Buckle up, and bundle up.
The Detroit area and much of Michigan are bracing for the coldest weather of the season, with wind chills expected to reach as low as minus 25 degrees on Saturday.
“As Michiganders, we know our winters can include extreme weather, and we are about to face the toughest conditions of the season so far,” Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said in a statement.
“With potentially dangerous winter weather on the way, the State of Michigan is closely monitoring conditions as they develop and preparing for weather impacts. I encourage every Michigander to prepare, check on your neighbors and loved ones, and stay safe.”
Several metro Detroit establishments, such as the Detroit Zoo and Belle Isle Nature Center, plan to close this weekend due to the cold, while Wayne State University will go to remote operations and several events and festivals are either canceling or adjusting plans to account for the cold.
Friday weather forecast for Detroit and Michigan
The Detroit area’s high temperature for Friday, Jan. 23, is expected to be at midnight, just as the day starts, said Steve Freitag, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in White Lake.
“The temperature is going to fall from the upper teens the rest of the night and there won’t be a whole lot of warming during the day on Friday,” he said. “We will be hanging around zero or low single digits at best for the daytime hours, and then a frigid night for Friday night.”
Temperatures on Friday night will be around minus 10 degrees throughout much of the region.
The National Weather Service’s Cold Weather Advisory runs from 1 a.m. Friday through 10 a.m. Saturday. In these conditions, the cold winds can cause frostbite to exposed skin in as little as 30 minutes.
“We encourage everyone to take this forecast seriously,” said Col. James F. Grady II, state director of emergency management and the director of the Michigan State Police.
What is the coldest Jan. 24 on record?
The coldest Jan. 24 on record was minus 13 degrees in Detroit, Flint and Saginaw in 1963, Freitag said. Detroit probably won’t break that record on Saturday, but Flint could, he said.
The lowest high temperature ever recorded for Jan. 24 was 4 degrees in Detroit, 5 degrees for Flint, in 1963. Highs Saturday will be “mid to upper single numbers for the daytime hours,” Freitag said. “So close, near-record cold.”
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Tips to endure the Michigan cold
The State Police urges limiting time outdoors. For those who can’t avoid it, wear several layers of warm clothing and watch for signs of frostbite and hypothermia, which can include a loss of feeling and a white or pale appearance in extremities such as fingers, toes, earlobes and the tip of the nose. Hypothermia symptoms include intense shivering, exhaustion, confusion, slurred speech or drowsiness.
For frostbite, get out of the cold and place firm, steady pressure from a warm hand against the affected area. Exhaling on the affected area can also help warm it. Do not rub, apply snow or plunge the affected area into very hot or cold water. Victims of severe frostbite must receive prompt medical attention.
Those needing a nearby warming center can dial 2-1-1 on their phone or find available centers in their area at https://empoweringmichigan.com/michigan-warming-centers/.
Will that giant winter storm hit Michigan?
The frigid conditions are the result of an Arctic air mass that typically is located around Hudson Bay in northern Canada. It has been descending south and has now moved into the northern Great Lakes, Freitag said. The jet stream, a fast-flowing “river of air” in the upper atmosphere, is just below the low-pressure system that’s moved into the Great Lakes, meaning it’s channeling that Arctic air into the region.
“For the weekend, we’ve got a southern system just off Baja California that’s going to trek through the Gulf Coast states and grab that Gulf of Mexico moisture, and you are going to have the Battle of Air Masses,” he said. “It’s leading to that big storm we are all hearing about over the Tennessee and Kentucky valley and Mid-Atlantic.”
Michigan will be on the northern fringe of that weather chaos, “but it’s still going to be strong enough to produce snow for the Detroit Metro area; certainly Detroit could see 4 inches or more on Sunday,” Freitag said.
More tips to prepare for the Arctic cold
State police urge Michigan residents to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning by using generators and grills only outdoors and away from windows. Avoid overexertion while shoveling snow or other bursts of strenuous activity, as the cold weather can add further stress and extra strain on a person’s heart.
Those who must drive are encouraged to make sure their gas tank is full, and that they have an emergency kit stocked that includes warm clothing, blankets, gloves, hats and a phone charger. Should a motorist become stranded, they should stay with their vehicle and wait for help rather than attempting to walk in the cold, state police officials said.
Cold weather is also notorious for causing car batteries to die. “We definitely do see a lot more battery jumps when it comes to the cold weather,” said Amanda, a dispatcher with Waterford Towing in Oakland County who declined to give her last name.
“This weekend, we will make sure our battery boxes are fully charged on all of our tow trucks before sending them out. It’s possible it could be a busy weekend, but with how cold it’s going to be, I don’t know how many people are going to be out on the roads.”
Extended weather forecast
And what does the forecast look like for out of the frigid weekend, heading into next week? Cold − but not as cold − and periodic snow showers into Monday, Freitag said.
“More of the same.”
Contact Keith Matheny: kmatheny@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Winter storm crossing U.S. may clip Michigan as extreme cold sets in
Reporting by Keith Matheny, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
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