Gaylord, Mich. – Northern Michigan will experience its sharpest fall chill yet, as a Frost Advisory remains in effect through 8 a.m. Wednesday followed by a Freeze Watch late tonight through Thursday morning, according to the National Weather Service in Gaylord. Early frost is already forming across parts of Cheboygan, Alpena, Gaylord, and Mackinac counties, with temperatures expected to drop into the low 20s to upper 20s overnight tonight.
Forecasters say clear skies and calm winds will allow strong overnight cooling, setting up widespread frost and potential hard freezes across the northern Lower Peninsula and eastern Upper Michigan. Inland valleys from Gaylord and Grayling to Rogers City and Sault Ste. Marie could see the coldest readings before sunrise Thursday.
Residents should cover or bring indoors sensitive plants and drain or wrap exposed pipes to avoid freeze damage. Gardeners and farmers are urged to take precautions, as back-to-back cold nights will likely end the growing season for much of northern Michigan.
Motorists traveling along I-75, U.S. 131, and M-32 early Thursday may encounter patchy frost and slick bridge surfaces. The cold will ease slightly by afternoon, with sunny skies and highs in the upper 40s to near 50, but another chilly night is expected Thursday.
Temperatures will rebound slowly heading into the weekend, but clear nights will continue to bring isolated frost in sheltered areas.
