Foggy, slippery dangers when traveling after Christmas

On December 27, 2024By Littum

NWS warnings are in effect HERE.

Foggy, slippery hazards emerge after Christmas in Upper Michigan and the Great Lakes region as high pressure brings a milder side to the winter but bottles the region with suspended moisture. Dense areas of fog that reduce visibility to less than a quarter mile, and patches of freezing drizzle can glaze surfaces with light ice. Chances of rain also enter the mix, which could add to the slick spots on roads and walkways.

The mild pattern leads to high temperatures in the region reaching the 40s towards the weekend. But the widespread rain cover late Friday night into Saturday could spread slippery hazards across UP roads — rain transitions into a wintry mix in the western UP as colder air begins to seep into those areas this weekend.

The dew and rain also affect winter recreation in the region, including uncertain ice on lakes until the cold returns to the OP towards New Year’s Day – snow chances included.

Tonight: Mostly cloudy with drizzle including freezing drizzle, patchy dense fog, light showers; light breeze

> Low: Upper 20s to 30s (colder inland)

Friday: Mostly cloudy with scattered rain, drizzle and fog; rain cover becomes widespread overnight; windy

> Highs: Upper 30s to Lower 40s

Saturday: Mostly cloudy with rain, plus a wintry mix west by afternoon; patchy drizzle and fog; windy

> Highs: Upper 30s to Lower 40s

Sunday and Monday: Partly to mostly cloudy with a patchy wintry mix

> Higher: 30s

Tuesday New Year’s Eve: Mostly cloudy with scattered snow showers; windy

> Height: 30

Wednesday New Year’s Day: Partly to mostly cloudy with lake-effect snow in the northwest wind belts; windy and colder

>Heights: 20s/30

Thursday: Mostly cloudy with lake-effect snow in the northwest wind belts; windy and colder

> Highlights: 20s