Gaylord, Michigan – Dangerous cold and renewed snowfall are affecting Northern Michigan, with wind chills well below zero Thursday morning and accumulating snow expected to return by late tonight.
According to the National Weather Service in Gaylord, wind chills across Gaylord and much of Northern Lower Michigan are forecast to fall into the teens below zero, with 20 to 25 degrees below zero possible in parts of eastern Upper Michigan. Winds gusting 20 to 30 mph early Thursday are contributing to the hazardous conditions, though winds are expected to gradually weaken later in the day.
Daytime high temperatures in Gaylord are forecast to reach only 8 to 23 degrees Thursday, with lingering lake-effect snow showers continuing to diminish. Despite quieter conditions during the day, another round of more widespread snow is expected to develop late Thursday night into Friday.
Forecasters say several inches of snow accumulation are possible near Lake Michigan and across portions of both Northern Lower and Upper Michigan. On Friday, high temperatures are expected to range from 23 to 32 degrees, cold enough to support continued snowfall and slick road conditions.
The cold pattern is expected to persist into the weekend. Highs are forecast to remain in the mid-20s to around 30 degrees Saturday, followed by another surge of colder air Sunday and Monday. By Monday, highs in the Gaylord area may drop back to 8 to 16 degrees, with continued lake-effect snow showers possible in snowbelt regions.
The National Weather Service warns that prolonged exposure to extreme cold can result in frostbite or hypothermia, especially during the overnight and early morning hours.
Commuters, students, and outdoor workers in the Gaylord area should plan for dangerous wind chills, reduced visibility during snow, and icy travel conditions through the next several days.
