Traverse City Trail Report – 12/27
TRAVERSE CITY AREA UPDATE via Ranch Rudolf – 12/27
An update for 12/28:
On Wednesday we will be open from 11am to 6pm with food available 12pm to 4pm.
As you may already know, Sid is a guy who loves his big horses! This is the first time in a long time we’ve been able to use the sleigh Christmas week. Usually there isn’t enough solid snow for the horses to be able to pull the runners until later in the season, so this has been a real treat! Whether wheels or runners, Beau and Knox do not disappoint! There are available ride times Jan 2 and 3. Call us at 231-947-9529 to reserve a time.
Groomers were running today. Trails range from good to fair shape. There have been lots of people out enjoying the trails this week, which is wonderful. Trails are wearing thin in spots and we’re just hoping to fare okay during the upcoming warmer temps that are forecasted. Get out tomorrow if you are able, it’ll be better riding than Thursday.
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Area Reports:
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Postings From Regional Pages On Facebook
TRAVERSE CITY AREA UPDATE via Grand Traverse Area Snowmobile Club >> Just waiting on some snow.....we were forecasted to get 2 to 7 inches the other day. The majority of the trails system received about an inch of snow. One narrow snow band set up and put down about 5-6 inches of fluff. The trail base is a bit icy but smooth. We have a couple of inches forecasted each day for the next 5 days. We anticipate getting the groomer back out soon. I will update you when this happens or just keep an eye out for them on Groomer Tracker. Remember, Ride Right, Ride Safe, Ride Sober. #traversecity
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
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
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 --
Top Gun Roofing & Exteriors | 616-900-8033, call today for all exterior home needs across the Grand Rapids area!
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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TRAVERSE CITY AREA UPDATE via Grand Traverse Area Snowmobile Club >> Just waiting on some snow.....we were forecasted to get 2 to 7 inches the other day. The majority of the trails system received about an inch of snow. One narrow snow band set up and put down about 5-6 inches of fluff. The trail base is a bit icy but smooth. We have a couple of inches forecasted each day for the next 5 days. We anticipate getting the groomer back out soon. I will update you when this happens or just keep an eye out for them on Groomer Tracker. Remember, Ride Right, Ride Safe, Ride Sober. #traversecity
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
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
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 --
Top Gun Roofing & Exteriors | 616-900-8033, call today for all exterior home needs across the Grand Rapids area!
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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Latest Trail Reports – Quick Links
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