Michigan Snowmobile Trail Report

Friday January 16th, 2026 - 5:01 pm

SAULT STE. MARIE AREA UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association >> 1/16/26
Good morning all! Light snow flurries have begun, and the frigid temps continue.
We do have one machine down that does the kinross area, and I’ll keep you posted on that.
Zeke ran trail 8 from Raco to Brimley last night, and 480 from the Spile Dam to 8.
Things are pretty flat everywhere, with some wet spots still giving us trouble in the swamps. Keep an eye out, especially on 49.
Ride safe! ❄️❄️❄️ #soo #soo0116 #snowphotos1/16/26

Good morning all! Light snow flurries have begun, and the frigid temps continue.

We do have one machine down that does the kinross area, and I’ll keep you posted on that.

Zeke ran trail 8 from Raco to Brimley last night, and 480 from the Spile Dam to 8.

Things are pretty flat everywhere, with some wet spots still giving us trouble in the swamps. Keep an eye out, especially on 49.

Ride safe! ❄️❄️❄️ ... See MoreSee Less

Michigan Snowmobile Trail Report

Friday January 16th, 2026 - 3:24 am

WEATHER UPDATE via Michigan Storm Chasers >> This is our last call snowfall outlook for FRIDAY ONLY, January 16th, 2026. Snow has begun across parts of the UP, and will begin for the rest of the state over the course of the next 12 hours.... #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsarea #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskeyThis is our last call snowfall outlook for FRIDAY ONLY, January 16th, 2026. Snow has begun across parts of the UP, and will begin for the rest of the state over the course of the next 12 hours.

A clipper will bring a mixture of synoptic snow and lake effect snow for the entirety of Michigan. This is the first of multiple clippers between now and Monday. Lake effect areas may see totals into the 4-8" zone, with localized heavier totals possible along the Porcupine Mountains in the western UP. We DO have ample moisture on our atmospheric profiles for tomorrow, but the forcing is still suspect, so a solid blanket of 1-4" of snow, with isolated higher totals close to half a foot should occur by the end of our day Friday. The greatest chance at an area underachieving is in... guess what... southeast Michigan. Monroe and Lenawee counties specifically were in the T-1" zone at first call, but with a more-moist profile expected tomorrow, all locations (in an ideal world) should at least hit 1". We are also watching for the development of freezing drizzle mixing in, primarily in the Lower Peninsula as low-level temperatures favor this phenomena. Now, drizzle would hinder totals, but significantly increase travel issues as roads get coated with both the drizzle and the wet snow. We will have a freezing drizzle accumulation map out tomorrow morning.

Winds gusting 25-35 mph at times, primarily out of the west. Some snow squalls will mix in, which for those who don't remember, snow squalls exist to only cause headaches. These narrow bands of snow drop visibility from open skies to mere feet in the matter of seconds, which is never good, especially on fast-moving roadways. A snow squall can put down as much as a quick inch in 15-30 minutes at their peak intensity. Both morning and evening commutes will be impacted by snow or drizzle. Let's hope we don't light up the MDOT drive map with 25 accidents this time around, so please take your time. Give yourself that extra hour to travel, especially in instances of forced slow downs.

-- Trusted Partner of the Day --
Rainbow Restoration | 616-583-1234, call today for all your restoration needs in the Grand Rapids regional area! ... See MoreSee Less

Michigan Snowmobile Trail Report

Sunday January 18th, 2026 - 1:03 pm

WATERSMEET - WESTERN U.P. UPDATE via U.P. Thunder Riders Snowmobile Club >> UPDATED 1/18/26-Groomers Jeff and Jammer went out last night. Looking Good! BE SAFE AND RIDE RIGHT! JOIN CLUB HERE
upthunderriders.org/ #watersmeet #westernup #snowphotosUPDATED 1/18/26-Groomers Jeff and Jammer went out last night. Looking Good! BE SAFE AND RIDE RIGHT! JOIN CLUB HERE
upthunderriders.org/ ... See MoreSee Less

