Gaylord, MI – Roads across northern Michigan could rapidly deteriorate late tonight as a powerful winter storm begins spreading heavy snow across the region, with 18 inches or more possible in parts of the Upper Peninsula and a growing ice threat across northern Lower Michigan by Sunday.
According to the National Weather Service in Gaylord, snow will expand across northern Michigan late tonight before intensifying overnight. The heaviest snowfall is expected across the eastern Upper Peninsula including Sault Ste. Marie, Trout Lake, and Whitefish Point, where the probability of 18 inches or more of snow is high by Monday night.
Across northern Lower Michigan including Gaylord, Petoskey, Grayling, and Alpena, precipitation is expected to transition to a wintry mix of snow, sleet, and freezing rain Sunday into Monday. Some areas could see at least 0.10 to 0.25 inches of ice accumulation, enough to coat roads, power lines, and tree branches.
Communities along Interstate 75 from Grayling to the Mackinac Bridge may experience dangerous travel conditions as snow changes to freezing rain and then back to snow late in the storm.
Forecasters warn that ice-coated power lines and heavy snow could lead to scattered outages across northern Lower Michigan while heavy snowfall continues across the eastern U.P.
Residents should prepare for hazardous travel, possible power disruptions, and rapidly changing precipitation types through Monday night. Additional winter storm warnings or ice advisories may be issued as the storm strengthens across the region.
