Michigan Snowmobile Trail Report

Friday December 26th, 2025 - 9:28 pm

WEATHER UPDATE via Michigan Storm Chasers >> Alright Michigan.. Let's dive right back into it. We have yet another system coming our way for Sunday into Monday which will bring SEVERAL different impacts to portions of the state... #miweather #keweenaw #westernupAlright Michigan.. Let's dive right back into it. We have yet another system coming our way for Sunday into Monday which will bring SEVERAL different impacts to portions of the state.

Let's start with JUST SUNDAY. This system begins as rain Sunday morning for lower Michigan, with a bit of mixed precipitation possible further north.. think near Mackinac areas.

Sunday afternoon, we will see an uptick in rainfall intensity and even see some thunderstorms across central and southern lower Michigan, with a severe weather risk sitting just off to our south during the afternoon. During this Sunday afternoon period, snow will also begin to ramp up in the Upper Peninsula while northern lower Michigan and the eastern UP will continue to see a mixed precipitation.

Sunday night is when things start to get wild. Temperatures across lower Michigan will drop from 40s and 50s down to the 20s in a matter of 2-4 hours. Keep in mind, it will be raining prior to this temperature drop, so a situation may unfold where wet surfaces will freeze over and become icy. This could be another scenario of what we call a flash freeze.

This concludes SUNDAY'S "part 1" forecast.

This system WILL CONTINUE into MONDAY as a lake effect snow AND wind event.

After midnight and into Monday morning, lake effect snow will ramp up across much of the state, with wind gusts also increasing to 40-50+mph across ALL of Michigan. Major snow accumulations are possible for lake effect belts of western and northern lower Michigan, and much of the UP during Monday. Given strong winds, lake effect bands and snow squalls will likely drift into eastern Michigan which may lightly accumulate in localized areas. A winter storm watch is already in effect for nearly ALL of the UP in anticipation of this system.

In summary, this is a two part system spanning 48+ hours with A LOT going on. We will host a live briefing tonight at 7pm to talk it through.

Expect a full forecast package to be released throughout tomorrow which will likely include first call graphics for:

-Snowfall totals
-Rainfall amounts
-Thunderstorm/Severe weather outlook
-Wind map
-Icing amounts

And infographics on:

-Potential flash freeze
-Snow squalls
-Power outage possibilities
-Timing map
-Traffic map

Stay tuned!

-- Trusted Partner of the Day --
McKay Tree Services | Got downed trees across SE Michigan? Call McKay today at 248-308-7308 ... See MoreSee Less

Michigan Snowmobile Trail Report

Friday December 26th, 2025 - 10:40 am

WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> A mix of snow, sleet, and freezing rain will cause slippery conditions across Upper Michigan this morning, ending from west to east through the afternoon. Isolated power outages will be possible in parts of western Upper Michigan. Attention then turns to additional rounds of winter precipitation both Saturday night/Sunday and Sunday night/Monday. Models continue to trend toward accumulating snow from Sunday night into Monday. #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaA mix of snow, sleet, and freezing rain will cause slippery conditions across Upper Michigan this morning, ending from west to east through the afternoon. Isolated power outages will be possible in parts of western Upper Michigan. Attention then turns to additional rounds of winter precipitation both Saturday night/Sunday and Sunday night/Monday. Models continue to trend toward accumulating snow from Sunday night into Monday. ... See MoreSee Less

Michigan Snowmobile Trail Report

Thursday December 25th, 2025 - 12:03 pm

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! ... See MoreSee Less

Michigan Snowmobile Trail Report

Wednesday December 24th, 2025 - 3:38 pm

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. ... See MoreSee Less