Traverse City Area Trail Report – 12/12
TRAVERSE CITY AREA UPDATE via Grand Traverse Area Snowmobile Club >> 12/12 Trail Update: The entire trail system has been panned and the groomers are now in a holding pattern until we get more snow. The trails are rideable but need more snow. Corners are thin and there are some snirty areas. There is a winter weather advisory for 3-6+ in effect until Saturday P.M., fingers crossed. <> <> <> Grand Traverse Area Snowmobile Club on Facebook >>>> <> Area Reports: Grand Traverse Area Snowmobile Club on Facebook >>>> <> 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 TRAVERSE CITY AREA UPDATE via Sled Solutions >> Gates are back open in Grand Traverse Area Snowmobile Club system. 5" of wet snow fell over night and it's snowing again. #traversecity #snowphotos WEATHER UPDATE via Michigan Storm Chasers >> A second, more significant winter storm is coming Sunday into Monday, and it still looks like a whopper. Confidence is increasing in the following: WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Gaylord Michigan >> Lots of wintry weather ahead! <> Latest Trail Reports – Quick Links <>Postings From Regional Pages On Facebook
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.
•More than a foot of snow for the UP and/or far northern lower Michigan
•Significant icing that may impact the power grid
•Wind gusts that could top 45mph
•Blizzard conditions
We plan to release our first call snow/ice/wind maps for this event later this afternoon. We encourage you to begin preparations as this event could be our biggest winter storm we’ve seen in quite some time. Stay tuned for further details. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskeyA second, more significant winter storm is coming Sunday into Monday, and it still looks like a whopper. Confidence is increasing in the following:
•More than a foot of snow for the UP and/or far northern lower Michigan
•Significant icing that may impact the power grid
•Wind gusts that could top 45mph
•Blizzard conditions
We plan to release our first call snow/ice/wind maps for this event later this afternoon. We encourage you to begin preparations as this event could be our biggest winter storm we’ve seen in quite some time. Stay tuned for further details.
Today: Snow and blowing snow move across northern MI with bursts of heavy snow falling at 1-2" per hour combined with wind gusts of 30-45+ mph likely leading to whiteouts at times, especially this morning. Snow tapers this evening into tonight.
A brief break in wintry weather anticipated Saturday.
Saturday night through Monday: A late season winter storm has its sights set on the Great Lakes region. While uncertainty still exists with regards to specific snowfall/icing amounts and the location of where these highest amounts fall, potential continues to increase for parts of northern MI to see 12-24"+ of snow while others see impactful/heavy icing. Use caution when looking at detailed forecast amounts several days in advance. Stay tuned -- lots more info to come over the next 48 hours. #miweather #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskey