Benzie – Manistee Area Trail Report – 12/31
BENZIE – MANISTEE AREA UPDATE via Benzie Manistee Snowbirds >> 12/31 Good news everyone, we have snow. Our grooming operations will be resuming today / tomorrow depending upon our progress of removing downed trees blocking our trail segments. If you are riding and come across tree branches and other debris on the trail system, please stop and remove them from the trail instead of driving around them. This really helps speed up our trail cleanup efforts and will get the groomers out grooming sooner. <> <> Benzie-Manistee Snowmobile Club Facebook Page >>>> Website: www.benziemanisteesnowbirds.com <> BENZIE - MANISTEE AREA UPDATE via Benzie Manistee Snowbirds >> The Benzie Manistee Snowbird groomers have been out grooming trails since Monday, doing our best to maintain conditions despite the warming temperatures and limited snow cover. WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Gaylord Michigan >> Snow and gusty winds return through the day today, with hazardous travel conditions likely this afternoon into the evening. Heaviest snowfall is expected across eastern upper Michigan, with travel impacts likely along US 2 west of St. Ignace due to gusty southerly winds. For northern lower, the heaviest snowfall generally favors spots along and north of M-32. Activity will transition to lake effect snow tonight. #miweather #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskey #soo #newberrySnow and gusty winds return through the day today, with hazardous travel conditions likely this afternoon into the evening. Heaviest snowfall is expected across eastern upper Michigan, with travel impacts likely along US 2 west of St. Ignace due to gusty southerly winds. For northern lower, the heaviest snowfall generally favors spots along and north of M-32. Activity will transition to lake effect snow tonight. #MIwx WEATHER UPDATE via Michigan Storm Chasers >> Here's our last call snowfall outlook regarding the system starting today, February 24th, and finishing up Wednesday, February 25th, 2026... #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskeyHere's our last call snowfall outlook regarding the system starting today, February 24th, and finishing up Wednesday, February 25th, 2026. WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Gaylord Michigan >> Snowfall is expected to overspread northern Michigan later Tuesday morning…with the heaviest snowfall expected Tuesday afternoon and early evening before tapering off. Heaviest snowfall is expected from the Tip of the Mitt northward into eastern Upper where snowfall amounts may exceed 8 inches. Brisk southerly winds will also contribute to blowing and drifting snow; this may adversely impact road conditions and travel along US-2 in western Mackinac county. #miweather #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskeySnowfall is expected to overspread northern Michigan later Tuesday morning…with the heaviest snowfall expected Tuesday afternoon and early evening before tapering off. Heaviest snowfall is expected from the Tip of the Mitt northward into eastern Upper where snowfall amounts may exceed 8 inches. Brisk southerly winds will also contribute to blowing and drifting snow; this may adversely impact road conditions and travel along US-2 in western Mackinac county. WEATHER UPDATE via Michigan Storm Chasers >> Not much change since yesterday's first call snowfall outlook for snow primarily across northern and central Michigan incoming for February 24th & 25th. Much of the snow during this time frame will fall starting after 9 am Tuesday, and finish up by 9 am Wednesday, with light lake effect snow or freezing drizzle mixing in. Totals south of US-10 will generally be lower due to warmer temperatures at the surface. We did shift around the Upper Peninsula 4-8" snowfall forecasts to account for some lake enhancement within the system, coupled with lift from the hilly terrain. Same story for around Gaylord where totals may exceed 4". Winds within this system may gust up to 30 mph, so some reduced visibility chances are expected if you go into the Upper Peninsula primarily. Scattered travel impacts are also possible across the northern Lower Peninsula. We will likely have a last call map out right before the snow begins tomorrow morning. Stick around here at MSC! #miweather #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskeyNot much change since yesterday's first call snowfall outlook for snow primarily across northern and central Michigan incoming for February 24th & 25th. Much of the snow during this time frame will fall starting after 9 am Tuesday, and finish up by 9 am Wednesday, with light lake effect snow or freezing drizzle mixing in. Totals south of US-10 will generally be lower due to warmer temperatures at the surface. We did shift around the Upper Peninsula 4-8" snowfall forecasts to account for some lake enhancement within the system, coupled with lift from the hilly terrain. Same story for around Gaylord where totals may exceed 4". Winds within this system may gust up to 30 mph, so some reduced visibility chances are expected if you go into the Upper Peninsula primarily. Scattered travel impacts are also possible across the northern Lower Peninsula. We will likely have a last call map out right before the snow begins tomorrow morning. Stick around here at MSC! WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Gaylord Michigan >> Transitioning to lake effect snow today. Heavier snowfall this evening across far northeast lower Michigan. Occasionally heavier snow showers near / south of Grand Traverse Bay. <> Latest Trail Reports – Quick Links <>
Also, the new trail segment “Thompsonville Express” is now open. This new segment runs from Kaleva directly into Thompsonville crossing the new Bear Creak bridge. A big thanks goes out to DNR and AJ’s Excavating for getting the new bridge constructed and opened early this season for us.Postings From Regional Pages On Facebook
Our crews have been busy filling holes, clearing downed trees, and repairing ruts caused by vehicles that traveled on the trails during last week’s warm weather. While we’ve made significant improvements, riders should remain cautious, as some areas still have visible vehicle ruts.
Please use extra caution on Trail 3 between High Bridge and Hodenpyle Dam, where conditions are more challenging.
Ride safe and thank you for your patience and support! #benzie #snowphotos 
Discussion
The only significant changes to the map shown since yesterday are the addition of a 6-12" zone to focus on the back-side lake effect snow through the end of the day on Wednesday that will bump up totals across the eastern Upper Peninsula, and a slight shift south of the 1-3" zone towards Kalamazoo and Ann Arbor. Besides a few wobbles, the 2-5" and 4-8" zones remain largely the same. The entire Upper Peninsula now has winter alerts issued for this incoming snow. Notice, we've added a dashed green line to denote that areas south of it will deal with greater uncertainty in higher snowfall totals due to daytime temperatures above 32°F, plus the presence of low-level dry air filtering into the state. There should still be enough time to give everyone a solid half inch across the state, but for those primarily south of I-94, that may be all.
For timing, truthfully, not everyone will see the peak of precipitation by the end of the day. The front will be taking its time as it crosses the state this morning and afternoon. Upper Peninsula west of Newberry, you'll see your snow beginning by noon. After the noon timeframe, it'll be everyone else across the state. Last to see the precipitation start today will be southeastern Michigan, where flurries/light rain may not start until after 10 pm EST. Remember, gusty winds are possible within this passing winter storm, and as such, travel will become difficult at times as visibility drops to under a half a mile within the highest snowfall rates. Travel with care, and make sure to turn on headlights AND taillights when driving in any snow squall. Snow will finish by noon Wednesday, but continue as lake effect for the Upper Peninsula through the end of Wednesday, as denoted by the circled yellow area.
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Looking ahead- blustery and cold Mon. before the next chance of snow builds Tue. - Tue. night. #miweather #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskeyTransitioning to lake effect snow today. Heavier snowfall this evening across far northeast lower Michigan. Occasionally heavier snow showers near / south of Grand Traverse Bay.
Looking ahead- blustery and cold Mon. before the next chance of snow builds Tue. - Tue. night. #MIwx