The National Weather Service reports state-wide frigid temperatures and scattered snow over the weekend. Michigan State Police offers advice on staying warm and safe during the bitter cold.
It looks like this is going to be a hot chocolate and movie-marathon type of weekend. The National Weather Service reports winter weather is going to be in full effect, with sub-zero temperatures across the state, and snowfall varying.
Dale George is the public information officer for Michigan State Police. He said it’s best to stay off the roads if possible, but there are safety measures you can take if you have to travel.
“If you do have to travel, know what those road conditions are going to be like, and be prepared for that. Keep a full tank of gas and an emergency preparedness kit in your vehicle, include warm clothing,” he said, “It’s also important to keep a phone charger in your kit. That’s a very good tool to have with you so that you can call emergency services if you do become stranded.”
Sabrina Jauerniac is a forecaster for the National Weather Service’s Gaylord branch. She said communities across the state can expect frigid temperatures, amplified by wind chill.
“Even though we’re only seeing a light wind, maybe five, six, seven miles an hour, that’s going to bring wind chills down to close to thirty degrees below zero in the Sault, and maybe negative-twelve to negative-fifteen closer to the Saginaw Bay.”
Jauerniac said the bitter cold leaves everyone at risk for severe hypothermia, including pets. She said with weather like this, it takes less than thirty minutes for hypothermia to set in.