SAULT STE. MARIE UPDATE via Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association – 01/27
Trail 49 update 1/27 Good evening!
Big progress tonight but still not officially open. Our trouble spots are still from Alberta Lane to 5 1/2 mile, and south of Devils Hill where the beaver pond is. It’s solid enough for sleds but not the groomer just yet. Steve was out there tonight. Here’s his detailed report.
“As most know, Trail 49 from the Soo to Kinross has been closed for the last few weeks due to standing water, open mud holes, and overall unsafe conditions.
We as a club have been watching the weather and trying to put a plan in place to safely work towards reopening this section of trail.
First off, I want to thank one of our active club members, Randy Menard, who spent a couple days this week photographing all the problem areas that led to the closing of this trail. The pictures were shared with our groomer drivers where we all had a chance to see what we were up against.
I think I may have been the first one who was comfortable with what was shown in the pictures, which led to tonight’s grooming run. Lol.
We decided yesterday, we were going to go in with a groomer, and start preparing this trail to reopen.
I’m not going to lie, there are some anxious moments that lead up to a run like this. We are heading into a swamp, with a couple miles of standing water. Once you commit to going in, there is no place to turn around for a really long stretch.
I contacted my good friend Chris, who is a regular passenger with me on this section of trail. He is a former snowmobiler, and someone I can count on to hop in and ride along knowing exactly what we are driving into. I want to thank Chris too for stepping up and coming with me tonight. There is a lot going on in a groomer, and the passenger seat is nerve wracking too. We left after work tonight, and headed out in heavy snow with increasing winds. You’ll see in our pics, visibility was poor. It stayed this way most of the night.
We hopped on the trail and headed south. It was slow going most of the night. I don’t think it could get any rougher than it currently is.
I am happy to report a large part of the trail is froze solid. We did sink the groomer once, but with the lockers engaged and careful driving we were able to get ourselves out. We made it all the way to Devil’s Hill, which is just north of the beaver pond between 12 Mile Rd and Gaines Hwy. The return trip went well and it was sure a relief when we could see the lights in the Soo.
We avoided the trail behind the county road commission. It is still wet and not quite ready for a groomer.
We knocked down some high spots but didn’t really improve the trail much. I wasn’t comfortable carrying much snow with me in the drag tonight. I was trying to keep the weight down to give us a better chance to stay on top of the ice. We will be in contact with the DNR and will keep working towards getting this trail reopened.
Hopefully we have some good news to share soon. Steve Lawson”
Thanks all! Getting closer every day! Appreciate your work and report Steve! ❄️❄️❄️
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Hi again! While Steve was out on 49, Nick was over in Raco and Brimley on trail 8, the powerline, and part of 480. From Nick tonight- “3 inches of lake effect snow really helped shape the trails up tonight. No complaints from ranger road to Brimley to Spile dam! 10/10” Thanks Nick! Ride safe and enjoy, all!❄️❄️❄️
FROM Meteorologist Brad Sugden >> I need to post this image again because WOW. I can't recall the last time nearly all of the United States was forecast to be below average. Before anyone gets on the "SEE CLIMATE CHANGE IS FAKE" train... one of these below average maps DOES NOT negate the other 500 above average ones. Trends, folks. Trends. Nothing is a straight line. The warming temperature trend line is full of peaks and valleys with an overall increasing trend. 🙂 #miweather #keweenaw#westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsarea#petoskey#gaylord#cadillac#traversecityI need to post this image again because WOW. I can't recall the last time nearly all of the United States was forecast to be below average.
Before anyone gets on the "SEE CLIMATE CHANGE IS FAKE" train... one of these below average maps DOES NOT negate the other 500 above average ones. Trends, folks. Trends. Nothing is a straight line. The warming temperature trend line is full of peaks and valleys with an overall increasing trend. 🙂 ... See MoreSee Less
After Thanksgiving, a large portion of the U.S. will likely see below normal temperatures into early December. And of course, there's southern Florida. 🌞
FROM Sault Ste. Marie Snowmobile Association >> Well would you look at that?! It’s been so long I forget how exhilarating it is! Get ready to book your trips for the season soon! The Rail House-Trout Lake MI is a great choice in the Trout Lake area, and a valued commercial member. Please support those who support us! Let it snow! ❄️❄️❄️ #snowphotos #soo11/20/24 First accumulated snow of the season !!!!!!!! Fingers crossed 🤞 this is an epic season ... See MoreSee Less
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Here's a map of observed snow totals from the recent storm. Snow totals ranged from little to nothing along the Superior shoreline due to the warm lake temperatures, to 2 feet plus in the higher terrain of Marquette and Baraga Counties. Thank you to everyone who submitted reports! Text listing of reports: mesonet.agron.iastate.edu/wx/afos/p.php... #miweather #keweenaw#westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaHere's a map of observed snow totals from the recent storm. Snow totals ranged from little to nothing along the Superior shoreline due to the warm lake temperatures, to 2 feet plus in the higher terrain of Marquette and Baraga Counties. Thank you to everyone who submitted reports!
