Gaylord, MI – Drivers across northern Lower Michigan will face slick, ice-coated roads by daybreak Wednesday as heavy wet snow and light icing spread across the region through the evening commute.
According to the National Weather Service in Gaylord, a Winter Storm Warning is in effect from 1 a.m. to 10 p.m. Wednesday for Emmet, Cheboygan, Presque Isle, Montmorency and Alpena counties. Snow totals between 4 and 8 inches are expected, with up to one tenth of an inch of ice accumulation. Winds could gust as high as 35 mph.
The highest snow totals are likely near the Lake Huron shoreline, including Alpena and Presque Isle County, where lake enhancement may boost amounts. Wet snow combined with light icing will create slippery stretches along U.S. 23, I-75 near Cheboygan, and M-32 and M-33 across interior counties.
Both the Wednesday morning and evening commutes could see reduced visibility and hazardous travel. Bridges and overpasses will freeze first, increasing the risk of spinouts.
Officials urge residents to delay travel if possible. If you must drive, allow extra time, increase following distance and avoid sudden braking. Keep an emergency kit with food, water and a flashlight inside your vehicle.
The warning remains in effect until 10 p.m. Wednesday, and additional advisories may follow as the system moves out of the Great Lakes.
