Marquette, Michigan — The coldest air of the winter season so far is expected to overspread Michigan’s Upper Peninsula late this week, bringing dangerously low temperatures and subzero wind chills from Friday into the weekend.
According to the National Weather Service in Marquette, a surge of Arctic air will move into the region Thursday night and Friday, with high temperatures on Friday likely remaining below zero across much of the Upper Peninsula, including the Marquette area. Overnight lows are expected to fall even further below zero.
Forecast graphics indicate wind chill values of -20°F to -35°F are possible at times, particularly on Friday, when gusty winds are expected to combine with the bitter cold. While winds are expected to diminish somewhat Saturday, dangerous wind chills are still forecast to persist into Sunday morning.
The prolonged cold increases the risk of frostbite and hypothermia, especially for anyone spending extended time outdoors. Exposed skin can become frostbitten in as little as 10 to 30 minutes under these conditions.
Forecasters advise residents to limit time outdoors, dress in multiple layers, and ensure all exposed skin is covered. Those with livestock, pets, or vulnerable plumbing are urged to take cold-weather precautions ahead of the coldest period.
No specific warnings were issued with this update, but officials stress that the severity and duration of the cold make this a high-impact event for Upper Michigan.
Students, outdoor workers, and early-morning commuters will be among those most affected by the extreme cold late this week.
