Keweenaw Peninsula Trail Report – 03/12
KEWEENAW PENINSULA UPDATE via Western UP Trail Reports – 03/12
It’s a beautiful morning on Michigan’s Keweenaw Peninsula!
There are currently two Groomer Operators out on the trails north of Mohawk and it’s 17 degrees 👏!
Photos are of yesterday’s ride after Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday’s warm temps and a lot of rain on Wednesday. As you can see from the photos, trails were still in decent condition and all riders we talked to yesterday were also very happy with conditions. The views were amazing as always!
As I stated last night, by late afternoon/early evening 3 had become pretty whooped up.
Groomers ARE currently out! Checkout the Groomer Tracker app to see the status of trails if you are riding the area.
I would still currently recommend staging somewhere north or south of the bridge as getting through Houghton/Hancock is not advised.
Staging options:
The Trailside Lodge
on trail 17 – call to verify availability
Vansville Bar
on trail 3 where it intersects with trail 124
Krupps Resort
on trail 3 in Twin Lakes …
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Postings From Regional Pages On Facebook
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> A mix of snow, sleet, and freezing rain may result in slippery roadways and isolated power outages tonight into Friday morning. Those with travel plans should leave extra time for travel! #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsarea
KEWEENAW PENINSULA UPDATE via Fletchy’s Otter Belly Lodge >> Took a ride with my pops today to the snow gauge! The trails are fantastic! We made second tracks after the groomer! Get up here and play in the snow!! #keweenaw #snowphotos
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Expect a wintery mix to develop across the U.P. tonight and continue into Friday morning, ending west to east through the day. Mainly snow is expected for the far north and east with mainly freezing rain near the MI/WI stateline. Those with travel plans should leave extra time for travel as roads could be slippery. A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect tonight into Friday for the entire U.P.
For more information, visit the full briefing packet here :https://www.weather.gov/media/mqt/DssPacket.pdf #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsarea
Can we expect any significant lake effect between now and New Year's?
KEWEENAW PENINSULA UPDATE via Keweenaw Snowmobile Club >> Merry Christmas from Keweenaw Snowmobile Club! Have a Happy Holiday! Ride Right, Ride Sober and Ride to the ability of your group! We hope to see you soon, maybe your presents included a trip to the Copper Country? #keweenaw #snowphotos
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!
-- Trusted Partner of the Day --
Kuiper Tree Care | Call 616-828-8225 for your top option regarding all your west Michigan tree care needs!
The key does not match the colors on the map
what is orange?
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Overall travel conditions should be smooth through Christmas Day. A system tracking through the region brings a round of snow and possibly freezing rain Christmas night into Friday. Highest snowfall amounts are expected in the northern half of the U.P. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaOverall travel conditions should be smooth through Christmas Day. A system tracking through the region brings a round of snow and possibly freezing rain Christmas night into Friday. Highest snowfall amounts are expected in the northern half of the U.P.
WEATHER UPDATE via Meteorologist Brad Sugden >> There will be some snow with Friday's system to the north! Nothing too crazy, but a few inches none-the-less. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaThere will be some snow with Friday's system to the north! Nothing too crazy, but a few inches none-the-less.
Generator Magic Inc
Michigan Based, Nationwide Shipping
It's beautiful here today and warm with a slight chill
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> If you have post-travel plans to or from lower MI Thursday night into Friday, be aware of the potential for light snow and freezing rain to impact travel, especially over parts of the Lower Peninsula. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaIf you have post-travel plans to or from lower MI Thursday night into Friday, be aware of the potential for light snow and freezing rain to impact travel, especially over parts of the Lower Peninsula. #906wx #miwx
WEATHER UPDATE via Midwest Weather >> I'm going up north to the U.P of Michigan on Friday to chase a potentially significant lake effect snow event from late Saturday night through Tuesday. Snowfall accumulations could be 1-2', if not higher, as high-res model guidance comes in when we get closer.
Another lake-effect snow event is increasingly likely behind an arctic front next Wednesday night through Friday, which we will need to keep an eye on. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsarea #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskeyI'm going up north to the U.P of Michigan on Friday to chase a potentially significant lake effect snow event from late Saturday night through Tuesday. Snowfall accumulations could be 1-2', if not higher, as high-res model guidance comes in when we get closer.
Another lake-effect snow event is increasingly likely behind an arctic front next Wednesday night through Friday, which we will need to keep an eye on.
