Watersmeet Trail Report – 12/23
WATERSMEET / WESTERN U.P. UPDATE via U.P. Thunder Riders Snowmobile Club – 12/23
Merry Christmas Everyone! Our whole trail system was groomed yesterday. At this time with the blizzard warning we are under the groomers will stay in the barn until Monday Dec. 26 allowing our drivers to enjoy Christmas and stay safe!
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Reports via:
U.P. Thunder Riders Snowmobile Club on Facebook >>>>
U.P. Thunder Riders Trail Report on MSA >>>>
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Postings From Regional Pages On Facebook
IRONWOOD - WESTERN U.P. UPDATE via Gogebic Range Trail Authority - ORV & Snowmobile Club >> Trailboss Carter reports near perfect trail conditions as of last night.
Currently light flurries falling and from the sounds of it a good amount is in store for the weekend!
The Yoop is calling and you must go!! 😉
Kami
GRTA Secretary #westernup #snowphotos
ONTONAGON AREA UPDATE via North Country Snowmobile Club UP >> Finally went for a ride today. Wanted to grab lunch so we rode from White Pine to The Pit Stop Bar & Grill. Trail #12 was fantastic! A big shout out to Wyatt!! After lunch went from Pat's Motorsports in Greenland and took Trail #13 to Trail #12 at Potato Farm Road back into White Pine. Thank you The U.P. Superior Snowmobile Club for a great ride on 13!!! #ontonagon #westernup #snowphotosFinally went for a ride today. Wanted to grab lunch so we rode from White Pine to The Pit Stop Bar & Grill. Trail #12 was fantastic! A big shout out to Wyatt!! After lunch went from Pat's Motorsports in Greenland and took Trail #13 to Trail #12 at Potato Farm Road back into White Pine. Thank you The U.P. Superior Snowmobile Club for a great ride on 13!!!
WATERSMEET - WESTERN U.P. UPDATE via U.P. Thunder Riders Snowmobile Club >> The base on our trails are fantastic! We will groom daily based on groomer availability and weather. Help our efforts by joining club-https://upthunderriders.org/ or
DONATE HERE-https://
www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/94DBZ6P59ULY2
All of these funds will help us continue to have the money to groom the full season! #westernup #snowphotosThe base on our trails are fantastic! We will groom daily based on groomer availability and weather. Help our efforts by joining club-https://upthunderriders.org/ or
DONATE HERE-https://
www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/94DBZ6P59ULY2
All of these funds will help us continue to have the money to groom the full season!
ONTONAGON AREA UPDATE via North Country Snowmobile Club UP >> Trail Report 1/15:
Wyatt and Pisten Bully 22 did some work last night.
Trail #12 from Greenland to White Pine was groomed and has some thin spots closer to Ontonagon and along LP Walsh Road.
Trail #101 is in good condition.
Trail #13 from Trail #101 to Victoria Road was groomed and is in good condition.
Tractor Mac went into the Porkies. Trail #1 from White Pine to Silver City is in fair condition, icey near Lake Superior. From Silver City to The Porkies Ski Hill is very thin with frozen bare spots. The final 6 miles to Lake of the Clouds is in very good condition.
Trail #11 (South Boundary Road) is in very good condition to Trail #102.
Be safe and ride the 906! #ontonagon #westernup #snowphotosTrail Report 1/15:
Wyatt and Pisten Bully 22 did some work last night.
Trail #12 from Greenland to White Pine was groomed and has some thin spots closer to Ontonagon and along LP Walsh Road.
Trail #101 is in good condition.
Trail #13 from Trail #101 to Victoria Road was groomed and is in good condition.
Tractor Mac went into the Porkies. Trail #1 from White Pine to Silver City is in fair condition, icey near Lake Superior. From Silver City to The Porkies Ski Hill is very thin with frozen bare spots. The final 6 miles to Lake of the Clouds is in very good condition.
Trail #11 (South Boundary Road) is in very good condition to Trail #102.
Be safe and ride the 906!
IRONWOOD - WESTERN U.P. UPDATE via Gogebic Range Trail Authority - ORV & Snowmobile Club >> Update: 1.14.2026
We have both tractors going out right now.
Trail 8 / Wakefield to Tula turnaround.
Trail 2 / Wakefield to Marenisco.
The guys will give me a report in the morning as to the trail conditions and will report back!
