By Charles E. Ramirez, cramirez@detroitnews.com
An Extreme Cold Watch is in effect for Michigan from late Thursday night through Saturday morning, the National Weather Service said.
Dangerously cold wind chills could drop as low as 25 below zero and can cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 30 minutes, the weather service said.
In northeast Lower Michigan, a Winter Weather Advisory is in effect until 7 p.m. Thursday. Snow accumulations are expected between 2-5 inches with winds gusting as high as 30 mph through Thursday.
The forecasts are the result of an expected Arctic airmass settling over the region Thursday night, “bringing actual temperatures below zero late Thursday night and Friday night.”
Wind chills each night into the mornings each day likely will fall to 15-20 degrees below zero. It could dip to 25 below, the weather service said.
Several inches of snow blanketed Metro Detroit throughout the day Wednesday, creating challenging commutes for drivers.
NWS meteorologists warned slick roads and reduced visibility would result in hazardous travel conditions across the state. They urged motorists to give themselves extra time to reach their destinations.
Southeast Michigan’s temperatures were expected to range between 15 and 20 degrees Wednesday, according to the weather service.
Detroit’s high temperature on Wednesday rose to 31 near 4 p.m. The city’s average high temperature in January is 32. The coldest January on record in southeast Michigan was set in 1977 with 12.8, according to NWS data. The warmest was in 1932 with 36.7.
Detroit’s high temperature on Thursday is expected to drop to 25. More snow is also possible Thursday night due to the lake effect, the NWS said. Cold, below-freezing air is expected to pass over Lake Michigan and turn the moist air into snow.
High temperatures for Friday and Saturday are projected to struggle to reach 9 and 8, respectively, with overnight lows of minus-6 and minus-3. The Lower Peninsula’s southern half may face wind chills of minus-5 to minus-20 by early Saturday morning.
Extended Detroit forecast
Thursday: Partly sunny; high 25, low 4.
Friday: Mostly sunny; high 9, low -9.
Saturday: Partly sunny; high 8, low -1.
Sunday: Mostly cloudy; high 15, low 4.
Monday: Mostly sunny; high 18, low 6.
Tuesday: Partly sunny, high 21.
Source: National Weather Service
