Michigan Could See Its Coldest Nights Since 2019

The coldest temperatures in at least seven years are expected to invade Michigan this weekend.

How Cold Will It Get Across Michigan?

Forecasts vary, but the weather community is in agreement that virtually all of the Mitten State will plunge well below zero Friday night into Saturday morning — into the double digits below zero in some cases.

Extreme Cold Watches and Wind Chill Warnings

Extreme Cold Watches have been issued from late Thursday night through early Saturday morning for much of the state, with warnings that wind chills could dip as low as -25. Experts warn that even a short period of skin exposure in these conditions could result in hypothermia and/or frostbite.

Cities Expected to Drop Into the Double Digits Below Zero

The National Weather Service projects actual air temperatures on Friday night to drop as low as -10 in Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Battle Creek and Flint, and -11 in Lansing. The comparatively warmer water temperatures should allow many communities right along the shore of Lake Michigan to remain slightly above zero.

READ MORE: Michigan Could Stay Below Freezing for Weeks

How to Protect Your Home From Frozen Pipes

Even insulated pipes can freeze when temperatures drop this low. A few things you can do to reduce your risk of frozen pipes include letting your faucet drip slowly overnight, and opening any cabinet doors that happen to be under sinks against exterior walls — this will allow your home heat to help keep the pipes from freezing. Make sure exposed outdoor pipes are well insulated.

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The last time Lansing saw temperatures of -10 or lower was in January of 2019, when three different nights saw lows of -14, according to WILX News 10 Chief Meteorologist Darrin Rockcole.

Long-range forecasts don't show any real relief from the cold for Michigan. AccuWeather is currently only projecting 4 days in February that the temperatures will briefly rise above freezing.