Gaylord, MI – Gray skies and calm winds blanket northern Michigan this morning, with the temperature sitting at a crisp 32°F. The quiet start hides a brewing change — one that could bring slippery conditions just as Thanksgiving travel ramps up across the state.
According to the National Weather Service in Gaylord, light snow or rain could begin as early as Sunday evening, followed by steadier showers Monday into Tuesday. Temperatures will hover near 40°F through Monday, meaning much of the early precipitation falls as rain. However, by late Tuesday, colder air filters in behind a passing cold front, turning lingering showers into a mix of rain and snow.
Drivers planning early-week travel should prepare for slick roads along I-75 and US-131, especially in the higher elevations near Gaylord and Vanderbilt. Winds will increase Tuesday night, gusting to 25 mph and reducing visibility during heavier bursts of snow.
By Wednesday, snow showers are likely across northern Michigan, signaling the region’s first extended taste of winter. Thanksgiving Day looks quieter but brisk, with highs near 31°F and lingering flurries possible north of Mancelona. Nationally, forecasters are monitoring a larger winter system forming from the Rockies to the Great Lakes — one that could bring heavy snow and widespread travel disruptions from November 25 through early December.
Five-Day Outlook (Gaylord, MI)
- Sunday: Chance rain/snow, high 41°F
- Monday: Partly sunny, high 49°F
- Tuesday: Rain, high 47°F
- Wednesday: Snow showers likely, high 37°F
- Thanksgiving Day: Mostly cloudy, high 31°F
