Michigan – A gray, wintry morning settles over northern Michigan as temperatures hover near freezing and low clouds drift across Otsego County. The air feels heavy, and untreated pavement stays cold enough to refreeze quickly after brief melting.
Today brings mostly cloudy skies around Gaylord, with highs near 36. A few pockets of drizzle or freezing drizzle may develop late morning before tapering. Winds increase this afternoon, with gusts near 30 mph adding a biting edge and reducing visibility at times on open stretches of M-32 and I-75.
Tonight turns colder. Lows drop near 18, locking in any leftover moisture. Roads that looked fine earlier could glaze over after dark, especially bridges and secondary routes. Use caution heading out this evening.
Wednesday remains mostly cloudy and cold, with highs near 31. According to the National Weather Service, conditions stay quiet during the day, but another system organizes nearby, setting up a more active stretch as Christmas approaches.
Christmas Day itself stays cloudy and chilly. Highs reach near 30, keeping snow on the ground and roads cold. Travel remains manageable during daylight hours, though packed snow may linger on less-traveled roads.
Weather impacts increase Thursday night. Snow showers become likely, with lows near 19. Accumulating snow could quickly coat roads, especially north of Gaylord and across higher terrain. By Friday, snow showers continue, then mix with freezing rain at times. Highs struggle to reach 29, raising concerns for slick, slushy conditions during post-Christmas travel.
Friday night remains cloudy and cold, with lows near 24. Even as snow tapers, refreezing becomes a concern. Saturday brings a brief break with highs near 36, though additional rain and snow chances return by evening.
Plan extra travel time late Thursday through Friday. Keep an emergency kit handy and slow down on icy stretches. Are you traveling through northern Michigan? Share what conditions look like where you are.
Five Day Outlook – Gaylord, Michigan
- Tuesday: Mostly cloudy. High near 36.
- Wednesday: Mostly cloudy. High near 31.
- Thursday (Christmas Day): Mostly cloudy. High near 30.
- Friday: Snow showers, possible wintry mix. High near 29.
- Saturday: Cloudy. High near 36.
