Traverse City Trail Report – 12/09
TRAVERSE CITY AREA UPDATE via Grand Traverse Area Snowmobile Club – 12/09 The warm front is here, as I write this, the temp is 41 degrees. Cold weather is forecasted to set back in Tuesday. We are asking that all ORV’S to please refrain front using the snowmobile trails so that when the temperature drops we have something to work with. Start doing those dances, we need cold weather and snow. We will update you as the weather/conditions change. <> <> Grand Traverse Area Snowmobile Club on Facebook >>>> <> Area Reports: Grand Traverse Area Snowmobile Club on Facebook >>>> <> WEATHER UPDATE via Michigan Storm Chasers >> Lake effect totals through Friday afternoon, December 19th, 2025 have been updated slightly to account for latest shifts in atmospheric conditions. WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Gaylord Michigan >> After a mild and occasionally rainy day today, much colder temperatures arrive this evening through Friday. Temperatures are expected to fall a good 10-20 degrees this evening through tonight. leading to a potential flash freeze of wet roads. Renewed snow chances will accompany this colder air with several inches of accumulation, especially in the snow belts of northern lower & eastern upper. In addition, strong winds upwards of 35-45 mph late tonight into Friday will lead to blowing snow. All said, travel will become hazardous later this evening through Friday across much of northern Michigan. #miweather #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskey WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Gaylord Michigan >> Chances tonight for light drizzle/ freezing drizzle with temperatures warming into Thursday. Rain is likely Thursday before sharply colder air moves in Thursday night into Friday, leading to a quick refreeze and snow. #miweather #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskeyChances tonight for light drizzle/ freezing drizzle with temperatures warming into Thursday. Rain is likely Thursday before sharply colder air moves in Thursday night into Friday, leading to a quick refreeze and snow. WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Gaylord Michigan >> We trend milder into midweek with drizzly / damp periods. Rain is likely Thursday before sharply colder air builds Thursday night into Friday, bringing potential for more lake effect snow and a quick refreeze. #miweather #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskeyWe trend milder into midweek with drizzly / damp periods. Rain is likely Thursday before sharply colder air builds Thursday night into Friday, bringing potential for more lake effect snow and a quick refreeze. TRAVERSE CITY AREA UPDATE via Grand Traverse Area Snowmobile Club >> Groomer Jeff was out on the east trail panning the fresh snow down yesterday. He rates the east trail as good with a 2-3 base. We will be sending out the groomers today on the west and south routes before the forecasted warm up. Please note, were are unable to pan/groom the powerlines because the ground is not frozen as of yet. Remember, Ride Right, Ride Safe, Ride Sober... #traversecity #snowphotos TRAVERSE CITY AREA UPDATE via Grand Traverse Area Snowmobile Club >> The winter weather advisory has come and gone. The trails took a hit this weekend with all the traffic. Luckily, we had a narrow lake effect band set up shop on Sunday and dropped a foot of fluff in some areas on the trail. Elsewhere, we received 2-6 inches. A few club members went out to check the trails on their sleds, and rated the trails as good, with some snirt in areas. <> Latest Trail Reports – Quick Links <>Postings From Regional Pages On Facebook
Discussion
As temperatures fall early Friday, moisture pools back in, mixed with colder air over the warmer lakes, turning on the lake effect machine for both of the Great Lakes that influence our normal lake effect zones. A respectable 1-3" to 2-5" is possible in the fairly typical areas shown on the map. The narrow lane of higher elevation across the Keweenaw Peninsula and Porcupine Mountains are most-likely to experience totals exceeding 6". You may have noticed our one main change was the expansion of T-1" over to the east side of the state just as a general precaution to any snow squalls that make it across the state. Not everyone will get a rogue snow squall, but it is in the odds for nearly everyone. A snow squall is a thin, but intense band of quick snow that can produce at least half an inch of snow in minutes time, while knocking visibility down from 10 miles, to a quarter mile in moments time. Additionally, a quick coating of snow may hide any ice that was able to form from the freeze later tonight. Lake effect snow and snow squalls are poised to start later this evening around 8 pm EST (earlier for the western UP), and run primarily through 1 pm EST Friday. A couple lake effect bands may last through 6 pm across northern Michigan near Gaylord, and the central UP near Munising.
Each area is never guaranteed the totals shown on the screen. This is why we call it a prediction. The totals that are shown however do have the greatest odds of occurring. Yes, we are still trying to find that crystal ball, but no luck to this point. Follow us here at Michigan Storm Chasers for forecast updates, and a little humor on the side, throughout the next few days, and as always, 365 days a year! #miweather #keweenaw #westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsarea #gaylord #cadillac #benzie #traversecity #petoskeyLake effect totals through Friday afternoon, December 19th, 2025 have been updated slightly to account for latest shifts in atmospheric conditions.
Discussion
As temperatures fall early Friday, moisture pools back in, mixed with colder air over the warmer lakes, turning on the lake effect machine for both of the Great Lakes that influence our normal lake effect zones. A respectable 1-3" to 2-5" is possible in the fairly typical areas shown on the map. The narrow lane of higher elevation across the Keweenaw Peninsula and Porcupine Mountains are most-likely to experience totals exceeding 6". You may have noticed our one main change was the expansion of T-1" over to the east side of the state just as a general precaution to any snow squalls that make it across the state. Not everyone will get a rogue snow squall, but it is in the odds for nearly everyone. A snow squall is a thin, but intense band of quick snow that can produce at least half an inch of snow in minutes time, while knocking visibility down from 10 miles, to a quarter mile in moments time. Additionally, a quick coating of snow may hide any ice that was able to form from the freeze later tonight. Lake effect snow and snow squalls are poised to start later this evening around 8 pm EST (earlier for the western UP), and run primarily through 1 pm EST Friday. A couple lake effect bands may last through 6 pm across northern Michigan near Gaylord, and the central UP near Munising.
Each area is never guaranteed the totals shown on the screen. This is why we call it a prediction. The totals that are shown however do have the greatest odds of occurring. Yes, we are still trying to find that crystal ball, but no luck to this point. Follow us here at Michigan Storm Chasers for forecast updates, and a little humor on the side, throughout the next few days, and as always, 365 days a year!
-- Trusted Partner of the Day --
Apex Restoration & Mitigation | Call 810-202-3586 today for all restoration needs across Genesee county and the thumb! 
We will be panning this new snow before the warm up this week. Hopefully, this warn up doesn't hurt the base too much.
When your out on the trails and your looking for a place to eat. Check out our business sponsor Fife Lake Inn. Located on beautiful Fife Lake, their your family-friendly go-to spot for casual American dining, cold beverages and good times. Show them your tether and tell them GTASC sent you and receive 10% off your order. #traversecity #snowphotos