Gaylord Area Trail Report – 01/02
Gaylord Bureau –
January 2, 2025
1:30 p.m.
We had an epic start to snowmobile season – the Gaylord area got hit with over 90 inches of snow to start out winter!
We received 4 inches of snow overnight and there’s more on the way! Trail 7 is being packed today and is in fair shape. Check out this live feed to see trail #7, just north of Gaylord.
A few things to remember about groomers:
– Groomers are out there to help you have a better riding experience and always have the right of way.
– Please move off the trail when groomers are coming and allow them to safely pass.
– If you approach a groomer from behind, kindly wait for the operator to signal you to pass.
– Grooming can take place at any time during the day or night.
– Have fun and stay safe!
Want to be ready? Get a free trail map delivered right to your mailbox and plan your adventure!
As always, check back with us for updates and weather reports.
http://www.gaylordmichigan.net/snowmobile-trail-report-114/
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Here we go again for another fresh start. About 4 to 5 fresh inches of fluffy lake effect snow here in Frederic today Jan 2. Its 1:30 p.m. and I didnt get here till about noon. We had only about 2 inches in Grayling and I have seen 6 sleds this morning. Rich and Lisa rode in from Lakes of the North and they said they have more snow there. Their pic is below with 2 other pics I took outside here this morning. I still call this very marginal riding snow as you just go right thru to the dirt on the first pass but we have to start over so we can build from here. My gut feeling is that there will be a fair amount of riders around friday and saturday as there is supposed to be more snow coming but we really need a nice thick system snow to get it packing. So let get this winter going. Thanks for checking in. Pete
http://frederic-mi.com/category/trail-conditions/
Postings From Regional Pages On Facebook
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Gaylord Michigan >> Snow returns tonight west of I-75 before overspreading the rest of the area into Friday. Light accumulations expected for most, but areas near the Lake Michigan shore will see more snowfall… with some spots potentially seeing upwards of 8”+ by Friday evening. Following the system, rounds of lake effect snow are anticipated into next week with colder weather. Be sure to monitor the forecast for the latest updates! #miweather #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskey
FREDERIC - GAYLORD AREA UPDATE via Sledheads of Frederic , Michigan Snowmobiling >> Its sunny and a chilly 12 degrees at 11:30 a.m. on thursday. It was nice and cold last night at 5 degrees and its supposed to stay cold with a small amount of snow the next few days. There were some sleds out and about yesterday and I havent seen any today. Still very icy out there and I expect that to stay so be careful... #gaylord #snowphotos
frederic-mi.com
Its sunny and a chilly 12 degrees at 11:30 a.m. on thursday. It was nice and cold last night at 5 degrees and its supposed to stay cold with a small amount of snow the next few days. There were som…WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Gaylord Michigan >> Below zero wind chills continue this morning across most of Northern Michigan. Winds chills will be in the teens below zero or colder in parts of eastern upper and north central Lower Michigan. Be sure to bundle up!
A cold Thursday is ahead, though our weather will otherwise be relatively quiet with decreasing lake effect snow and decreasing winds. Another system will spread snow back into the area late tonight into Friday. Several inches of accumulation are possible near Lake Michigan in both peninsulas. This system will allow temperatures to briefly rebound early this weekend. However, Arctic air settles back in by Monday, with continued lake effect snow showers in the snowbelts. #miweather #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskey
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.
Cold temperatures will impact the entire region with wind chills below zero this afternoon into Thursday morning. #miweather #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskey
FREDERIC - GAYLORD AREA UPDATE via Sledheads of Frederic , Michigan Snowmobiling >> For the third time this winter I had the big loader come and pile snow up. The good part about that is more room for sled trailer storage. I was surprised to see a little bit of white outside this morning when I got up. We had an awful lot of rain yesterday and it was looking pretty bad out there late yesterday afternoon. Its now about 2 on Wednesday. The good part for this coming weekend is that temps are going to go down to the teens or below the next few days. While it is slick and icy underneath we should keep snow we have and light amounts are predicted for each day this week. So it should make it rideable for this weekend. #gaylord #snowphotos
Bringing out the heavy equipment(again)
frederic-mi.com
For the third time this winter I had the big loader come and pile snow up. The good part about that is more room for sled trailer storage. I was surprised to see a little bit of white outside this …GAYLORD AREA UPDATE via Swamp II Bar & Restaurant in Frederic MI >> Wednesday Jan. 14th. Snow on and off today and reported everyday this week/weekend! #gaylord #snowphotos
Right now in Gaylord
How many people live in Greenland? 
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.
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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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.
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
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.
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