Northern Michigan is gearing up for a messy and impactful winter weekend as a storm system lifting out of Kansas tracks across Lower Michigan Sunday morning. According to the National Weather Service in Gaylord, snow will overspread the region from southwest to northeast beginning this afternoon, setting the stage for widespread accumulation through Sunday morning.
Snowfall intensity will increase tonight as the core of the storm passes through the state. Many areas can expect 4 to 8 inches of accumulation, with the heaviest totals likely across the higher terrain of northwest Lower Michigan and parts of the eastern U.P. Travel tonight and early Sunday is expected to be slow and hazardous due to snow-covered roads and reduced visibility.
By Sunday afternoon, the system transitions to lake effect snow showers, particularly along the Lake Michigan shoreline and interior snowbelts. Even lighter snowfall amounts could still present challenges as winds strengthen.
Winds will shift from the northeast to the northwest on Sunday and become gusty, creating blowing and drifting snow across open areas. This could significantly reduce visibility, even after the heaviest snow has ended, and lead to quickly changing road conditions—especially on north–south highways.
Temperatures through the event will remain cold enough to support all snow, helping accumulations build rapidly.
Drivers are urged to prepare for winter travel conditions through the entire weekend. The combination of falling snow, lake effect bands, and strong winds may result in hazardous travel through Sunday night, particularly in rural and exposed locations.
Residents should monitor updates from the National Weather Service as snowfall projections and wind impacts are refined.
More information will be issued as the storm continues to develop and move into the region.
