Winter Storm Summary... Nearly 2 feet of snow in some areas!
Tue, Dec 15, 2009 - By National Weather Service, Gaylord
A significant winter storm brought heavy snow and wind to Northern Michigan between Tuesday, December 8th and Friday, December 11th. Many areas received over one foot of snowfall in a 72 hour period, with numerous closures and some power outages. In addition, gusty winds of 40+ mph created widespread blowing and drifting snow, with near blizzard conditions at times. Based on spotter reports, the heaviest snow appears to have fallen between Boyne City, Wolverine, Gaylord and Kalkaska. In this area, several reports of snowfall greater than 20 inches were reported.
A few interesting weather factoids from this significant winter storm:
- Gaylord had it 2nd largest three day snowfall since 1950, with 21.8 inches
(Record 3 day snowfall is 24.5 inches in January, 1990)
- Traverse City had its 10th largest three day snowfall since 1950, with 18.2 inches
(Record 3 day snowfall is 27.6 inches in February, 1985)
- A 66 mph wind gust at Presque Isle Light occurred at 655 am on December 9th.
- A 62 mph wind gust at Mackinac City occurred at 442 am on December 9th.
Snowfall map - December 8th-11th
Place |
72 Hour Snowfall (in) |
| Sanderson Field (ANJ) | 14.1 |
| Alpena AP | 7.8 |
| Houghton Lake | 9.2 |
| Atlanta | 10.9 |
| Charlevoix | 15.0 |
| Detour Village | 8.0 |
| Ellsworth | 16.2 |
| Elmira | 23.5 |
| Gaylord | 21.8 |
| 9SSW Gaylord | 18.8 |
| Gladwin | 6.0 |
| Glennie | 10.0 |
| Harrisville | 1.6 |
| SW Houghton Lake | 11.5 |
| Lake City | 11.0 |
| Lupton | 10.0 |
| Sault Ste Marie | 14.1 |
| Standish | 5.0 |
| NW MI Research Farm | 10.0 |
| Traverse City | 18.2 |
| Mio | 9.8 |
| Moran | 5.8 |