After the snow, now comes the cold

Interlochen Public Radio | By Ed Ronco

Published January 14, 2024 at 3:45 PM EST

Vehicles slowly make their way down Front Street in Traverse City on Sunday, Jan. 14, after a two-day snow event dumped about a foot on the region. (Photo: Ed Ronco/IPR News) — Vehicles slowly make their way down Front Street in Traverse City on Sunday, Jan. 14, after a two-day snow event dumped about a foot on the region. *(Photo: Ed Ronco/IPR News)*

Temperatures will drop after a blanket of snow hit northern Michigan, canceling events and impairing travel across the region.

Northwest lower Michigan can expect daytime highs between 10 and 15 degrees Fahrenheit on Monday, with overnight lows near zero. It could get even chillier on Tuesday.

“Combined with any wind, it’s going to feel much colder,” said Faith Fredrickson, a meteorologist in the Gaylord office of the National Weather Service. “We do have windchills in the negative teens at times Monday night into Tuesday morning.”

A sign in a storefront window in downtown Traverse City, seen here on Sunday, Jan. 14, notes that they shut off the lights a little early as a winter storm approached heading into the weekend. (Photo: Ed Ronco/IPR News) — A sign in a storefront window in downtown Traverse City, seen here on Sunday, Jan. 14, notes that they shut off the lights a little early as a winter storm approached heading into the weekend. *(Photo: Ed Ronco/IPR News)*

SNOWFALL TOTALS

The weekend snow consisted of two events, Fredrickson said — a low-pressure system that moved through on Friday, followed by lake effect snow on Saturday.

Most of the region saw about a foot of snow build up over Friday and Saturday. But some areas had more. National Weather Service data showed about 16.5 inches in Honor over the course of Friday and Saturday's snow.

Traverse City and Petoskey had about a foot. In Mancelona, a foot of lake effect snow fell just on Saturday, on top of what had already fallen Friday. And to the southeast, West Branch and Hale had some power outages and tree damage from about 15 inches of wet, heavy snow.

Snow is expected to continue to fall for the next few days, with the focus shifting to Charlevoix, Emmet and Cheboygan counties, though accumulation is expected to be less severe than it was over the weekend.

*(Image courtesy of the National Weather Service)*

COLD WEATHER AHEAD

Usually at this time of year, daytime highs are in the upper 20s, with overnight lows in the mid-teens.

“We’re running a fair bit below average for a change, because we’ve actually been above normal for most of the winter so far,” Fredrickson said.

It’s important to be ready for that colder weather.

“Winter’s kind of returned with a vengeance and it’s quite a dramatic change,” Fredrickson said. “People will need to make sure they’re prepared for snowier travel and cold weather. With those wind chills, if you get stranded, that’s going to be not a good situation.”

Beyond just dressing properly, it’s a good idea to keep your vehicle's fuel tank full, make sure your phone is charged and consider having emergency supplies on hand when you travel, including snacks and blankets.