Traverse City, Michigan – Snow, sleet, and icing are rapidly worsening travel conditions across northern Lower Michigan Sunday morning, where several inches of accumulation and strong winds could make roads difficult to navigate for much of the day.
According to the National Weather Service in Gaylord, a Winter Weather Advisory remains in effect across much of northern Lower Michigan, with some counties under alerts until 2 p.m. Sunday and others until 8 p.m. Sunday evening. Additional snow and sleet totals of 4 to 6 inches are expected in parts of the region, while some areas could see up to a quarter-inch of ice accumulation. Winds may gust as high as 40 mph, increasing blowing snow and the risk of falling tree branches.
The advisory covers communities including Traverse City, Alpena, Kalkaska, Montmorency, Benzie, Crawford, Oscoda, and Alcona counties, where icy roadways are likely. Further south, Manistee, Wexford, Missaukee, Roscommon, Ogemaw, Iosco, Gladwin, and Arenac counties could see 3 to 7 inches of combined snow and sleet through early afternoon.
Drivers along US-31, M-72, US-131, and I-75 corridors may encounter slick pavement and reduced visibility in heavier bursts of snow. Emergency managers urge residents to slow down, keep emergency supplies in vehicles, and allow extra travel time.
Hazardous conditions could persist into the evening in parts of northern Michigan as snow and ice continue before gradually tapering later Sunday. Additional advisories may follow if icing intensifies.
