Winter Storm — Grand Traverse, Michigan

2026-01-19 to 2026-01-20 · Grand Traverse, Michigan

Event narrative

Cooperative observer near Fife Lake reported 8.4 inches of snow by the morning of the 20th. Wind gusts as high as 51mph at Traverse City Cherry Capital Airport during the morning of the 19th.

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 1317275. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.