A powerful low pressure system passed across Southern Lower Michigan on the night of the 20th.  Precipitation surged north into Northern Michigan early in the day on the 20th, falling primarily as snow over Eastern Upper and the high terrain of Northern Lower, and as a rain/snow mix near the coasts.  The snow was heavy where it was all snow, with 6 to 9 inches falling during the day in some areas.  As night arrived, cooler air started to enter the region, and precipitation changed to all snow (except near Saginaw Bay).  Another, more widespread round of heavy snow resulted.  Total snowfall amounts of 5 to 10 inches were common near the Northern Lower Michigan coastline, ramping up to 10 to 20 inches in Eastern Upper and higher terrain of Northern Lower.  The highest accumulations, 18 to 20 inches, fell on Gaylord in Northern Lower Michigan, and Kinross in Eastern Upper.  The snow was wet and sticky early on, especially in Northern Lower, and the resulting weight of the snow produced considerable damage to trees.  Hundreds of downed trees and limbs resulted in widespread power outages in parts of Northern Lower, some of which weren't restored until around Christmas Day.  Travel was brought to a near-standstill in some areas for a day or two, with gusty winds throughout the event producing problems with blowing and drifting snow.  All told, this was very much a high-impact winter storm in Northern Michigan.

Winter Storm in PRESQUE ISLE, MICHIGAN
From 20-DEC-12 09:00:00 to 21-DEC-12 11:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Winter Storm in CHARLEVOIX, MICHIGAN
From 20-DEC-12 09:00:00 to 21-DEC-12 11:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Winter Storm in MISSAUKEE, MICHIGAN
From 20-DEC-12 05:00:00 to 21-DEC-12 11:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Winter Storm in LEELANAU, MICHIGAN
From 20-DEC-12 08:00:00 to 21-DEC-12 13:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Winter Storm in ANTRIM, MICHIGAN
From 20-DEC-12 08:00:00 to 21-DEC-12 11:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 12.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Employee

Winter Storm in OTSEGO, MICHIGAN
From 20-DEC-12 08:00:00 to 21-DEC-12 11:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 85.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Winter Storm in MONTMORENCY, MICHIGAN
From 20-DEC-12 08:00:00 to 21-DEC-12 11:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 15.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Winter Storm in BENZIE, MICHIGAN
From 20-DEC-12 07:00:00 to 21-DEC-12 13:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Winter Storm in GRAND TRAVERSE, MICHIGAN
From 20-DEC-12 07:00:00 to 21-DEC-12 11:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 12.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Winter Storm in KALKASKA, MICHIGAN
From 20-DEC-12 07:00:00 to 21-DEC-12 11:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Winter Storm in CRAWFORD, MICHIGAN
From 20-DEC-12 07:00:00 to 21-DEC-12 11:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 45.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Employee

Winter Storm in MANISTEE, MICHIGAN
From 20-DEC-12 05:00:00 to 21-DEC-12 13:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Winter Storm in WEXFORD, MICHIGAN
From 20-DEC-12 05:00:00 to 21-DEC-12 11:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 20.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Winter Storm in CHIPPEWA, MICHIGAN
From 20-DEC-12 10:00:00 to 21-DEC-12 11:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Winter Storm in MACKINAC, MICHIGAN
From 20-DEC-12 10:00:00 to 21-DEC-12 11:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Winter Storm in EMMET, MICHIGAN
From 20-DEC-12 09:00:00 to 21-DEC-12 11:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Winter Storm in CHEBOYGAN, MICHIGAN
From 20-DEC-12 09:00:00 to 21-DEC-12 11:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 6.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public