Gaylord, Michigan – A quarter-inch of ice could coat roads and power lines across northern Lower Michigan by early Wednesday, raising the risk of outages and hazardous travel through Wednesday evening.
According to the National Weather Service in Gaylord, a Winter Storm Watch takes effect Tuesday evening and continues through Wednesday evening for Antrim, Otsego, Kalkaska, Crawford, Oscoda, Alcona, Roscommon, Ogemaw, Iosco and Charlevoix counties. Forecasters warn that freezing rain may produce around 0.25 inches of ice, with up to 2 inches of snow and sleet mixed in. Wind gusts could reach 35 mph, increasing the likelihood of downed branches and scattered power disruptions.
Ice-covered roads could impact stretches of I-75 near Gaylord, US-131 in Antrim County and US-23 along the Lake Huron shoreline. The Wednesday morning and evening commutes pose the greatest concern as untreated roads glaze over.
Residents should charge devices, secure outdoor items and prepare for possible outages. Avoid unnecessary travel and keep an emergency kit in your vehicle if you must drive. Additional warnings may be issued as ice totals become more certain and the system approaches Tuesday night.
