Extreme Cold Warning issued for part of Michigan; wind chill has already reached 40 degrees below zero

By Lucas

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Extreme Cold Warning issued for part of Michigan; wind chill has already reached 40 degrees below zero

The western section of the Upper Peninsula is under an Extreme Cold Warning, the first of its kind in Michigan. It’s a region of the state where the wind chill has already dropped to 40 degrees below zero in at least one location today, and daytime highs will struggle to reach above zero on Monday and Tuesday.

The National Weather Service (NWS) has already issued a Cold Weather Advisory for nearly the entire state of Michigan. The daytime highs in the Lower Peninsula and eastern end of the Upper Peninsula are expected to be in the single digits on Monday and Tuesday.

However, the extremely cold Arctic air will cause wind chills – the “feels like” temperature – to drop to 25 below zero, or even lower, in some areas.

This is dangerously cold air for both people and pets. Frostbite can develop in 30 minutes or less when skin is exposed to cold air.

However, the west end of the Upper Peninsula is expected to receive the extreme end of the Siberian Express – the bitterly cold air originating in Siberia and already flowing across Michigan.

The Extreme Cold Warning has been issued from late Monday to mid-day Tuesday.

“The dangerously cold wind chills as low as 40 below zero could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 10 minutes,” NWS meteorologists in Marquette warned. “If unprotected skin is exposed to these temperatures, it will cause frostbite and hypothermia. An extended period of freezing temperatures may result in ruptured water pipes.”

The NWS team reported that Iron Mountain, on the west end of the Upper Peninsula, had a wind chill of 40 below zero as of early this morning.

Wind chills of -45 degrees Fahrenheit are expected by early Tuesday morning.

“Homeowners and property managers should take action now for this cold period, especially if previous very cold periods have caused problems,” the NWS team stated in its forecast notes today.

“Make sure your Winter Car Survival Kit is up to date.” Limit your outdoor time and that of your pets this weekend through Tuesday, and keep an eye out for vulnerable neighbors.”

This cold air is accompanied by snowfall in West Michigan and blowing, gusty snow in the Upper Peninsula. Michigan State Police announced earlier today that the M-28 state highway between Marquette and Munising has been closed in both directions due to white-out conditions caused by blowing snow from Lake Superior.

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