Ride safe, friends!
Kami
GRTA Secretary #westernupUpdate: 1.14.2026
We have both tractors going out right now.
Trail 8 / Wakefield to Tula turnaround.
Trail 2 / Wakefield to Marenisco.
The guys will give me a report in the morning as to the trail conditions and will report back!
Ride safe, friends!
Kami
GRTA Secretary
ONTONAGON AREA UPDATE via Hamilton's North Coast Adventures >> SO MANY GROOMERS GROOMING!
If you are not riding the western up of Michigan tomorrow, you may be doing it wrong! Green lines mean groomer runs as of TODAY. These clubs are killing it! Thank you groomers! #ontonagon #westernup #snowphotosSO MANY GROOMERS GROOMING!
If you are not riding the western up of Michigan tomorrow, you may be doing it wrong! Green lines mean groomer runs as of TODAY. These clubs are killing it! Thank you groomers!
BESSEMER - WESTERN U.P. UPDATE via Trails-North Powersports LLC >> 🥰 Old man Winter is back ❤️🌬️❄️ 1 to 3 inches turned into 4 to 6 🤟 more snow is predicted through the rest of the week and through the weekend, sooooo what are you waiting for 😊 get up here and ride 🤟🌬️❄️❄️❄️ #westernup #snowphotos
LAKE GOGEBIC AREA UPDATE via Bergland Outfitters Bait Shop & Motel >> We got about 5-6 inches over night. My guests say the trails are awesome thank you to our groomers.
Perch fishing remains dam good .
Lake travel is not bad at all we still recommend snowmobile travel only as we do have layers of slush of 5-6 inches of slush .
2026 HOG A THON March 14th sign up here at the shop
Have a great day #lakegogebic #westernup #snowphotosWe got about 5-6 inches over night. My guests say the trails are awesome thank you to our groomers.
Perch fishing remains dam good .
Lake travel is not bad at all we still recommend snowmobile travel only as we do have layers of slush of 5-6 inches of slush .
2026 HOG A THON March 14th sign up here at the shop
Have a great day
LAKE GOGEBIC AREA UPDATE via Gogebic Area Grooming >> Bergland Area Groomer's report for Tuesday evening 1-13-26..
A little sketchy out there!! When we left the shop around 8pm it was 35° with temp's quickly dropping below freezing. Then the snow and wind picked up which made for a long night. We covered 13n, 1n, 102 and 8w along with our access trail's. There's going to be a lot of drifting out there so use caution when riding. Enjoy!! Gogebic Area Grooming ❄️❄️❄️ #lakegogebic #westernup #snowphotos
SIDNAW - WESTERN U.P. UPDATE via Sno Valley Riders Snowmobile Club >> Groomer Report:
Trail Condition: Good
Last Groomed: January 12th, 2026
It was too warm and the snow was way too sticky to groom on Tuesday.
We will be out tonight to get things fixed up.
Please ride on the RIGHT side of the trail and STOP at the stop signs!
Stay on the trail, if you don’t we could lose trail permissions on private property.
Groomers have the right of way on the trails, pull over and stop to let them safely pass!
We now have Groomer Tracker installed in our groomers.
We groom every day that the weather conditions and equipment allow. Unforeseen circumstances may prevent us from going out, like a major blizzard and being snowed in at our homes or equipment breakdowns. #westernup
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
WATERSMEET - WESTERN U.P. UPDATE via U.P. Thunder Riders Snowmobile Club >> UPDATED 1/14/26- Thank you to all the Watersmeet Groomers! You are doing a fantastic job! We took a ride yesterday and our trails were beautiful. Our Groomer is out this morning for a short run before the warm up. He will cover the highly traveled areas of our trail system. Tomorrow afternoon both groomers will be out to do our complete trail system. BE SAFE AND RIDE RIGHT! #westernup #snowphotos
WEATHER UPDATE via Michigan Storm Chasers >> Two forecasts for today, January 13th, 2026, and Wednesday, January 14th, 2026, regarding system snow, then lake effect snow.
Graphic #1
A clipper moves through today, bringing rain/freezing drizzle to portions of northern Michigan and the UP, especially north of M-55, with some light rain as far south as I-94. This will change over to a rain/snow mix later this afternoon and evening. Brief accumulation amounts will generally be in the T-1" range, although a couple spots could exceed 1", which are areas highlighted by the 1-3" zone. Air temperatures today will generally be at or above freezing in the UP, but evaporative cooling will still keep the ground cooler than the air.
