SAULT STE. MARIE UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association – 01/24
Update 1/24 Good evening!
A few things going on around here today.
1st, we had a brand new volunteer start today, welcome Jeff! He went on a ride along in the Kinross area with groomer Dave. Unfortunately, we had a track failure (NOT due to either of the operators) so the run was short lived. Heck of a first day, eh? This particular machine already had one track replaced with a spare earlier this season and this is another failure. We had given a track to Seney last year so we’re out of spares now. We have had tracks on order for some time with no ETA. Fortunately, our buddy Rex with Chippewa Snowchasers got word of our troubles and enlisted the help of DNR trail specialist PJ to track one down. Big thanks to Rex, PJ, and Grand Marais Sno-Trails Assoc. for helping us out! Tom and Mike will be on their way to Grand Marais in the AM to get the track.
Meanwhile, several other of our volunteers are working this evening to unhook the drag on #8 that is down, get it back to the Soo barn, and get the old #7 groomer down to Kinross until we can get #8 fixed up. Both will have to go via flatbed since trail 49 is still impassible via groomer south of the Soo all the way to Kinross. We appologize if 472, 480, 49 south of Gaines Hwy and 494 are a little rough until we can make the swap and get them groomed.
Additionally, we’ve made arrangements with a local farmer to pick up some straw to fill in our trouble spot water holes along 472 near 480 in the coming days. We’ll have volunteers out placing the straw and using the groomer to cover them with snow. I’ll share pics and update how it goes. Never had to do this before but we have seen Les Cheneaux have success with it.
Otherwise, trails are really in great shape. 8 from the Soo all the way through Raco, 480, 889, and the city trail system are all holding up really well. We got a little snow last night, a little more today, and temps are about to drop for an extended period of time…finally! With some luck, maybe we can get 49 all the way open in a couple of weeks.
Race week begins next week so it’ll be a fun and exciting time to be in the Soo and surrounding area!
Thanks again to our fellow clubs for helping us out!
We really are all in it together, all for the love of the sport and what it brings to our local economy.
SAULT STE. MARIE AREA UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association >> 2/25/26 Good morning all! We didn’t end up with as much new snow as we wanted out of the system, but lake effect is lingering a bit. I show about 4” of new snow here in the Soo. It looks like just west us (Brimley/Raco) got a little more. Once operators are out rolling and send me updates, I’ll be sure to share! Thank you! #soo #soo0225#snowphotos2/25/26
Good morning all!
We didn’t end up with as much new snow as we wanted out of the system, but lake effect is lingering a bit. I show about 4” of new snow here in the Soo. It looks like just west us (Brimley/Raco) got a little more.
Once operators are out rolling and send me updates, I’ll be sure to share!
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 ... See MoreSee Less
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 ... See MoreSee Less
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.
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.
For zoomed in Michigan regional maps, find us on Patreon!
-- Trusted Partner of the Day -- Storm Guard Metro Detroit North | Based out of north Metro Detroit, call 248-985-3239 for your top go-to option for exterior work in the area, and let them know MSC sent you! ... See MoreSee Less
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Winter Storm Warnings and Winter Weather Advisories are in effect Tuesday for widespread accumulating snowfall. With wind gusts of up to 30 mph, falling and blowing snow can cause low visibility and tough road conditions! Widespread snow gives way to WNW wind lake effect snow, providing additional 1-3 inches of snow Tuesday night to the Keweenaw and the north half of the eastern UP. #miweather #keweenaw#westernup#marquette#munising #seney #newberry #sooWinter Storm Warnings and Winter Weather Advisories are in effect Tuesday for widespread accumulating snowfall. With wind gusts of up to 30 mph, falling and blowing snow can cause low visibility and tough road conditions! Widespread snow gives way to WNW wind lake effect snow, providing additional 1-3 inches of snow Tuesday night to the Keweenaw and the north half of the eastern UP. ... See MoreSee Less
WEATHER UPDATE via TV6 & FOX UP >> FIRST ALERT: Our next round of widespread snow comes tomorrow! Lake enhanced snow is expected in the Eastern U.P. Plan on moderate to heavy intensities with poor visibility from strong winds. Watch the timeline in the link below. #miweather #keweenaw#westernup#marquette#munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaFIRST ALERT: Our next round of widespread snow comes tomorrow! Lake enhanced snow is expected in the Eastern U.P. Plan on moderate to heavy intensities with poor visibility from strong winds. Watch the timeline in the link below. Forecast>www.uppermichiganssource.com/2026/02/23/first-alert-brief-lull-then-more-snow-strong-winds/... See MoreSee Less
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Lake effect snow continues through tonight, with the highest additional accumulations expected over the north-central and western UP. Gusty north winds will contribute to blowing snow and areas of very low visibility along M-28 between Marquette and Munising today, as well as parts of the Keweenaw. Lake effect finally tapers off Monday morning. #miweather #keweenaw#westernup#marquette#munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsarea... See MoreSee Less
SAULT STE. MARIE AREA UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association >> 2/22/26 Good morning everyone! Last night, temps got just below 30 so all 3 of our machines were out doing what they could. The Pisten Bully was out twice, doing both routes in the Bay Mills/Brimley/Raco areas. Jay was out on 8 from the Soo to Brimley, and did an extended run to also do part of the city trails. Kinross east which is 472 and part of 480 to where the Bully picks up were also done. The entire city trails will be done tonight. I’m awaiting word on the plan for trail 49. Our operator that was scheduled to go this morning was not able to go out, so we are making plans to make sure it gets done. Bill sent us these pics from his run on part of 480, 8, and the 889 loop this morning. Looks awesome!! Every operator said trails were rough from the combination of warm temps, rain Friday, and high traffic. Hopefully they set up decent overnight, and are much better this morning with the exception of 49. I’ll update on that as soon as I can, but it will likely be rough today. Sorry guys😔 Thanks all! Ride safe! ❄️❄️❄️ #soo #soo0222b#snowphotos... See MoreSee Less
SAULT STE. MARIE AREA UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association >> 2/22/26 Groomer Jay is making it an extra long run tonight. He’s finishing up on trail 8, and he’s going to run part of the city trails too it sounds like. Kenny did get trail 8 from Raco to Brimley done tonight, too, so 8 has been done in its entirety on our section from the Soo all the way to Ranger Rd. in Raco. As Jay says in the video, the work in the ditch along 6 mile in Brimley is done, but with the recent warm temps and one machine still down, we cannot risk getting this machine stuck. We need to assess it on sleds first. We know the road riding is a pain, and we’ll do what we can as soon as we can. Please check out the The Cozy Corners Barbeau MI page for more details about all of the fun for a great cause this coming Saturday. Let’s have a great turn out for Collin, and have some fun too! Thank you Jay and Kenny for your runs tonight! Cold temps are finally here, and that will help us get things back into shape everywhere. Have fun tomorrow! ❄️❄️❄️ #soo #soo0222#snowphotos... See MoreSee Less