Gaylord, Michigan – Life-threatening cold continues to grip northern Michigan, with brutal wind chills plunging to as low as 30 degrees below zero and creating dangerous conditions for anyone spending time outdoors early Saturday.
According to the National Weather Service in Gaylord, an Extreme Cold Warning remains in effect until 11 AM EST Saturday for much of northern Lower Michigan, including areas from Manistee and Traverse City east to Alpena and Arenac County. Wind chills in these locations could drop as low as 35 below zero, leading to frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 10 minutes.
Counties under the warning include Grand Traverse, Leelanau, Benzie, Antrim, Otsego, Crawford, Kalkaska, Wexford, Missaukee, Roscommon, Ogemaw, Iosco, Gladwin, Arenac, Alpena, Presque Isle, Cheboygan, Emmet, and Charlevoix, including Beaver Island.
Farther north, the Extreme Cold Warning continues until 1 PM EST Saturday for eastern Upper Michigan locations, including Chippewa and Mackinac counties and Mackinac Island. These areas will experience similar wind chills near 30 below, extending the frostbite risk into the early afternoon.
Officials urge residents to avoid prolonged outdoor exposure, dress in insulated layers with face protection, and limit unnecessary travel during the coldest hours. The Extreme Cold Warning remains in effect through late Saturday morning and early afternoon, with conditions expected to slowly improve later in the day. Additional advisories could be issued if cold air lingers longer than expected.
