GAYLORD, Mich. – A quiet, starry Halloween morning across northern Michigan masks a quick change in the air — one that could bring the first brush of early winter by Sunday. Crisp winds out of the north are carrying drier air now, but colder, moisture-laden clouds are lining up across Lake Superior, signaling the season’s first legitimate snow chances for Otsego County and surrounding areas.
According to the National Weather Service in Gaylord, today stays mostly cloudy and cool, with highs around 45°F and light north winds. Late tonight, a weak disturbance sliding down from the Upper Peninsula could spark scattered showers — a few possibly mixing with wet flakes near dawn Saturday as temperatures dip into the low 30s.
Saturday offers partial clearing and a quiet afternoon, but the calm won’t last. Another system arrives Sunday, drawing colder air and raising the chance for scattered snow showers north of M-32. While accumulation looks light, forecasters say grassy surfaces may briefly whiten early Sunday morning, especially in higher terrain near Johannesburg and Vanderbilt.
Drivers should watch for slick spots and patchy fog in the morning hours as surface temperatures hover near freezing. By Monday, a steadier rain pattern develops as warmer air returns, nudging highs into the upper 40s.
Looking ahead, models continue to suggest a colder start to November, with more frequent rain-snow mix chances for northern Lower Michigan as lake temperatures cool and winds shift northwest. Residents are encouraged to check furnaces, drain hoses, and prepare for the region’s steady slide toward winter.
Five-Day Forecast for Gaylord, MI:
Fri: 45/32 – Mostly cloudy; light north wind 5–15 mph.
Sat: 43/28 – Partly sunny; slight chance rain/snow mix late.
Sun: 48/36 – Scattered snow showers early; turning partly sunny.
Mon: 47/35 – Showers developing; breezy west winds.
Tue: 50/33 – Sunny; calmer and slightly warmer.