Graphic #2
Lake effect snow ramps up beyond midnight tonight, heading into tomorrow, the 14th. Early indications are that the central UP will see the most with flow directly out of the north. Areas of 2-5" and 4-8" have been displayed as a result for much of the Lake Superior shoreline region to account for this flow. The LP is still a little on the uncertain side for overachievers tomorrow. We are watching the usual Gaylord region, but also immediate shoreline areas of Lake Michigan from Traverse City down to New Buffalo, and the thumb, as continued flow out of the north seems like on Thursday. For now, totals will remain as shown, and our last call for tomorrow will be out early in the morning. Inland areas in the T-1" zone may also see slight improvements if balloon launch data today continues to trend in the right direction.
Timing for both days is for the entirety of both days, as precipitation will be on-and-off throughout the next 48 hours. Travel concerns will generally be on the mild side of things, but don't let that fool you. Drive with care no matter what's falling out there. Follow us here at Michigan Storm Chasers for updates throughout the next couple days as the snow falls. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #munising #newberry #soo #gaylord
ONTONAGON AREA UPDATE via Hamilton's North Coast Adventures >> We took a casual 70mi groomer ride last night! We knew conditions might have been tough, but we are "reasons why to" people instead of "reasons why not"! We ended up running the loop and laying down some mighty good looking ribbons! We groomed from 5pm until 3am (then an hour long drive home to bed!). Trails were found to be in good shape, but we are seeing a few wet areas showing their ugly faces again. Not bad at all, but the snow bridges softened some, so we filled em back in! We groomed out of Ontonagon South down the 12 RR grade, continuing to Rockland on 137. I turned west on 13 and did a double groom of the infamous rock hill, which was again in amazing shape! I then groomed 13 to 101, 101 to 12, 12 to trail 1, trail 1 to White Pine. I turned around and groomed trail 12 back to Ontonagon. Our rental house books up fast, starting this weekend it is booked up until March. Thank you to our customers who support us! Woofta, long night and a long today with an inability to sleep in! Image from Yesterday. 4-12" forecast thru the weekend, awesome!! #ontonagon #westernup #snowphotosWe took a casual 70mi groomer ride last night! We knew conditions might have been tough, but we are "reasons why to" people instead of "reasons why not"! We ended up running the loop and laying down some mighty good looking ribbons! We groomed from 5pm until 3am (then an hour long drive home to bed!). Trails were found to be in good shape, but we are seeing a few wet areas showing their ugly faces again. Not bad at all, but the snow bridges softened some, so we filled em back in! We groomed out of Ontonagon South down the 12 RR grade, continuing to Rockland on 137. I turned west on 13 and did a double groom of the infamous rock hill, which was again in amazing shape! I then groomed 13 to 101, 101 to 12, 12 to trail 1, trail 1 to White Pine. I turned around and groomed trail 12 back to Ontonagon. Our rental house books up fast, starting this weekend it is booked up until March. Thank you to our customers who support us! Woofta, long night and a long today with an inability to sleep in! Image from Yesterday. 4-12" forecast thru the weekend, awesome!!
ONTONAGON AREA UPDATE via North Country Snowmobile Club UP >> Trail Report 1/13:
Steve from Team Hamilton's North Coast Adventures did the work last night!
He hit Trails 137, 13, 101, and 12 from White Pine to Ontonagon! Reporting all are in good to very good condition, with water holes starting to reopen on Trail #12 along LP Walsh Road due to our warm up.
Tractor Mac went int the Porkies and groomed Trails 1 and 11 from White Pine to Lake of the Clouds and South Boundary Road. Very good condition except from Silver City to The Porkies Ski Hill along the big lake where the thin snow is moving to bare spots.
Fingers crossed for colder temperatures and more snow!!
Come ride the 906! #ontonagon #westernup #snowphotosTrail Report 1/13:
Steve from Team Hamilton's North Coast Adventures did the work last night!
He hit Trails 137, 13, 101, and 12 from White Pine to Ontonagon! Reporting all are in good to very good condition, with water holes starting to reopen on Trail #12 along LP Walsh Road due to our warm up.
