February 20, 2026 – 11:55 am update: – FRIDAY NOON – Wild weather is in the forecast heading into the weekend with snow, mixed precipitation and rain in the forecast. Trails are in solid shape in the U.P. Trails are likely to be best in the Western U.P. and the Keweenaw east to Marquette where they are expecting more snow in the snow/rain mix. The Eastern U.P. should also hold up for the weekend with a rain/snow mix in the forecast.
Northern Lower Michigan suffered more during the warm up and there is rain and a snow/rain mix in the forecast. Trails are likely to be poor to fair in exposed areas and fair to good deeper in the woods.
Check all the local reports for the latest updates…
KEWEENAW PENINSULA UPDATE via Visit Keweenaw >> Keweenaw’s lake effect snow machine is showing off—50+ inches in 5 days, more on the way. ❄️ Snowmobilers, skiers, and adventure seekers—this is your moment! ⤵️ #keweenawKeweenaw’s lake effect snow machine is showing off—50+ inches in 5 days, more on the way. ❄️ Snowmobilers, skiers, and adventure seekers—this is your moment! ⤵️ 🔗 www.visitkeweenaw.com/outdoors/winter-activities/
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Gaylord Michigan >> Snow and gusty winds return through the day today, with hazardous travel conditions likely this afternoon into the evening. Heaviest snowfall is expected across eastern upper Michigan, with travel impacts likely along US 2 west of St. Ignace due to gusty southerly winds. For northern lower, the heaviest snowfall generally favors spots along and north of M-32. Activity will transition to lake effect snow tonight. #miweather #gaylord #cadillac #benzie#traversecity#petoskey #soo #newberrySnow and gusty winds return through the day today, with hazardous travel conditions likely this afternoon into the evening. Heaviest snowfall is expected across eastern upper Michigan, with travel impacts likely along US 2 west of St. Ignace due to gusty southerly winds. For northern lower, the heaviest snowfall generally favors spots along and north of M-32. Activity will transition to lake effect snow tonight. #MIwx ... See MoreSee Less
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> A strengthening Clipper low brings a 2-to-6-hour period of moderate to heavy snowfall to the UP today, with the greatest snow totals in the east. In addition, gusty winds will bring areas of blowing snow along the lakeshores. Expect at least hazardous travel today. #miweather #keweenaw#westernup#marquette#munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaA strengthening Clipper low brings a 2-to-6-hour period of moderate to heavy snowfall to the UP today, with the greatest snow totals in the east. In addition, gusty winds will bring areas of blowing snow along the lakeshores. Expect at least hazardous travel today. #906wx #miwx ... See MoreSee Less
PARADISE AREA UPDATE via Paradise Area Night Riders www.paradiseareanightriders.org >> 2/24/26 A big fat zero degrees this morning with a wind chill of -16 under a cloudy sky.....kinda cold out der. We are under a winter storm warning today. "They" are calling for 5-9".....hmmmm....we`ll see. As always, Mondays are maintenance day so nothing was run but we`ll hit everything today. With this cold weather and if we get this snow we`ll be golden. I may have to break out that E word! All trails are in great shape now anyhow but a foot of snow would be perfect. I`ll let ya`s know how things go tomorrow. COME ON U.P. LET `ER SNOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Groomer Chris #paradise #newberry ... See MoreSee Less
WEATHER UPDATE via Meteorologist Brad Sugden >> Snow time!! This one is a clipper followed by lake effect. Temperatures in the 10s and 20s with gusts to 25mph means a fluffy snow capable of blowing around is coming. #miweatherSnow time!! This one is a clipper followed by lake effect. Temperatures in the 10s and 20s with gusts to 25mph means a fluffy snow capable of blowing around is coming.
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BIG BAY AREA UPDATE via Big Bay 550 Snowmobile Club >> Big Bay to Andersons corner is groomed and in good condition Big Bay to moose country trails is groomed and in good condition Big Bay to Marquette is groomed and in good condition Rude safe and ride right! #marquette... See MoreSee Less
WEATHER UPDATE via Michigan Storm Chasers >> Here's our last call snowfall outlook regarding the system starting today, February 24th, and finishing up Wednesday, February 25th, 2026... #miweather #keweenaw#westernup#marquette#munising #seney #newberry #soo #gaylord #cadillac #benzie#traversecity#petoskeyHere's our last call snowfall outlook regarding the system starting today, February 24th, and finishing up Wednesday, February 25th, 2026.
Discussion The only significant changes to the map shown since yesterday are the addition of a 6-12" zone to focus on the back-side lake effect snow through the end of the day on Wednesday that will bump up totals across the eastern Upper Peninsula, and a slight shift south of the 1-3" zone towards Kalamazoo and Ann Arbor. Besides a few wobbles, the 2-5" and 4-8" zones remain largely the same. The entire Upper Peninsula now has winter alerts issued for this incoming snow. Notice, we've added a dashed green line to denote that areas south of it will deal with greater uncertainty in higher snowfall totals due to daytime temperatures above 32°F, plus the presence of low-level dry air filtering into the state. There should still be enough time to give everyone a solid half inch across the state, but for those primarily south of I-94, that may be all.
For timing, truthfully, not everyone will see the peak of precipitation by the end of the day. The front will be taking its time as it crosses the state this morning and afternoon. Upper Peninsula west of Newberry, you'll see your snow beginning by noon. After the noon timeframe, it'll be everyone else across the state. Last to see the precipitation start today will be southeastern Michigan, where flurries/light rain may not start until after 10 pm EST. Remember, gusty winds are possible within this passing winter storm, and as such, travel will become difficult at times as visibility drops to under a half a mile within the highest snowfall rates. Travel with care, and make sure to turn on headlights AND taillights when driving in any snow squall. Snow will finish by noon Wednesday, but continue as lake effect for the Upper Peninsula through the end of Wednesday, as denoted by the circled yellow area.
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