Winter Storm — Western Mackinac County, Michigan

2025-12-28 to 2025-12-29 · Western Mackinac County, Michigan

Event narrative

Mackinac County Emergency Management issued a travel advisory at 13:22pm on the 29th, urging people to stay off roads except for emergencies, due to low visibility and blowing snow. Snowfall estimates as high as 16-20 inches.

Wider weather episode

Very strong low pressure system crossed northern Michigan during the overnight hours on the 28th into the 29th. Somewhat milder air ahead of the low led to some areas of rain/freezing rain during the overnight hours, before transitioning to snow as much colder air rushed into the region behind a cold front. Highest snowfall totals ranged from 8-10 inches across NW lower Michigan to nearly 2 feet across western Chippewa and Mackinac counties. Sustained winds of 20-30mph were accompanied by widespread wind gusts of 40-50mph'including some stronger wind gusts to around 60-70mph early in the morning. Synoptic moisture departed through the afternoon and snowfall tapered off to NW lake effect bands through the afternoon as winds slowly diminished.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1310179. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.