GRAND RAPIDS, Mich — Today's "feels like" forecast is dangerously cold and we all need to use extra caution before walking out the door. It was the coldest morning for many in West Michigan since February 2021, with Grand Rapids dropping to -5° and Kalamazoo down to -7°. This is without factoring in any wind. Add that to the mix and it was feeling like -10 to -27 degrees.
FORECAST:
We are starting our morning with wind chill values ranging from -10 to -30 degrees, with the coldest air closest to the I-94 corridors. Individuals experiencing wind chill values in the -20 to -30 degree range could potentially develop frostbite in under 30 minutes on exposed skin.
Due to this severe cold, the National Weather Service has issued a Wind Chill Advisory through noon for Ottawa, Kent, Montcalm, Ionia, Allegan and Barry counties. Wind Chill Warnings are in place for Van Buren, Kalamazoo and Calhoun counties. It is advisable for those who can to avoid being outside or to limit the time spent outdoors.
These wind chill values are expected to rise to 0 to -10 degrees by the afternoon, maintaining dangerously cold conditions but not likely meeting alert criteria. This arctic blast of air extends into Wednesday because we finally see single-digit temperatures.
ROADS
Expect roads to remain slippery or even hazardous because salt is nearly ineffective at these frigid temperatures. The chemical makeup of road salt prevents it from adequately melting snow and ice below 15°, compared to when temperatures are in the 20s and 30s. So, while road crews have scraped the snow and ice as best they can, a layer of ice and/or packed snow will persist until temperatures warm back up.
EXTENDED FORECAST
We do have more seasonable temperatures on the horizon. Saturday, Jan. 20 through Wednesday, Jan. 24 calls for near average temperatures and below average precipitation. Average highs are around 30-31° with an average precipitation of 0.40" and average snow of 3.7". Monday, Jan. 22 through Sunday, Jan. 28 calls for above average temperatures and above average precipitation. Average highs are around 30-31° with an average precipitation of 0.53" and average snow of 5.0".
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