Tractor Mac went int the Porkies and groomed Trails 1 and 11 from White Pine to Lake of the Clouds and South Boundary Road. Very good condition except from Silver City to The Porkies Ski Hill along the big lake where the thin snow is moving to bare spots.
Fingers crossed for colder temperatures and more snow!!
Come ride the 906!
Load more
IRONWOOD - WESTERN U.P. UPDATE via Gogebic Range Trail Authority - ORV & Snowmobile Club >> Trailboss Carter reports near perfect trail conditions as of last night.
Currently light flurries falling and from the sounds of it a good amount is in store for the weekend!
The Yoop is calling and you must go!! 😉
Kami
GRTA Secretary #westernup #snowphotos
ONTONAGON AREA UPDATE via North Country Snowmobile Club UP >> Finally went for a ride today. Wanted to grab lunch so we rode from White Pine to The Pit Stop Bar & Grill. Trail #12 was fantastic! A big shout out to Wyatt!! After lunch went from Pat's Motorsports in Greenland and took Trail #13 to Trail #12 at Potato Farm Road back into White Pine. Thank you The U.P. Superior Snowmobile Club for a great ride on 13!!! #ontonagon #westernup #snowphotosFinally went for a ride today. Wanted to grab lunch so we rode from White Pine to The Pit Stop Bar & Grill. Trail #12 was fantastic! A big shout out to Wyatt!! After lunch went from Pat's Motorsports in Greenland and took Trail #13 to Trail #12 at Potato Farm Road back into White Pine. Thank you The U.P. Superior Snowmobile Club for a great ride on 13!!!
WATERSMEET - WESTERN U.P. UPDATE via U.P. Thunder Riders Snowmobile Club >> The base on our trails are fantastic! We will groom daily based on groomer availability and weather. Help our efforts by joining club-https://upthunderriders.org/ or
DONATE HERE-https://
www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/94DBZ6P59ULY2
All of these funds will help us continue to have the money to groom the full season! #westernup #snowphotosThe base on our trails are fantastic! We will groom daily based on groomer availability and weather. Help our efforts by joining club-https://upthunderriders.org/ or
DONATE HERE-https://
www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/94DBZ6P59ULY2
All of these funds will help us continue to have the money to groom the full season!
ONTONAGON AREA UPDATE via North Country Snowmobile Club UP >> Trail Report 1/15:
Wyatt and Pisten Bully 22 did some work last night.
Trail #12 from Greenland to White Pine was groomed and has some thin spots closer to Ontonagon and along LP Walsh Road.
Trail #101 is in good condition.
Trail #13 from Trail #101 to Victoria Road was groomed and is in good condition.
Tractor Mac went into the Porkies. Trail #1 from White Pine to Silver City is in fair condition, icey near Lake Superior. From Silver City to The Porkies Ski Hill is very thin with frozen bare spots. The final 6 miles to Lake of the Clouds is in very good condition.
Trail #11 (South Boundary Road) is in very good condition to Trail #102.
Be safe and ride the 906! #ontonagon #westernup #snowphotosTrail Report 1/15:
Wyatt and Pisten Bully 22 did some work last night.
Trail #12 from Greenland to White Pine was groomed and has some thin spots closer to Ontonagon and along LP Walsh Road.
Trail #101 is in good condition.
Trail #13 from Trail #101 to Victoria Road was groomed and is in good condition.
Tractor Mac went into the Porkies. Trail #1 from White Pine to Silver City is in fair condition, icey near Lake Superior. From Silver City to The Porkies Ski Hill is very thin with frozen bare spots. The final 6 miles to Lake of the Clouds is in very good condition.
Trail #11 (South Boundary Road) is in very good condition to Trail #102.
Be safe and ride the 906!
IRONWOOD - WESTERN U.P. UPDATE via Gogebic Range Trail Authority - ORV & Snowmobile Club >> Update: 1.14.2026
We have both tractors going out right now.
Trail 8 / Wakefield to Tula turnaround.
Trail 2 / Wakefield to Marenisco.
The guys will give me a report in the morning as to the trail conditions and will report back!
Ride safe, friends!
Kami
GRTA Secretary #westernupUpdate: 1.14.2026
We have both tractors going out right now.
Trail 8 / Wakefield to Tula turnaround.
Trail 2 / Wakefield to Marenisco.
