4Warn Weather – Dangerously cold wind chills continue across Metro Detroit as Arctic air remains in place heading into the weekend.
A Cold Weather Advisory for cold wind chills remains in effect through Saturday morning, but even after the advisory expires, bitter cold will linger across the region.
Wind chills observed Friday morning fell well below zero across many communities.
Pontiac dropped to -26 degrees, Flint to -25 degrees, Howell to -23 degrees, and Port Huron and Troy to -19 degrees for the wind chill.
Those readings reflected what people actually felt when stepping outside early Friday.
Overnight low temperatures will vary across Southeast Michigan, with the coldest readings expected in the Thumb.
Communities such as Lapeer are expected to remain several degrees colder than Metro Detroit, with lows dipping well below zero.
High temperatures this weekend will struggle to recover, reaching only the single digits and teens, with wind chills still capable of falling back toward 10 below at times late Saturday night and early Sunday morning.
Staying safe and recognizing frostbite
Cold this extreme can become dangerous quickly, especially for children, seniors, and pets.
Frostnip, the early stage of frostbite, may cause skin to appear pale or waxy and feel numb or tingly.
Frostbite itself can cause skin to turn white or grayish-yellow, feel hard or rubbery, and lose sensation completely.
Shivering, confusion, and fatigue can be signs of hypothermia.
Frostbite can occur in as little as 10 to 30 minutes in wind chills this cold.
Children should wear multiple layers, including hats and gloves, and pets should be brought indoors.
Anyone spending time outside should cover exposed skin and take frequent breaks in a warm, sheltered area.
Major winter storm disrupting travel
Attention then turns to a major winter storm developing across the country.
The storm is expected to produce heavy snow and ice from the Plains into parts of the Midwest, Mid-Atlantic, and Northeast, creating difficult travel conditions for tens of millions of people.
Those traveling this weekend should be prepared for hazardous road conditions and possible delays across large portions of the eastern United States.
Locally, Southeast Michigan is positioned on the northern edge of this storm system, where accumulating snow is expected on Sunday.
A 4Warn Weather Alert has been declared for widespread accumulating snow, with snowfall beginning late Saturday night and continuing through Sunday night.
Forecast amounts remain subject to some fluctuations depending on the storm’s exact track, but current projections call for several inches of snow across the region.
Higher totals are expected farther south, closer to the Ohio border, while amounts will be lower toward the northern Thumb.
Generally, totals will be 1-3 inches north of I-69, 2-4 inches between I-69 and I-696, and 3-6 inches from near Detroit and southward.
The snow is expected to be light and fluffy due to the cold temperatures, allowing it to accumulate efficiently on untreated surfaces.
Roads are likely to become slick and snow-covered on Sunday afternoon and evening, with reduced visibility at times during steadier snowfall.
Travel impacts may continue into Monday morning, as cleanup efforts will be slowed by the ongoing cold.
Even after the snow moves out, below-normal temperatures are expected to persist into next week.
There is no significant warmup in sight, and occasional light snow chances remain possible.
The combination of dangerous cold and accumulating snow means this weekend will require extra caution.
Download the 4Warn Weather app, monitor forecasts, limit unnecessary travel during snowfall, and take steps now to prepare.
Keeping vehicles winter-ready, checking on vulnerable neighbors, and planning for slower commutes can help reduce risks as Southeast Michigan moves through this stretch of extreme winter weather.
Share your snow photos with Local 4 at MIPics.
Find the latest forecast from the 4Warn Weather team here
Remember to download the free 4Warn weather app -- it’s easily one of the best in the nation. Just search your app store under WDIV, and it’s right there, available for both iPhones and Androids! Or click the appropriate link below.