Gaylord, MI – Ice is rapidly building across northern Lower Michigan this afternoon, creating slick roads and dangerous travel conditions ahead of the evening commute.
According to the National Weather Service in Gaylord, an Ice Storm Warning remains in effect until 6 p.m. Thursday for areas including Emmet, Cheboygan, Presque Isle, Otsego, Montmorency, and Alpena counties. Additional ice accumulations up to 0.10 inches are expected, with some areas already reporting up to 0.25 inches of ice.
Cities including Gaylord, Alpena, Petoskey, and Cheboygan are seeing untreated roads turn slippery, especially on bridges and elevated surfaces. Wind gusts up to 35 mph are increasing the risk of tree damage and isolated power outages as ice weighs down branches and power lines.
Drivers should slow down and allow extra travel time, particularly during the late afternoon commute. Emergency managers advise preparing for possible outages and avoiding unnecessary travel if conditions worsen.
Icing is expected to taper after 6 p.m., but lingering slick spots may persist into the evening. Additional advisories remain possible if conditions do not improve quickly.
