SAULT STE. MARIE UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association – 12/11
It’s hard to say how much snow we picked up last night because it is really heavy, wet snow. I’d say maybe 5”? We have lost a few inches by last night before the snow came. Snow gauge here close to the groomer barn reads 14” again. We have escaped the rain so far but radar shows ice heading our way in the next hour. Tree branches are weighed down with heavy snow which may cause some branches to break, especially if we get the gusty winds that are forecasted. It’s pretty calm right at this moment but the storm is not over. A few of us are going to head out a little later on sleds to check things out. Again, no grooming yet because of warm temps. The good news is that it’s 34 right now and that’s the high for the day. Be safe if you head out there and watch for water holes and downed branches. Please help remove what you can if it’s safe to do so. Thanks! Think cold!🥶
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Gaylord Michigan >> A quick-moving clipper system crosses northern MI tonight. Primarily rain is expected across much of northern lower, with mainly snow through the Straits and eastern U.P. Snow will likely end as a period of freezing drizzle early Friday morning with a coating of ice possible, mainly in eastern upper. #miweather #gaylord#cadillac#benzie#traversecity#petoskey #soo #newberryA quick-moving clipper system crosses northern MI tonight. Primarily rain is expected across much of northern lower, with mainly snow through the Straits and eastern U.P. Snow will likely end as a period of freezing drizzle early Friday morning with a coating of ice possible, mainly in eastern upper. ... See MoreSee Less
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Key Messages: Today, highs near 40, partly to mostly cloudy. Tonight, rain with some snow (mostly north and east, as shown in the map) and freezing rain mixing in. Lows near 30. Friday, mostly cloudy, highs in the mid 30s (north, east) to near 50 (MI/WI state line). Weekend, tracking the potential for accumulating snow or freezing rain. Chances of 3+ inches of wet snow around 30% mainly Saturday night. #miweather #keweenaw#westernup#marquette#munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaKey Messages: Today, highs near 40, partly to mostly cloudy. Tonight, rain with some snow (mostly north and east, as shown in the map) and freezing rain mixing in. Lows near 30. Friday, mostly cloudy, highs in the mid 30s (north, east) to near 50 (MI/WI state line). Weekend, tracking the potential for accumulating snow or freezing rain. Chances of 3+ inches of wet snow around 30% mainly Saturday night. ... See MoreSee Less
SAULT STE. MARIE AREA UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association >> 3/17/26 Last one for the day! Bryan hit the city trails this evening and they turned out great! The wet areas he saw a week ago are nonexistent now. He saw quite a bit of sled traffic for a Tuesday. Great to see people out enjoying the fresh snow and beautiful day! Thank you, Bryan!!❄️❄️❄️ #soo #soo0317h#snowphotos... See MoreSee Less
SAULT STE. MARIE AREA UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association >> 3/17/26 Sorry for all of the posts today! As you can see, we’ve been busy! Pics from Kenny on his run with Raco Dave this morning on the 889 loop, 480 north of M28, and 8 along the powerline. They report that it turned out great! Thanks guys!❄️❄️❄️ #soo #soo0317f#snowphotos... See MoreSee Less
WEATHER UPDATE via Michigan Storm Chasers >> Final snowfall totals have been released from our blizzard of March 15th-17th, 2026 here in Michigan. Do note, some locations are approximated due to data gaps in the Upper Peninsula..... #miweather #keweenaw#westernup#marquette#munising #seney #newberry #soo #gaylord#cadillac#benzie#traversecity#petoskeyFinal snowfall totals have been released from our blizzard of March 15th-17th, 2026 here in Michigan. Do note, some locations are approximated due to data gaps in the Upper Peninsula.
No doubt the forecast lived up to its insanity, with many locations getting over 40" of snow across the central Upper Peninsula, and 8-10 foot snow drifts to make things even more extreme. In terms of forecast verification, our forecast did hit the 80%+ accuracy threshold we strive for after each event. Our final verification was 83%, and most of the the misses were where the system shifted slightly south to give parts of the northern Lower Peninsula greater than 24", and parts of the western Upper Peninsula much less. Anything over 18" of snow is just "a lot" at this point anyways, so we aren't stressing too badly about the miss in the Lower Peninsula near the Mackinac Bridge. Lake effect zones in SW Michigan did verify, as text was featured under the forecast that a couple spots would see locally higher amounts.
Overall, this will be a storm we won't soon forget, which adds to the list of wild weather we've experienced in Michigan over the last two weeks. If you have any additional snowfall reports to add to the list that are not affected by drifting, drop them in the comments below here on X or Facebook. A new two-day record was also broken at the NWS office in Marquette of 36"+ with this blizzard, which is just one record smashed by this blizzard. ... See MoreSee Less