Michigan Snowmobile Trail Report

Friday December 26th, 2025 - 9:44 pm

WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Gaylord Michigan >> An impactful storm system will move into Michigan Sunday into early next week, with accumulating snow, strong winds, and blowing snow. The best chances for heavy snow will be across the Upper Peninsula, and the snow belts of lower Michigan. Rain will likely mix in for portions of lower Michigan during the day on Sunday before transitioning to snow during the Sunday night into Monday time frame. There is still uncertainty in snow amounts and the intensity of the storm system, so be sure to check back for updates! #miweather #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskeyAn impactful storm system will move into Michigan Sunday into early next week, with accumulating snow, strong winds, and blowing snow. The best chances for heavy snow will be across the Upper Peninsula, and the snow belts of lower Michigan. Rain will likely mix in for portions of lower Michigan during the day on Sunday before transitioning to snow during the Sunday night into Monday time frame. There is still uncertainty in snow amounts and the intensity of the storm system, so be sure to check back for updates! ... See MoreSee Less

Michigan Snowmobile Trail Report

Friday December 26th, 2025 - 2:46 am

WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Gaylord Michigan >> Here's the latest on the wintry mix tonight into Friday. Expect 3-6" of snow across the E UP, up to 2" of snow/sleet in northern lower N of M-72 in addition to a light glaze of ice, and up to 0.10" of ice accumulation south of M-72. #miweather #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskey #soo #newberryHere's the latest on the wintry mix tonight into Friday. Expect 3-6" of snow across the E UP, up to 2" of snow/sleet in northern lower N of M-72 in addition to a light glaze of ice, and up to 0.10" of ice accumulation south of M-72. ... See MoreSee Less

Michigan Snowmobile Trail Report

Thursday December 25th, 2025 - 12:03 pm

WEATHER UPDATE via Michigan Storm Chasers >> On top of our second call ice map, here is our second call snowfall map for December 26th, 2025. It's a messy system with multiple precipitation types, so be sure to click on our page to go see our ice forecast.... #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsarea #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskeyOn top of our second call ice map, here is our second call snowfall map for December 26th, 2025. It's a messy system with multiple precipitation types, so be sure to click on our page to go see our ice forecast.

Discussion
The north side of the low will have much colder air, and the deformation zone for this event will be set up across the eastern UP and Lake Superior region. Totals greater than 1" of snow (some melting) will be confined north of M-55 to the Mackinac Bridge, while totals closer to the 3"+ mark are confined from St. Ignace up to Paradise and Sault Ste. Marie. Additionally, the Keweenaw Peninsula also may see the highest snowfall totals too.

You may have noticed that we added a new color for this event only. Because there is a gradual change from rain to snow... freezing rain, and even sleet is expected with this event. Sleet is like the shared sibling between snow and freezing rain. Sleet is snow that melted to rain really high up immediately after falling from the clouds, but spent enough time in the cold sector after melting to reform into tiny pellets. Freezing rain, however, forms when there isn't enough time for the rain to reform back into those tiny ice pellets due to that warm sector close to the ground, but because the ground itself IS a cold sector, it freezes on contact. Yes, sleet is slippery, but due to its properties, it's not quite as impactful. Still, because of the sleet's size, it accumulates in tenths of an inch similar to snow instead of hundredths like freezing rain. As a result, much of the white trace-1" corridor will likely fall as <1" of both snow and sleet. Again, not a huge amount, but worth mentioning. Timing for this snowfall will be similar to that of the ice. Anytime from 6 am EST Friday through the end of the day Friday is the expected duration.

Winter weather advisories are now in effect for the eastern UP regarding this snowfall. We will have traffic impact maps and timing maps coming later this afternoon after our Christmas morning activities. See you all back here soon!

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