morning hours of Sunday. This snow continues through Tuesday morning for the UP, and becomes a snow/freezing rain/sleet mix for northern lower Michigan beginning Sunday afternoon/evening.
•Winds will gust between 40-60mph statewide both on Sunday and Monday.
•This will be a full on blizzard for much of the Upper Peninsula
•Expect scattered power outages across the state
•Travel will be near impossible for the UP and northern lower
Snow totals will be between one and four FEET when all is said and done on Tuesday in the UP. Further south, a mix is expected which will keep accumulations lower, and also will provide a sharp cutoff of accumulations. The difference between a foot of snow and 2” may be the width of one county.
Further south, this system will end as snow for lower Michigan on Monday & Tuesday, which is why we have a wide area within a trace to an inch, and western lower in a 1-3” zone with wording of higher totals possible. We may need to adjust totals here as new data comes clearer for Tuesday.
Stay tuned for the icing portion of this forecast. Northern lower Michigan will see significant icing which is not shown or communicated in this forecast graphic or write up. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskeyOne of the most absurd snow forecasts we’ve ever made here at MSC, we’ve had to add an impromptu orange color for higher totals.
Key Notes:
•Snow begins to work into Michigan late tonight, but becomes more widespread during the early morning hours of Sunday. This snow continues through Tuesday morning for the UP, and becomes a snow/freezing rain/sleet mix for northern lower Michigan beginning Sunday afternoon/evening.
•Winds will gust between 40-60mph statewide both on Sunday and Monday.
•This will be a full on blizzard for much of the Upper Peninsula
•Expect scattered power outages across the state
•Travel will be near impossible for the UP and northern lower
Snow totals will be between one and four FEET when all is said and done on Tuesday in the UP. Further south, a mix is expected which will keep accumulations lower, and also will provide a sharp cutoff of accumulations. The difference between a foot of snow and 2” may be the width of one county.
Further south, this system will end as snow for lower Michigan on Monday & Tuesday, which is why we have a wide area within a trace to an inch, and western lower in a 1-3” zone with wording of higher totals possible. We may need to adjust totals here as new data comes clearer for Tuesday.
Stay tuned for the icing portion of this forecast. Northern lower Michigan will see significant icing which is not shown or communicated in this forecast graphic or write up.
Within the 0.25” and 0.50” zones, we expect multiple power outages along with scattered tree damage as a result of the weight of the ice and gusty winds combining. These outages may be multi-day outages, and those in these two zones should take necessary precautionary actions to ensure you are ready.
Outside of the heaviest ice accretion, near impossible travel should be expected due to icing and heavy snow that may blow around.
Speaking of blowing around, winds will be gusting between 40-50mph across northern lower Michigan on both Sunday and Monday. This will aide in further worsening of tree damage and power outages.
The WORST of the freezing rain occurs Sunday evening and continues into Monday morning. We expect Monday to be the worst of the event for the icing area.
Please see our previous forecast for snowfall information, and please reference our wind map set to be posted around 7:30pm which focuses on Sunday.