We will be in GM for the week!
Bring it!
Your wasting your time ... gonna be a small.snow event
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> A cold front will push through this afternoon and evening bringing gusty northwest wind of 25-35 mph near Lake Superior and over the Keweenaw. Otherwise low chances for snow and or sleet are forecast for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day (10-30% chance). #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaA cold front will push through this afternoon and evening bringing gusty northwest wind of 25-35 mph near Lake Superior and over the Keweenaw. Otherwise low chances for snow and or sleet are forecast for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day (10-30% chance).
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WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> A mix of snow, sleet, and freezing rain may result in slippery roadways and isolated power outages tonight into Friday morning. Those with travel plans should leave extra time for travel! #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsarea
KEWEENAW PENINSULA UPDATE via Fletchy’s Otter Belly Lodge >> Took a ride with my pops today to the snow gauge! The trails are fantastic! We made second tracks after the groomer! Get up here and play in the snow!! #keweenaw #snowphotos
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Expect a wintery mix to develop across the U.P. tonight and continue into Friday morning, ending west to east through the day. Mainly snow is expected for the far north and east with mainly freezing rain near the MI/WI stateline. Those with travel plans should leave extra time for travel as roads could be slippery. A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect tonight into Friday for the entire U.P.
For more information, visit the full briefing packet here :https://www.weather.gov/media/mqt/DssPacket.pdf #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsarea
Can we expect any significant lake effect between now and New Year's?
KEWEENAW PENINSULA UPDATE via Keweenaw Snowmobile Club >> Merry Christmas from Keweenaw Snowmobile Club! Have a Happy Holiday! Ride Right, Ride Sober and Ride to the ability of your group! We hope to see you soon, maybe your presents included a trip to the Copper Country? #keweenaw #snowphotos
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!
-- Trusted Partner of the Day --
Kuiper Tree Care | Call 616-828-8225 for your top option regarding all your west Michigan tree care needs!
The key does not match the colors on the map
what is orange?
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Overall travel conditions should be smooth through Christmas Day. A system tracking through the region brings a round of snow and possibly freezing rain Christmas night into Friday. Highest snowfall amounts are expected in the northern half of the U.P. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaOverall travel conditions should be smooth through Christmas Day. A system tracking through the region brings a round of snow and possibly freezing rain Christmas night into Friday. Highest snowfall amounts are expected in the northern half of the U.P.
WEATHER UPDATE via Meteorologist Brad Sugden >> There will be some snow with Friday's system to the north! Nothing too crazy, but a few inches none-the-less. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaThere will be some snow with Friday's system to the north! Nothing too crazy, but a few inches none-the-less.
Generator Magic Inc
Michigan Based, Nationwide Shipping
It's beautiful here today and warm with a slight chill
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> If you have post-travel plans to or from lower MI Thursday night into Friday, be aware of the potential for light snow and freezing rain to impact travel, especially over parts of the Lower Peninsula. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaIf you have post-travel plans to or from lower MI Thursday night into Friday, be aware of the potential for light snow and freezing rain to impact travel, especially over parts of the Lower Peninsula. #906wx #miwx
WEATHER UPDATE via Midwest Weather >> I'm going up north to the U.P of Michigan on Friday to chase a potentially significant lake effect snow event from late Saturday night through Tuesday. Snowfall accumulations could be 1-2', if not higher, as high-res model guidance comes in when we get closer.
Another lake-effect snow event is increasingly likely behind an arctic front next Wednesday night through Friday, which we will need to keep an eye on. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsarea #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskeyI'm going up north to the U.P of Michigan on Friday to chase a potentially significant lake effect snow event from late Saturday night through Tuesday. Snowfall accumulations could be 1-2', if not higher, as high-res model guidance comes in when we get closer.
Another lake-effect snow event is increasingly likely behind an arctic front next Wednesday night through Friday, which we will need to keep an eye on.
We will be in GM for the week! Bring it!
Your wasting your time ... gonna be a small.snow event
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> A cold front will push through this afternoon and evening bringing gusty northwest wind of 25-35 mph near Lake Superior and over the Keweenaw. Otherwise low chances for snow and or sleet are forecast for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day (10-30% chance). #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaA cold front will push through this afternoon and evening bringing gusty northwest wind of 25-35 mph near Lake Superior and over the Keweenaw. Otherwise low chances for snow and or sleet are forecast for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day (10-30% chance).
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Latest Trail Reports – Quick Links
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