Gaylord, MI – The National Weather Service in Gaylord has issued widespread Winter Storm Warnings for much of northern Michigan, with heavy lake-effect snow and strong winds expected to cause dangerous Thanksgiving travel conditions from Wednesday evening through Friday.
The warnings cover Antrim, Benzie, Charlevoix, Chippewa, Crawford, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, Leelanau, Mackinac, Manistee, Missaukee, Otsego, Roscommon, and Wexford counties, including key cities such as Gaylord, Charlevoix, Petoskey, Munising, and Manistee.
Forecasters warn of snow totals ranging from 2 to 14 inches, depending on location, with the heaviest snow expected in Antrim and Kalkaska counties, where localized amounts could exceed 14 inches. Wind gusts will reach 45 to 50 mph, creating whiteout conditions and dangerous wind chills at times.
The worst travel impacts are expected Wednesday evening through Thursday morning, when strong winds and heavy lake-effect snow will combine to reduce visibility to near zero. Officials caution that Thanksgiving Day travel could remain hazardous, especially along US-131, M-32, and I-75.
In Chippewa and Mackinac counties, snowfall between 4 and 8 inches is forecast, with gusts up to 45 mph potentially knocking out power in exposed areas. Communities near Lake Michigan and Lake Superior will also see drifting snow and reduced visibility through Friday.
Residents are urged to delay nonessential travel and ensure vehicles are equipped with winter survival kits if driving becomes unavoidable. The National Weather Service advises monitoring weather.gov/Gaylord and checking 511mi.gov for road updates throughout the storm.
Meteorologists describe this as a “high-impact Thanksgiving event” likely to affect holiday gatherings, flights, and road conditions across the northern half of the state.
