Harbor Springs Trail Report – 12/23
HARBOR SPRINGS AREA UPDATE via Harbor Springs Snowmobile Club – 12/23 TRAIL UPDATE ❄️ HARBOR SPRINGS AREA UPDATE via Harbor Springs Snowmobile Club – 12/22 Our first groomer hit the trails on the railroad grade to do some panning yesterday. There is very little snow up towards Mackinaw but as you go south it’s much better (about 8” south of Pellston). ⚠️ We have two groomers headed out this afternoon to pan on the East & West sides from our Harbor Groomer barn. This is the only time we ever groom during the day – so please watch out if you are out riding!! ⚠️ The storm that’s headed our way is expected to dump 1-2 feet of snow but with that they are calling for 50mph winds. That is going to leave us a major mess, so be patient with us as it is also the Holidays. We will update you after the storm. HARBOR SPRINGS AREA UPDATE via Harbor Springs Snowmobile Club – 12/21 It’s the first day of winter & we are one month away from the 58th annual Moose Jaw Safari! <> <> WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Gaylord Michigan >> Lake effect snow showers will continue into tonight across parts of northern Michigan. The highest amounts of additional snow are expected in areas near and southwest of Grand Traverse Bay, with 2-6” this afternoon through tonight. HARBOR SPRINGS AREA UPDATE via Harbor Springs Snowmobile Club >> We are only three days away from the 61st Annual Moose Jaw Safari!! The forecast for Saturday is looking to be in the high 20’s with a chance of snow. WEATHER UPDATE via Michigan Storm Chasers >> Here is your final look at snowfall totals over a 36-hour period from tonight, through midday Thursday, January 14th through 15th, 2026. NOTE, snow will start overnight for the UP, but later tomorrow morning into the afternoon for the LP. WEATHER UPDATE via Meteorologist Brad Sugden >> SNOW TIME!! Lake effect areas, you're about to be buried in some locations! This is purely lake effect that kicks in Wednesday morning and lasts through Thursday afternoon. Thursday afternoon the lake effect subsides as another clipper system moves in. WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Gaylord Michigan>> Lake effect snow spread across northern Michigan tonight through Thursday night. While most areas can expect only an inch or less of accumulations… areas southwest of Grand Traverse Bay will observe 3-5” with locally higher amounts of 8”+. Widespread falling temperatures will impact the entire region with wind chills near/below zero by Wednesday morning. #miweather #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskeyLake effect snow spread across northern Michigan tonight through Thursday night. While most areas can expect only an inch or less of accumulations… areas southwest of Grand Traverse Bay will observe 3-5” with locally higher amounts of 8”+. Widespread falling temperatures will impact the entire region with wind chills near/below zero by Wednesday morning. WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Gaylord Michigan >> Times of rain, snow and a rain/snow mix will be seen today for most of northern MI today. Up to 2 inches of wet, slushy snow is possible for parts of eastern upper by this evening. Some spots could see brief freezing rain, however temperatures will rise to above freezing today for most areas. Strong winds, cold temperatures and accumulating snow will be seen late tonight. #miweather #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskeyTimes of rain, snow and a rain/snow mix will be seen today for most of northern MI today. Up to 2 inches of wet, slushy snow is possible for parts of eastern upper by this evening. Some spots could see brief freezing rain, however temperatures will rise to above freezing today for most areas. Strong winds, cold temperatures and accumulating snow will be seen late tonight. <> Latest Trail Reports – Quick Links <>
Everything has been panned and the snow base really varies: The thinner spots are going to be north of carp lake & the Alanson trail. Please keep in mind water holes are not frozen, the biggest one bing behind the Harbor groomer barn. As long as we get the snow they are calling for we should be in pretty good shape.
Second thing we want to address is the second picture. Someone intentionally ran over several of our signs on the Alanson trail this week. Witnesses say there has been an older maroon jeep Cherokee on 35’s out on the snowmobile trails & we believe they are the ones that are doing this. Our club members are all volunteers & we spend a lot of time signing & preparing our trails for the season, to come across this is very disheartening.
Ride your vintage or new sled on some of the finest trails to Larks Lake, Saturday January 21st.
