Petoskey, MI – Roads across northern Michigan could quickly turn slick Tuesday afternoon as a widespread mix of snow, sleet, and freezing rain spreads across both the eastern Upper Peninsula and northern Lower Michigan, disrupting travel through Wednesday evening.
According to the National Weather Service in Gaylord, Winter Weather Advisories begin as early as 2 p.m. Tuesday and continue until 8 p.m. Wednesday across much of northern Michigan. Areas in the eastern Upper Peninsula, including Chippewa and Mackinac counties, could see 3 to 6 inches of snow, with locally higher totals possible near northern Chippewa County.
Farther south across Emmet, Cheboygan, Presque Isle, Charlevoix, and island communities such as Mackinac Island and Beaver Island, a mix of precipitation is expected. These areas may receive 1 to 3 inches of snow and sleet along with light ice accumulation under 0.10 inches, creating slippery conditions for the Tuesday evening commute.
Northern Lower Michigan communities including Traverse City, Alpena, Gaylord, Kalkaska, Manistee, and Cadillac will likely see a mix of precipitation beginning Tuesday night. Some locations from Alpena to Oscoda could see around 0.10 inches of ice with localized amounts near 0.25 inches, raising the possibility of isolated power outages and tree damage.
Drivers are urged to slow down, increase following distance, and allow extra travel time, especially on major routes such as I-75, US-31, US-131, and M-32, where bridges and overpasses may freeze first.
The wintry mix may linger through Wednesday evening before conditions gradually improve. Additional updates or advisories may be issued if ice accumulation increases across northern Michigan.
