Traverse City Trail Report – 02/21
TRAVERSE CITY AREA UPDATE via Grand Traverse Area Snowmobile Club – 2/21
Trail Report: 02-21-2022
We just can’t catch a break! I thought the 5 or so inches of snow last week was going to get us back on track. Then, the balmy 45 degree temperatures on Sunday all but did the trails in. They have more ice and dirt on them now than snow. If that isn’t bad enough, they just issued an Ice Storm Warning for the area until Wednesday at midnight for a 1/4 to a 1/2 inch of ice. Again, we just can’t catch a break. I will update again when we get some measurable snow to report on.
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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.
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Gaylord Michigan >> Times of rain, snow and a rain/snow mix will be seen today for most of northern MI today. Up to 2 inches of wet, slushy snow is possible for parts of eastern upper by this evening. Some spots could see brief freezing rain, however temperatures will rise to above freezing today for most areas. Strong winds, cold temperatures and accumulating snow will be seen late tonight. #miweather #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskeyTimes of rain, snow and a rain/snow mix will be seen today for most of northern MI today. Up to 2 inches of wet, slushy snow is possible for parts of eastern upper by this evening. Some spots could see brief freezing rain, however temperatures will rise to above freezing today for most areas. Strong winds, cold temperatures and accumulating snow will be seen late tonight.
TRAVERSE CITY AREA UPDATE via Sled Solutions >> Took a break from the phones to go out for a little rip. Grand Traverse Area Snowmobile Club has our trails dialed......smoooooooooooth. #traversecity #snowphotos
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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.
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Gaylord Michigan >> Times of rain, snow and a rain/snow mix will be seen today for most of northern MI today. Up to 2 inches of wet, slushy snow is possible for parts of eastern upper by this evening. Some spots could see brief freezing rain, however temperatures will rise to above freezing today for most areas. Strong winds, cold temperatures and accumulating snow will be seen late tonight. #miweather #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskeyTimes of rain, snow and a rain/snow mix will be seen today for most of northern MI today. Up to 2 inches of wet, slushy snow is possible for parts of eastern upper by this evening. Some spots could see brief freezing rain, however temperatures will rise to above freezing today for most areas. Strong winds, cold temperatures and accumulating snow will be seen late tonight.
TRAVERSE CITY AREA UPDATE via Sled Solutions >> Took a break from the phones to go out for a little rip. Grand Traverse Area Snowmobile Club has our trails dialed......smoooooooooooth. #traversecity #snowphotos
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