Let’s make this year a record year, like this post if your going!Postings From Regional Pages On Facebook
Cold temperatures will impact the entire region with wind chills below zero this afternoon into Thursday morning. #miweather #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskey 
We haven’t had groomers out this week yet as temperatures were too warm Monday night & last night. We have some snow on the way today and will have groomers heading out on Thursday and Friday to get the trails ready.
You can still buy your raffle tickets before the event at Beach's Up North Tavern & at Clyde's Place! We will also have them for sale the day of the event.
If you’re bringing your vintage sled, drop a picture in the comments & show it off. #harborsprings #petoskeyWe are only three days away from the 61st Annual Moose Jaw Safari!! The forecast for Saturday is looking to be in the high 20’s with a chance of snow.
We haven’t had groomers out this week yet as temperatures were too warm Monday night & last night. We have some snow on the way today and will have groomers heading out on Thursday and Friday to get the trails ready.
You can still buy your raffle tickets before the event at Beach's Up North Tavern & at Clyde's Place! We will also have them for sale the day of the event.
If you’re bringing your vintage sled, drop a picture in the comments & show it off.
Discussion
Lake effect snow is the rave with this one. Winds almost directly out of the north coupled with low-level DGZ and strong forcing will allow for many of the areas in dark blue, and especially pink pick up well over half a foot of fresh snow with this event. Hyper-localized banding is expected, which is when the span of 20 miles sees a difference in snow accumulation of 1", to perhaps 12-18". A 1° change in wind direction will help, or hurt your chances at significant snowfall if you're right along the lakeshore areas, especially SW Michigan.
Inland areas will only see under an inch within an initial snow squall and light lake effect afterward. We are not confident that the stretch from Lansing to Port Huron will get more than 1.5", but we put 1-3" just in case. Lake Huron will also show off lake effect snow, with parts of Huron county seeing 4-8". To the north, northwest lower Michigan will see 2-5" and 4-8", with a localized swath of 6"+ near Manistee and points surrounding. Lastly, the UP will see its highest totals along the higher elevation areas of the central portion of the peninsula.
Wind gusts up to 30 mph, even 40-45 mph are likely with this snow, and as a result, near-zero visibilities and drifted roads may occur near each lakeshore. Allow extra travel time when driving on Wednesday in the 4-8", or 6-12"/6-18" zones. We will have radar, weather camera, and traffic updates coming tomorrow as the snow comes down, so drop a follow here at Michigan Storm Chasers for coverage. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsarea #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskeyHere is your final look at snowfall totals over a 36-hour period from tonight, through midday Thursday, January 14th through 15th, 2026. NOTE, snow will start overnight for the UP, but later tomorrow morning into the afternoon for the LP.
Discussion
Lake effect snow is the rave with this one. Winds almost directly out of the north coupled with low-level DGZ and strong forcing will allow for many of the areas in dark blue, and especially pink pick up well over half a foot of fresh snow with this event. Hyper-localized banding is expected, which is when the span of 20 miles sees a difference in snow accumulation of 1", to perhaps 12-18". A 1° change in wind direction will help, or hurt your chances at significant snowfall if you're right along the lakeshore areas, especially SW Michigan.
Inland areas will only see under an inch within an initial snow squall and light lake effect afterward. We are not confident that the stretch from Lansing to Port Huron will get more than 1.5", but we put 1-3" just in case. Lake Huron will also show off lake effect snow, with parts of Huron county seeing 4-8". To the north, northwest lower Michigan will see 2-5" and 4-8", with a localized swath of 6"+ near Manistee and points surrounding. Lastly, the UP will see its highest totals along the higher elevation areas of the central portion of the peninsula.
Wind gusts up to 30 mph, even 40-45 mph are likely with this snow, and as a result, near-zero visibilities and drifted roads may occur near each lakeshore. Allow extra travel time when driving on Wednesday in the 4-8", or 6-12"/6-18" zones. We will have radar, weather camera, and traffic updates coming tomorrow as the snow comes down, so drop a follow here at Michigan Storm Chasers for coverage.
-- Trusted Partner on Wednesday --
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Temperatures are warmest Wednesday morning then drop significantly into the late afternoon and evening. Many will have wind chills below zero.
Snow will be fluffy and BLOWING. Gusts near 40mph can be expected. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #munising #newberry #soo #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskey