Dangerously cold temperatures are expected to invade Michigan in the next day or two, dropping our daytime temperatures well below normal levels and creating subzero wind chills in some areas.
This Arctic blast is expected to be the first of three such cold snaps to hit us over the next few weeks – and it’s all due to a change in the polar vortex situation, meteorologists said. This allows much colder air that typically stays well north of us to filter into Michigan.
Snow is also coming with this cold front. For most of us, it won’t snow much. But for the eastern Upper Peninsula, up to a foot of snow could accumulate by Thursday, the National Weather Service in Marquette said. They issued a winter storm warning for Chippewa County today. It will remain in effect until 1 p.m. Thursday.
In addition to heavy snowfall, this area could experience wind gusts up to 35 mph, which could cause travel issues.
“Visibility may drop below 1/4 mile due to snowfall and blowing snow,” the winter storm warning states. “Travel may be very difficult. Hazardous conditions may impact travel on Thursday morning.”
Here are forecast highlights from the National Weather Service offices in Michigan:
A winter storm warning is in effect for northern Chippewa County in Michigan’s eastern Upper Peninsula from 1 p.m. Wednesday to 1 p.m. Thursday, with 6 to 12 inches of snow possible and locally higher amounts.
Dangerous wind chills of five to 10 degrees below zero are expected across the state Wednesday night into Thursday morning as arctic air moves into Michigan.
The National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory for other parts of the eastern Upper Peninsula, where 3 to 7 inches of lake-effect snow is expected through Thursday morning. A cold front moving in Wednesday afternoon and evening will bring widespread light snow accumulations of 1 to 2 inches to much of lower Michigan, with the heaviest snow bands concentrated in the Upper Peninsula where northwest winds will lead to intense lake effect off Lake Superior.
Northwest winds gusting to 35 mph will create blowing and drifting snow, significantly reducing visibility during Thursday morning travel in the eastern Upper Peninsula. The combination of snowfall and extreme cold will sometimes produce near blinding conditions. High temperatures Thursday will only reach the lower to mid teens in the Upper Peninsula and temperatures below 20 degrees in Lower Michigan, about 20 degrees below normal for early December.
Long-range forecasts show little relief from the cold regime until next week. Several weak weather systems will bring chances for light snow Friday night, again Sunday and potentially Monday night, although accumulations are expected to stay under an inch in each event.
This cold snap represents the coldest start to December in decades for Michigan, with temperatures well below normal. This trend is expected to continue at least through the middle of next week, with no significant warming trend in sight.
