Ontonagon Area Trail Report – 01/12
ONTONAGON AREA UPDATE via Scott’s Superior Inn and Cabins >> 01/12 Ontonagon / Porcupine Mountains Snowmobile Trail Report We’ve picked up a couple inches of fresh snow over the last couple days, and the timing couldn’t be better. Looking ahead, 8 to 20 inches of new snow is in the forecast starting toward the end of this week, setting the stage for some incredible riding. Adding to the excitement, a rare polar vortex is on the horizon, bringing colder temperatures that typically fire up lake-effect snow off Lake Superior. That combination is exactly what riders love to see this time of year. The great news is that trails are already in good to excellent condition across the western U.P. Bases are solid, grooming is ongoing, and the colder weather will only help lock everything in. With more snow and sustained cold coming, conditions are expected to improve even further over the next couple of weeks, shaping up for a strong stretch of mid-winter riding. If you’re thinking about planning a trip, now is the time to get it on the calendar. For lodging right on Lake Superior with easy access to Ontonagon and Porcupine Mountains trails, stay at Scott’s Superior Inn and Cabins. Rider-friendly accommodations, hot breakfast, plenty of parking, and a warm, comfortable place to relax after a full day on the trails. Check availability and make Scott’s your home base for an epic western U.P. ride. <> <> <> Visit North Country Snowmobile Club – UP Website >>>> <> Visit North Country Snowmobile Club – UP on Facebook >>>> <> WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Strong westerly winds develop this afternoon and evening, with winds gusting up to 60 mph in the Keweenaw and 45 mph for the remainder of the northern UP near the Superior shoreline. Damaging winds could blow down trees and power lines. Power outages are possible. Travel could be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles. IRONWOOD - WESTERN U.P. UPDATE via Gogebic Range Trail Authority - ORV & Snowmobile Club >> Can you believe it’s almost the end of February!? Let’s hope March riding will be just as epic as the last 3 months! But can they get better than they ready are!? 2026 has proved so far to be the best trail conditions we’ve had in the last 2 years! WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Light snowfall brings generally an inch or less to the area today before leaving this evening. Warm & windy conditions show up Friday ahead of a strong cold front coming in Friday night; areas in the Keweenaw & near Lake Superior could see winds gusting to at least 45 mph or more. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaLight snowfall brings generally an inch or less to the area today before leaving this evening. Warm & windy conditions show up Friday ahead of a strong cold front coming in Friday night; areas in the Keweenaw & near Lake Superior could see winds gusting to at least 45 mph or more. #906wx #miwx LAKE GOGEBIC AREA UPDATE via Gogebic Area Grooming >> Bergland Area Groomer's update for 2-25-26. ONTONAGON AREA UPDATE via Scott's Superior Inn and Cabins >> USA Today named America’s #1 snow destination is living up to its reputation ❄️🔥 WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> A strengthening Clipper low brings a 2-to-6-hour period of moderate to heavy snowfall to the UP today, with the greatest snow totals in the east. In addition, gusty winds will bring areas of blowing snow along the lakeshores. Expect at least hazardous travel today. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaA strengthening Clipper low brings a 2-to-6-hour period of moderate to heavy snowfall to the UP today, with the greatest snow totals in the east. In addition, gusty winds will bring areas of blowing snow along the lakeshores. Expect at least hazardous travel today. #906wx #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. <> Latest Trail Reports – Quick Links <>Postings From Regional Pages On Facebook
Temperatures will plummet tonight, setting up a seasonably cold weekend with some light lake effect snow for the northwest wind belts. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsarea 
It’s been snowing all morning so far!
Come up and enjoy one more last ride! Maybe 3, 4, 6 last rides! Spring riding is just as fun!
Carter was out last night on Trail 2 from Bessemer to Hurley, then out to Trail 160 and back! Carter reports excellent trail conditions! Thank you Carter!! 🙌🏼
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As always, ride safe! #westernup #snowphotos
Quiet Greg out tonight. Iykyk.. 🤣
Trail's are in excellent shape! Temp's were right around zero tonight, looking like a brief warmup on Friday then temp's look to be perfect all next week.. We are moving into March but these next few weeks could be the best riding of the season! Gogebic Area Grooming ❄️❄️❄️ #lakegogebic #westernup #snowphotos
The Keweenaw Peninsula continues to prove why it’s known as one of the snowiest places in the country — now sitting at 245 inches of snowfall this season, including 36 inches in just the last 7 days.
Not to be outdone, the Porcupine Mountains are having a fantastic winter as well, reaching 175 inches total with another 12 inches of fresh snow this past week.
Lake Superior is doing what Lake Superior does best… delivering deep snow, incredible riding conditions, and a true Upper Peninsula winter.
If you’ve been waiting for peak season — this is it.
👉 Trails are building base, fresh snow keeps coming, and the western U.P. is absolutely living up to its name as America’s premier snow destination. #ontonagon #westernup #keweenawUSA Today named America’s #1 snow destination is living up to its reputation ❄️🔥
The Keweenaw Peninsula continues to prove why it’s known as one of the snowiest places in the country — now sitting at 280 inches of snowfall this season, including 36 inches in just the last 7 days.
Not to be outdone, the Porcupine Mountains are having a fantastic winter as well, reaching 175 inches total with another 12 inches of fresh snow this past week.
Lake Superior is doing what Lake Superior does best… delivering deep snow, incredible riding conditions, and a true Upper Peninsula winter.
If you’ve been waiting for peak season — this is it.
👉 Trails are building base, fresh snow keeps coming, and the western U.P. is absolutely living up to its name as America’s premier snow destination.
#Keweenaw #PorcupineMountains #UPWinter #Snowmobiling #LakeEffectSnow
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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