Lansing, MI – A sharp drop in temperatures tonight will help ignite a round of lake-effect snow across Michigan, setting up a windy and potentially hazardous travel day on Sunday. Forecasters say the strongest snow bands are expected to form late tonight and persist through Sunday night, especially in the traditional snowbelt regions downwind of Lake Michigan and Lake Superior.
According to the US National Weather Service Gaylord, lake-effect snow showers will rapidly intensify overnight as northwest winds increase. Gusts could reach 35 mph Sunday, creating areas of blowing and drifting snow. Meteorologists warn that the combination of strong winds and concentrated lake-effect bands could make travel difficult at times, particularly in rural or open areas.
Forecasters note that Sunday’s setup could push snow bands farther inland than usual due to the strength of the winds. If any lake-effect band becomes stationary, several inches of snow could accumulate in localized pockets. This creates the potential for sharp differences in snowfall totals between communities just a few miles apart.
Uncertainty remains high regarding exactly where the heaviest bands will settle. The National Weather Service says forecasters will monitor real-time radar trends Sunday morning to determine which counties may see the worst travel conditions. Still, drivers across northern and western Michigan—especially in counties such as Emmet, Charlevoix, Antrim, Otsego, and Cheboygan—should be prepared for reduced visibility and slick roads.
Lake-effect snow is expected to diminish late Sunday night into early Monday as winds ease and temperatures stabilize.
Residents across Michigan should monitor updates throughout the day Sunday, as conditions can change quickly in lake-effect events.
