Gaylord, MI – Residents across Northern Lower Michigan and parts of the eastern Upper Peninsula should prepare for dangerous winter travel conditions beginning late tonight and lasting into Friday afternoon.
According to the National Weather Service in Gaylord, a Winter Weather Advisory goes into effect at 10 p.m. Thursday for a wide portion of Northern Lower Michigan, including Emmet, Cheboygan, Charlevoix, Leelanau, Grand Traverse, Antrim, Benzie, Manistee, Wexford, Kalkaska, Crawford, and Otsego counties. The advisory remains in effect until 4 p.m. Friday. A separate advisory for western Chippewa County in the Upper Peninsula lasts until 1 p.m. Friday.
Forecasters say 2 to 5 inches of snow are expected across Northern Lower Michigan, with locally higher amounts possible in lake-effect snow bands. Winds could gust as high as 45 mph, creating blowing and drifting snow and sharply reduced visibility. In western Chippewa County, snowfall totals of 1 to 3 inches are expected, with wind gusts reaching 40 mph.
Rapidly falling temperatures overnight will cause wet roads to freeze, leading to icy and slippery conditions, especially on bridges, overpasses, and untreated roads. Officials warn that visibility may drop quickly in heavier snow bands, making travel unpredictable.
The combination of strong winds and accumulating snow is expected to impact the Friday morning commute, and gusty conditions may bring down tree branches or result in isolated power outages.
The National Weather Service urges drivers to slow down, increase following distance, and be prepared for sudden changes in weather conditions, particularly during lake-effect snow.
Conditions are expected to gradually improve Friday afternoon as winds ease and snowfall diminishes.