The guys will give me a report in the morning as to the trail conditions and will report back!
Ride safe, friends!
Kami
GRTA Secretary
ONTONAGON AREA UPDATE via Hamilton's North Coast Adventures >> SO MANY GROOMERS GROOMING!
If you are not riding the western up of Michigan tomorrow, you may be doing it wrong! Green lines mean groomer runs as of TODAY. These clubs are killing it! Thank you groomers! #ontonagon #westernup #snowphotosSO MANY GROOMERS GROOMING!
If you are not riding the western up of Michigan tomorrow, you may be doing it wrong! Green lines mean groomer runs as of TODAY. These clubs are killing it! Thank you groomers!
BESSEMER - WESTERN U.P. UPDATE via Trails-North Powersports LLC >> 🥰 Old man Winter is back ❤️🌬️❄️ 1 to 3 inches turned into 4 to 6 🤟 more snow is predicted through the rest of the week and through the weekend, sooooo what are you waiting for 😊 get up here and ride 🤟🌬️❄️❄️❄️ #westernup #snowphotos
LAKE GOGEBIC AREA UPDATE via Bergland Outfitters Bait Shop & Motel >> We got about 5-6 inches over night. My guests say the trails are awesome thank you to our groomers.
Perch fishing remains dam good .
Lake travel is not bad at all we still recommend snowmobile travel only as we do have layers of slush of 5-6 inches of slush .
2026 HOG A THON March 14th sign up here at the shop
Have a great day #lakegogebic #westernup #snowphotosWe got about 5-6 inches over night. My guests say the trails are awesome thank you to our groomers.
Perch fishing remains dam good .
Lake travel is not bad at all we still recommend snowmobile travel only as we do have layers of slush of 5-6 inches of slush .
2026 HOG A THON March 14th sign up here at the shop
Have a great day
LAKE GOGEBIC AREA UPDATE via Gogebic Area Grooming >> Bergland Area Groomer's report for Tuesday evening 1-13-26..
A little sketchy out there!! When we left the shop around 8pm it was 35° with temp's quickly dropping below freezing. Then the snow and wind picked up which made for a long night. We covered 13n, 1n, 102 and 8w along with our access trail's. There's going to be a lot of drifting out there so use caution when riding. Enjoy!! Gogebic Area Grooming ❄️❄️❄️ #lakegogebic #westernup #snowphotos
SIDNAW - WESTERN U.P. UPDATE via Sno Valley Riders Snowmobile Club >> Groomer Report:
Trail Condition: Good
Last Groomed: January 12th, 2026
It was too warm and the snow was way too sticky to groom on Tuesday.
We will be out tonight to get things fixed up.
Please ride on the RIGHT side of the trail and STOP at the stop signs!
Stay on the trail, if you don’t we could lose trail permissions on private property.
Groomers have the right of way on the trails, pull over and stop to let them safely pass!
We now have Groomer Tracker installed in our groomers.
We groom every day that the weather conditions and equipment allow. Unforeseen circumstances may prevent us from going out, like a major blizzard and being snowed in at our homes or equipment breakdowns. #westernup
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
WATERSMEET - WESTERN U.P. UPDATE via U.P. Thunder Riders Snowmobile Club >> UPDATED 1/14/26- Thank you to all the Watersmeet Groomers! You are doing a fantastic job! We took a ride yesterday and our trails were beautiful. Our Groomer is out this morning for a short run before the warm up. He will cover the highly traveled areas of our trail system. Tomorrow afternoon both groomers will be out to do our complete trail system. BE SAFE AND RIDE RIGHT! #westernup #snowphotos
WEATHER UPDATE via Michigan Storm Chasers >> Two forecasts for today, January 13th, 2026, and Wednesday, January 14th, 2026, regarding system snow, then lake effect snow.
Graphic #1
A clipper moves through today, bringing rain/freezing drizzle to portions of northern Michigan and the UP, especially north of M-55, with some light rain as far south as I-94. This will change over to a rain/snow mix later this afternoon and evening. Brief accumulation amounts will generally be in the T-1" range, although a couple spots could exceed 1", which are areas highlighted by the 1-3" zone. Air temperatures today will generally be at or above freezing in the UP, but evaporative cooling will still keep the ground cooler than the air.
