Significant icing is possible in a winter storm expected to move through northern Michigan starting Saturday night through Monday.
But forecasters say there are key differences between this event and the one that devastated the region nearly a year ago.
As of Saturday morning, the forecast called for about a quarter-inch of ice to build up during the storm — maybe slightly more in some places.
"A quarter of an inch on trees and power lines can certainly cause damage and power outages," said Joe DeLizio, a meteorologist in the Gaylord office of the National Weather Service.
Last year's storm brought triple that amount of ice — up to three-quarters of an inch in many parts of northern Michigan, snapping trees and utility poles, weighing down power lines, and leaving thousands without power for days on end.
But there's a key difference this time around.
"We had an extreme case last year where not only was there a ton of rain that did fall but it was for a multi-day period," DeLizio said of the 2025 storm. "For this event here, it will be a much shorter window."
The storm this weekend is expected to begin early Sunday with a heavy dose of snowfall — four to seven inches near Traverse City with totals increasing as you head north. The Tip of the Mitt region and the eastern Upper Peninsula could see two feet of snow.
Gusty winds will blow the snow around, reducing visibility ont he roads.
After that first dose of snow comes freezing rain and sleet on Sunday night, and then more snow on Monday.
The bulk of the ice buildup will be in an area that stretches from Cadillac, northeast toward Rogers City and Alpena, DeLizio said.
It's harder to pinpoint exactly how much ice will build up, versus clearer predictions on snow accumulation.
"There’s a subtle difference between freezing rain and sleet and plain rain," DeLizio said. "It can just be a degree or two between freezing rain and rain. That creates a very fine line for error in the forecast."
National Weather Service forecasters are continuing to monitor the system and you can find their most recent predictions and observations here.