Michigan Snowmobile Trail Report

Saturday January 17th, 2026 - 10:38 am

LAKE GOGEBIC AREA UPDATE via Gogebic Area Grooming >> Bergland Area Groomer's report for 1-16-26.
Light snow in the area all day with heavy snow closer to the Porkies. Temp's were pretty consistent around 24° and we're still under a winter storm warning..
The last water hole on 8w to Wakefield was filled in again and 🤞it should remain intact for the season. 8w was groomed through to our turn around. 13n, 1n and 102 also covered. Gogebic Area Grooming ❄️❄️❄️ #lakegogebic #westernup #snowphotosBergland Area Groomer's report for 1-16-26.
Light snow in the area all day with heavy snow closer to the Porkies. Temp's were pretty consistent around 24° and we're still under a winter storm warning..
The last water hole on 8w to Wakefield was filled in again and 🤞it should remain intact for the season. 8w was groomed through to our turn around. 13n, 1n and 102 also covered. Gogebic Area Grooming ❄️❄️❄️

Please consider becoming a member or sponsor every bit helps!

www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/gogebic-area-grooming-memberships ... See MoreSee Less

Michigan Snowmobile Trail Report

Friday January 16th, 2026 - 11:32 am

ONTONAGON AREA UPDATE via Scott's Superior Inn and Cabins >> The big story this week is an Arctic vortex moving in, bringing colder temps and an impressive 2 feet of fresh snow by mid-week. The heaviest amounts coming Friday night where 8 to 15 inches are expected to drop overnight.
With trails already in good shape, this incoming snow is going to take conditions from good to “gooder” 😉
If you’ve been waiting to plan a trip, now’s the time—the Western UP is about to be absolutely dialed in for riding.
🏨 Riding the Western UP? Stay right on trail 12 at Scott’s Superior Inn & Cabins on Lake Superior. Easy access, cozy cabins, and the perfect home base for epic days on the sled. Book your stay and make a weekend of it! #ontonagon #westernupThe big story this week is an Arctic vortex moving in, bringing colder temps and an impressive 2 feet of fresh snow by mid-week. The heaviest amounts coming Friday night where 8 to 15 inches are expected to drop overnight.

With trails already in good shape, this incoming snow is going to take conditions from good to “gooder” 😉

If you’ve been waiting to plan a trip, now’s the time—the Western UP is about to be absolutely dialed in for riding.

🏨 Riding the Western UP? Stay right on trail 12 at Scott’s Superior Inn & Cabins on Lake Superior. Easy access, cozy cabins, and the perfect home base for epic days on the sled. Book your stay and make a weekend of it! ... See MoreSee Less

Michigan Snowmobile Trail Report

Friday January 16th, 2026 - 3:24 am

WEATHER UPDATE via Michigan Storm Chasers >> This is our last call snowfall outlook for FRIDAY ONLY, January 16th, 2026. Snow has begun across parts of the UP, and will begin for the rest of the state over the course of the next 12 hours.... #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsarea #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskeyThis is our last call snowfall outlook for FRIDAY ONLY, January 16th, 2026. Snow has begun across parts of the UP, and will begin for the rest of the state over the course of the next 12 hours.

A clipper will bring a mixture of synoptic snow and lake effect snow for the entirety of Michigan. This is the first of multiple clippers between now and Monday. Lake effect areas may see totals into the 4-8" zone, with localized heavier totals possible along the Porcupine Mountains in the western UP. We DO have ample moisture on our atmospheric profiles for tomorrow, but the forcing is still suspect, so a solid blanket of 1-4" of snow, with isolated higher totals close to half a foot should occur by the end of our day Friday. The greatest chance at an area underachieving is in... guess what... southeast Michigan. Monroe and Lenawee counties specifically were in the T-1" zone at first call, but with a more-moist profile expected tomorrow, all locations (in an ideal world) should at least hit 1". We are also watching for the development of freezing drizzle mixing in, primarily in the Lower Peninsula as low-level temperatures favor this phenomena. Now, drizzle would hinder totals, but significantly increase travel issues as roads get coated with both the drizzle and the wet snow. We will have a freezing drizzle accumulation map out tomorrow morning.

Winds gusting 25-35 mph at times, primarily out of the west. Some snow squalls will mix in, which for those who don't remember, snow squalls exist to only cause headaches. These narrow bands of snow drop visibility from open skies to mere feet in the matter of seconds, which is never good, especially on fast-moving roadways. A snow squall can put down as much as a quick inch in 15-30 minutes at their peak intensity. Both morning and evening commutes will be impacted by snow or drizzle. Let's hope we don't light up the MDOT drive map with 25 accidents this time around, so please take your time. Give yourself that extra hour to travel, especially in instances of forced slow downs.

-- Trusted Partner of the Day --
Rainbow Restoration | 616-583-1234, call today for all your restoration needs in the Grand Rapids regional area! ... See MoreSee Less