Graphic #2
Lake effect snow ramps up beyond midnight tonight, heading into tomorrow, the 14th. Early indications are that the central UP will see the most with flow directly out of the north. Areas of 2-5" and 4-8" have been displayed as a result for much of the Lake Superior shoreline region to account for this flow. The LP is still a little on the uncertain side for overachievers tomorrow. We are watching the usual Gaylord region, but also immediate shoreline areas of Lake Michigan from Traverse City down to New Buffalo, and the thumb, as continued flow out of the north seems like on Thursday. For now, totals will remain as shown, and our last call for tomorrow will be out early in the morning. Inland areas in the T-1" zone may also see slight improvements if balloon launch data today continues to trend in the right direction.
Timing for both days is for the entirety of both days, as precipitation will be on-and-off throughout the next 48 hours. Travel concerns will generally be on the mild side of things, but don't let that fool you. Drive with care no matter what's falling out there. Follow us here at Michigan Storm Chasers for updates throughout the next couple days as the snow falls. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #munising #newberry #soo #gaylord
ONTONAGON AREA UPDATE via Hamilton's North Coast Adventures >> We took a casual 70mi groomer ride last night! We knew conditions might have been tough, but we are "reasons why to" people instead of "reasons why not"! We ended up running the loop and laying down some mighty good looking ribbons! We groomed from 5pm until 3am (then an hour long drive home to bed!). Trails were found to be in good shape, but we are seeing a few wet areas showing their ugly faces again. Not bad at all, but the snow bridges softened some, so we filled em back in! We groomed out of Ontonagon South down the 12 RR grade, continuing to Rockland on 137. I turned west on 13 and did a double groom of the infamous rock hill, which was again in amazing shape! I then groomed 13 to 101, 101 to 12, 12 to trail 1, trail 1 to White Pine. I turned around and groomed trail 12 back to Ontonagon. Our rental house books up fast, starting this weekend it is booked up until March. Thank you to our customers who support us! Woofta, long night and a long today with an inability to sleep in! Image from Yesterday. 4-12" forecast thru the weekend, awesome!! #ontonagon #westernup #snowphotosWe took a casual 70mi groomer ride last night! We knew conditions might have been tough, but we are "reasons why to" people instead of "reasons why not"! We ended up running the loop and laying down some mighty good looking ribbons! We groomed from 5pm until 3am (then an hour long drive home to bed!). Trails were found to be in good shape, but we are seeing a few wet areas showing their ugly faces again. Not bad at all, but the snow bridges softened some, so we filled em back in! We groomed out of Ontonagon South down the 12 RR grade, continuing to Rockland on 137. I turned west on 13 and did a double groom of the infamous rock hill, which was again in amazing shape! I then groomed 13 to 101, 101 to 12, 12 to trail 1, trail 1 to White Pine. I turned around and groomed trail 12 back to Ontonagon. Our rental house books up fast, starting this weekend it is booked up until March. Thank you to our customers who support us! Woofta, long night and a long today with an inability to sleep in! Image from Yesterday. 4-12" forecast thru the weekend, awesome!!
ONTONAGON AREA UPDATE via North Country Snowmobile Club UP >> Trail Report 1/13:
Steve from Team Hamilton's North Coast Adventures did the work last night!
He hit Trails 137, 13, 101, and 12 from White Pine to Ontonagon! Reporting all are in good to very good condition, with water holes starting to reopen on Trail #12 along LP Walsh Road due to our warm up.
Tractor Mac went int the Porkies and groomed Trails 1 and 11 from White Pine to Lake of the Clouds and South Boundary Road. Very good condition except from Silver City to The Porkies Ski Hill along the big lake where the thin snow is moving to bare spots.
Fingers crossed for colder temperatures and more snow!!
Come ride the 906! #ontonagon #westernup #snowphotosTrail Report 1/13:
Steve from Team Hamilton's North Coast Adventures did the work last night!
He hit Trails 137, 13, 101, and 12 from White Pine to Ontonagon! Reporting all are in good to very good condition, with water holes starting to reopen on Trail #12 along LP Walsh Road due to our warm up.
Tractor Mac went int the Porkies and groomed Trails 1 and 11 from White Pine to Lake of the Clouds and South Boundary Road. Very good condition except from Silver City to The Porkies Ski Hill along the big lake where the thin snow is moving to bare spots.
Fingers crossed for colder temperatures and more snow!!
Come ride the 906!
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