Gaylord, Michigan – A multi-hazard winter storm is expected to impact northern Michigan beginning late tonight, with slick roads from freezing rain followed by heavy snow and strong winds Sunday night through Monday.
According to the National Weather Service in Gaylord, light freezing rain or drizzle is expected late tonight into portions of Sunday, creating slick and hazardous road conditions, particularly across the Eastern Upper Peninsula and northern Lower Michigan. Ice accumulations are expected to remain light, with glaze amounts in northern Lower Michigan and up to 0.20 inches possible in parts of the eastern Upper Peninsula, where ice may accumulate on power lines and tree branches.
Conditions are expected to worsen significantly Sunday night, as a stronger storm system moves into the region. Forecasters indicate heavy snow potential from Sunday night through Monday, with the heaviest snowfall occurring overnight into Monday afternoon. Snowfall rates combined with wind may lead to whiteout conditions at times, drifting snow, and dangerous travel, especially on open roadways.
Snow probability maps show medium to high chances for 6 inches or more, with localized potential for 12 inches or more in parts of northern Michigan by early Tuesday.
Strong winds will add to the impacts. The National Weather Service reports a greater than 70% chance of wind gusts exceeding 45 mph on Monday, with the strongest winds expected from early Monday morning through Monday evening. These winds may result in downed trees and scattered power outages, particularly where ice accumulation occurs first.
The timing places the greatest risk during early Monday commutes, school transportation hours, and daytime travel across northern Michigan.
Residents are urged to prepare for rapidly deteriorating conditions and continue monitoring official updates as advisories or warnings may be issued.
