Gaylord, MI – Drivers along I-75 and US-2 west of St. Ignace should prepare for rapidly deteriorating road conditions beginning around 1 p.m. Tuesday as a fast-moving clipper system spreads accumulating snow and gusty winds across northern Michigan.
According to the National Weather Service in Gaylord, the heaviest snowfall is expected between 7 p.m. Tuesday and 1 a.m. Wednesday, with widespread impacts continuing through 7 a.m. Wednesday. Much of northern Lower Michigan and eastern Upper Michigan has a high chance of seeing at least 2 inches of snow, while areas from Traverse City to Gaylord and north toward Sault Ste. Marie carry a strong probability of exceeding 6 inches.
Blowing snow will compound the problem, especially along open stretches of I-75, US-131 and M-28, where gusty winds may create brief whiteout conditions. The evening and early Wednesday morning commutes could be significantly affected as plows struggle to keep up with bursts of moderate snowfall.
Temperatures Tuesday range from the mid-teens to lower 30s, with wind chills dropping sharply Tuesday night as skies partially clear behind the system. Lake effect snow showers are expected to continue into Wednesday, especially in northwest flow belts near Petoskey and Gaylord.
Motorists should delay non-essential travel Tuesday night, pack winter emergency kits and monitor updated road conditions from MDOT. Snow tapers gradually Wednesday, but additional lake effect bands may prolong slick travel into midday.
