Winter Storm — Manistee, Michigan

2026-01-18 to 2026-01-20 · Manistee, Michigan

Event narrative

Snowfall observer near Brethren in southern Manistee county reported 8 inches by the evening of the 19th, with a 21 to 1 snow-to-liquid ratio; 10.2 inches of snow fell over 30 to 36 hrs near Wellston. Winds gusted as high as 45mph at Manistee-Blacker Airport in Manistee during the morning hours.

Wider weather episode

SW flow lake effect snow developed late in the day on the 18th, and a mesolow dropped SSE across the area on the morning of the 19th, crossing from Leelanau County to near Grayling through the morning hours. A strong NW flow lake effect band developed in its wake with flow ultimately shifting to the WNW in the late afternoon/evening.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1317273. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.