A severe winter storm is still affecting Gaylord and all of northern Michigan today, bringing heavy snow, strong winds, and hazardous travel conditions throughout the area. The National Weather Service in Gaylord cautions that localized blizzard conditions are expected at times, particularly between mid-morning and early afternoon.
Snowfall rates will be high at times, with further accumulations of 6 to 12 inches expected in and around Gaylord by tonight. Strong west-northwest winds are likely to gust between 45 and 55 mph, resulting in extensive blowing and drifting snow. These conditions may cause quickly fluctuating visibility, especially on broad roadways and secondary highways.
Forecasters predict that the most dangerous travel window will be late today morning until early afternoon, when the greatest winds coincide with the heaviest snowfall. During this time, whiteout conditions can develop quickly, making travel exceedingly dangerous or impossible at times. Even well-treated roads might be snow-covered again in minutes.
electrical outages are also a risk, particularly in regions where ice accumulated on Sunday and strong winds might knock down trees and electrical lines. Residents are encouraged to plan ahead of time for any disruptions and keep emergency supplies on hand.
Officials strongly caution against non-essential travel in northern Michigan today. If travel is inevitable, drivers should pack winter survival kits, keep mobile devices charged, and notify others of their travel plans. Snow drifting may continue into the nighttime hours, even after snowfall rates begin to reduce.
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