Winter Storm — Otsego, Michigan

2025-12-28 to 2025-12-29 · Otsego, Michigan

Event narrative

Observers at NWS Gaylord, MI forecast office 9mi SSW of Gaylord, MI reported approximately 0.10in of radial ice between 19:00 and midnight on the 29th, with 9.1 inches of snow by 1pm, most of which fell between 07:00 and 13:00. 24hr snowfall total ending at midnight going into the 30th was 11.7 inches, which set a new record for the Gaylord area for this date. Widespread reports of 8-12 inches of total snowfall across the county by the morning of the 30th.

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 1310190. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.