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> The spring storm system weakens as it departs from the region today. Additional accumulations are expected around 1 to 4 inches, mainly in the high terrain of north central Upper Michigan. Dry and pleasant weather is on the way this weekend with temperatures trending to above normal by early next week. #miweather #keweenaw#westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaThe spring storm system weakens as it departs from the region today. Additional accumulations are expected around 1 to 4 inches, mainly in the high terrain of north central Upper Michigan. Dry and pleasant weather is on the way this weekend with temperatures trending to above normal by early next week. ... See MoreSee Less
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> The ongoing spring storm will bring an additional 6-8" of wet snow to the Marquette and Baraga county highlands overnight tonight through Thursday morning. Travel could be tricky on unplowed roads or where blowing snow causes low visibility. Snow begins to taper off Thursday afternoon. #miweather #keweenaw#westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaThe ongoing spring storm will bring an additional 6-8" of wet snow to the Marquette and Baraga county highlands overnight tonight through Thursday morning. Travel could be tricky on unplowed roads or where blowing snow causes low visibility. Snow begins to taper off Thursday afternoon. ... See MoreSee Less
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> The strong storm continues through tonight, bringing a combination of high winds and heavy wet snow. Marquette and Baraga counties remain under Blizzard Warnings with Winter Storm Warnings elsewhere. Widespread 20 to 25 mph winds with gusts up to 35 to 45 mph are expected across Upper Michigan. Gusts as high as 50 to 55 mph are possible along Lake Superior and in the Keweenaw. Widespread 4 to 12 inches of snow is expected, lowest in the east. Snow amounts in excess of 1 to 2 feet are expected across the high terrain of Marquette and Baraga Counties into Thursday morning. #miweather #keweenaw#westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsarea***Blizzard Warnings have expired***
The strong storm continues through tonight, bringing a combination of high winds and heavy wet snow. Marquette and Baraga counties remain under Blizzard Warnings with Winter Storm Warnings elsewhere. Widespread 20 to 25 mph winds with gusts up to 35 to 45 mph are expected across Upper Michigan. Gusts as high as 50 to 55 mph are possible along Lake Superior and in the Keweenaw. Widespread 4 to 12 inches of snow is expected, lowest in the east. Snow amounts in excess of 1 to 2 feet are expected across the high terrain of Marquette and Baraga Counties into Thursday morning. #906wx #MIwx ... See MoreSee Less
Are trail gates closed on Trail 5 from Champion up to Big Bay and other trails around there or can we still sneak out? With this much snow, we can probably can’t see the gates! Lol.
WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Winter Storm and Blizzard Warnings have been issued! Blizzard warnings are in effect for Baraga and Marquette Counties. Heavy wet snow will arrive later tonight into Thursday morning as a low pressure system lifts into the Great Lakes. Strong northerly winds are expected and blowing snow is likely. Widespread 8-12 inches are forecast; higher amounts in excess of 2 feet are forecast across the higher terrain of Marquette and Baraga Counties into Thursday morning. Note: A sharp gradient in snow totals is expected just inland from the Great Lake-especially along the Lake Superior shoreline in Baraga and Marquette Counties. Wet snow combined with strong northerly winds may cause sporadic power outages. A prolonged mix of rain and snow will enable lower snow totals over the eastern sections of the U.P. #miweather #keweenaw#westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsarea... See MoreSee Less
WINTER STORM WEATHER UPDATE via TV6 & FOX UP >> WINTER STORM UPDATE: Rain/snow begins moving into the Southern counties this afternoon. It becomes widespread wet snow tonight through tomorrow. You can expect sloppy roads and strong winds. For more impacts and the timeline check out the video... #miweather #keweenaw#westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsareaWINTER STORM UPDATE: Rain/snow begins moving into the Southern counties this afternoon. It becomes widespread wet snow tonight through tomorrow. You can expect sloppy roads and strong winds. For more impacts and the timeline check out the video. Forecast>www.uppermichiganssource.com/2024/04/02/hazardous-travel-spring-storm-will-bring-heavy-snow-stron...... See MoreSee Less
WINTER STORM WEATHER UPDATE via US National Weather Service Marquette Michigan >> Winter Storm Warnings have been issued! Heavy wet snow is expected tonight into Thursday morning as a low pressure system lifts into the Great Lakes. Widespread 8-12 inches are forecast; higher amounts in excess of 1-2 feet are forecast across the high terrain of Marquette and Baraga Counties into Thursday morning. Note: A sharp gradient in snow totals is expected between the lower amounts (up to a foot or more near Marquette County lakeshores) and the heavier accumulations in the higher terrain of the west. Widespread 20 to 25 mph winds with gusts up to 35 to 45 mph are expected across Upper Michigan. Gusts as high as 50 to 55 mph are possible along Lake Superior and in the Keweenaw causing blowing snow and reducing visibilities. Wet snow combined with strong winds may cause sporadic power outages. Continue to monitor the forecast for changes. #miweather #keweenaw#westernup #marquette #munising #seney #newberry #soo #straitsarea... See MoreSee Less