Metro Detroit is bracing for a significant cold snap, with subzero wind chills expected to persist into Tuesday and dangerously low temperatures arriving later in the week. The National Weather Service has warned that the region may experience its coldest air of the winter season starting Thursday night.
In the southern half of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula, wind chills could dip to as low as 20 degrees below zero, with temperatures forecasted to plummet to minus-12 early Saturday morning. This severe cold has prompted various school districts and Oakland University to announce closures. Schools in Detroit, Dearborn Heights, Ecorse, Harper Woods, Hamtramck, and Monroe will be closed on Tuesday. Oakland University has declared an emergency closure for Tuesday, with plans to reopen Wednesday morning, weather permitting.
The northern part of the Lower Peninsula is expected to suffer even harsher conditions, with wind chills potentially reaching minus-25 and temperatures dropping to 15 degrees below zero. The Upper Peninsula could see highs struggling to reach 0 degrees on Friday.
Weather officials recommend that residents limit outdoor activities during this extreme cold. The National Weather Service urges individuals to avoid exposing any skin to the frigid air if they must go outside.
In Detroit, temperatures are projected at 9 degrees on Friday and 8 degrees on Saturday, with overnight lows of minus-6 and minus-3, respectively. Notably, the city is approaching record low temperatures; the current records for January 23 are a daily high of 6 degrees set in 1883 and a low of minus-12 from 1963. For January 24, the records stand at a high of 4 degrees and a low of minus-13, also set in 1963.
To support vulnerable residents during this cold snap, city warming centers are prepared to assist those in need. The Pope Francis Center on Hancock Street plans to keep its overnight shelter operational from Thursday through the weekend, while the Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries’ emergency shelter has remained open most nights throughout the recent cold streak. Residents can also find warmth during regular library hours at any branch of the Detroit Public Library.
Officials remind the community that warming centers can be located on the websites of Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties for anyone seeking refuge from the chilling temperatures.
As schools announce closures, some districts like the Dearborn Public Schools emphasize the importance of education, stating that while school closures may be necessary during extreme weather, learning remains a priority. This freeze serves as a reminder of the resilience and community support present during challenging winter conditions.