Detroit, MI – Michigan may be heading into a cold, wet, and potentially snowy stretch for the Thanksgiving travel period, with new long-range federal outlooks indicating above-normal precipitation statewide from November 23 through November 29.
According to the Climate Prediction Center’s 8–14 Day Outlook released Saturday, both the Lower and Upper Peninsulas sit within a 40–50% probability zone favoring wetter-than-normal conditions. Michigan also lies close to a reinforcing cold-air mass settling over the Upper Midwest, a setup that often boosts the likelihood of early-season snow.
In the Upper Peninsula—from Marquette to Sault Ste. Marie—temperatures should be cold enough at times to support wet snow or mixed precipitation, especially if passing systems track north of Lake Michigan and Lake Superior. The U.P. historically sees some of the region’s most impactful Thanksgiving travel weather when these patterns align.
Across the Lower Peninsula, major population centers including Detroit, Grand Rapids, Lansing, Ann Arbor, and Flint remain in the same elevated precipitation zone. Temperatures here are expected to hover near the rain–snow line, meaning small shifts in timing could determine whether periods of cold rain or wet, slushy snow develop.
Lake-enhanced precipitation may also play a role, particularly on the western side of the state if colder air arrives behind any mid- or late-week systems.
Thanksgiving week is one of Michigan’s busiest travel periods, with heavy highway volume on I-75, I-94, and US-131. Even light snow or a cold rain can slow travel speeds, especially during peak departure days leading into the holiday.
Forecasters note that snowfall specifics and storm timing will become clearer early next week as short-range models begin capturing individual systems.
