Michigan begins the morning locked in a cold, gray grip as freezing fog blurs headlights and tree branches glisten with ice. In northern lower Michigan, Gaylord wakes to slick pavement and limited visibility as light freezing rain moves through early.
Temperatures sit near 28 degrees, keeping untreated roads icy. The National Weather Service reports light freezing rain mainly south of M-72, with spotty ice accumulations up to one-tenth of an inch. That may sound minor, but it creates hazardous travel fast. Bridges, overpasses, and shaded roads freeze first.
Drivers along M-32, M-72, and local county roads should slow down and leave extra space. School traffic adds to the risk this morning, and braking distances increase on glazed pavement. Some areas may also see freezing fog, dropping visibility below one mile at times.
Conditions slowly improve later today as precipitation changes to rain showers. Highs climb into the low 30s, but melting ice could refreeze after sunset. For now, caution remains key through the morning hours.
Wednesday brings a brief pause. Skies turn mostly cloudy, and temperatures hover near freezing. Roads improve during daylight, though leftover moisture lingers in shaded spots.
Attention then shifts to late week. Meteorologists are tracking another system arriving Thursday. Rain showers develop first, then colder air slips back in. By Friday and into the weekend, rain may mix with snow or change fully to snow. Light accumulations appear possible, especially Friday night into Saturday.
River ice also bears watching. Ice jams could cause localized flooding on area waterways through the week.
Winter is settling in during the first full week of 2026. Conditions may change quickly, especially after dark.
Five-Day Outlook for Gaylord, Michigan
- Today: Freezing rain early, then rain showers, high near 34°
- Wednesday: Mostly cloudy, high near 33°
- Thursday: Chance of showers, high near 40°
- Friday: Rain changing to rain/snow, high near 37°
- Saturday: Snow showers, colder, high near 31°
