OTSEGO COUNTY — Heavy Lake effect snow has been impacting communities across Northern Michigan throughout this past weekend, creating difficult travel conditions and prompting extra time and caution for drivers. Road crews have been working around the clock as waves of snow continue to move through the region, reducing visibility and leaving many secondary roads slick and snow-covered.
Residents spent much of the weekend clearing sidewalks, digging out driveways, and trying to keep up as several rounds of lake effect bands developed over the region.
While main roads have improved thanks to constant plowing, rural areas remain challenging, and drivers are being encouraged to slow down and give themselves additional time.
The early-season snowfall has also led to increased demand for supplies like shovels and ice melt as people prepare for what is expected to be a long winter ahead.
This weekend has served as a reminder that winter weather is settling in, and communities will need to stay alert as more systems move through in the coming weeks.