Gaylord, MI – Holiday travelers heading across northern Michigan should prepare for potentially hazardous travel conditions late Christmas Day into Friday, as a stronger storm system brings a wintry mix of precipitation to the region.
According to the National Weather Service in Gaylord, conditions remain relatively quiet through Christmas Eve and much of Christmas Day, with only light precipitation expected. However, forecasters say a larger and more impactful system is forecast to arrive late Thursday night (Christmas Day) and continue into Friday, with impacts potentially lingering into the weekend.
Weather models indicate a high likelihood of mixed precipitation, including rain, snow, sleet, and freezing rain, particularly across northern Lower Michigan. Probability maps show a moderate to high chance for at least a trace of ice accumulation, especially from Cadillac and Gaylord southward into parts of the northern Lower Peninsula, where icing probabilities exceed 60 percent in some areas.
The Upper Peninsula is more likely to see snow, especially across eastern sections, while areas farther south could experience freezing rain and sleet, raising concerns for slick roads, reduced visibility, and travel delays. Exact precipitation types and amounts remain uncertain and will depend on subtle temperature changes as the system moves in.
Temperatures are expected to range from the mid-20s to mid-30s, keeping many road surfaces near the freezing mark—conditions favorable for black ice and rapid icing, especially overnight and during early morning travel.
The National Weather Service advises travelers to monitor forecast updates closely, especially those planning trips Thursday night through Saturday. Motorists should allow extra travel time, slow down, and be prepared for rapidly changing conditions.
While confidence is increasing in the timing of the storm, forecasters stress that accumulations and exact impacts may still change in the coming days.
