Gaylord, Michigan – Bitter cold and brisk winds made for a dangerous start to the day across northern Michigan, with wind chills plunging well below zero before conditions slowly improve later this afternoon.
According to the National Weather Service in Gaylord, wind chills early this morning ranged from around 10 below zero to as cold as 24 below zero across much of northern Lower Michigan and eastern Upper Michigan. Frostbite can occur on exposed skin in as little as 10 to 15 minutes under these conditions. Winds are expected to gradually ease through the afternoon, allowing wind chills to recover slightly, though temperatures will remain cold.
Snow showers remain possible through much of the week, especially downwind of Lake Michigan and Lake Superior. After today’s cold, temperatures are expected to rebound modestly Wednesday, with highs climbing into the 20s. That brief improvement will not last. Cold air begins to return Thursday, setting the stage for what could be the coldest day of the winter so far on Friday.
Communities including Gaylord, Alpena, Cadillac, Petoskey, Traverse City, and Grayling should prepare for another sharp drop in temperatures late week, with renewed snow showers and increasing cold stress on people, pets, and infrastructure.
Residents are urged to limit time outdoors during extreme cold, dress in layers, protect pets and livestock, and keep winter safety kits in vehicles. Additional cold weather advisories may be issued as colder air strengthens later this week.
