DETROIT (WWJ) -- Another polar blast is moving into Michigan, making for a frigid and blustery weekend in Metro Detroit.
The National Weather Service has issued a Cold Weather Advisory covering all of Southeast Michigan. It goes into effect at 1 a.m. Friday and lasts until 10 a.m. Saturday.
Very cold wind chills as low as 15 to 25° below zero are expected on Friday and Saturday, the weather service says.
WWJ AccuWeather Meteorologist Brian Thompson's advice is to bundle up now, as it will be much colder outside beginning Thursday — feeling like the single digits — along with some flurries and a snow shower or two.
For the Thursday PM commute, Thompson noted: "Any heavier snow shower can produce poor visibility and slick travel conditions."
The coldest conditions are expected between 4 a.m. and 10 a.m. Friday, although wind chills will remain well below zero through the day Friday and into Saturday morning, according to forecasters.
The dangerously cold wind chills as low as 25 below zero could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 30 minutes. Frostbite and hypothermia will occur if unprotected skin is exposed to these temperatures.
The Detroit Zoo says it will be closed on Friday and Saturday due to the cold, with plans to reopen Sunday — depending on the weather.
To stay safe during this extreme cold, MSP/EMHSD recommends the following:
Limit time outdoors. If you must go outside, wear several layers of warm clothing and watch for signs of frostbite or hypothermia.
Frostbite symptoms: Numbness, loss of feeling, pale or waxy skin, especially on the face, fingers, and toes.
Hypothermia symptoms: Shivering, exhaustion, confusion, slurred speech, or drowsiness.
Prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. Use generators and grills only outdoors and away from windows. Never use a gas stovetop or oven to heat your home.
Avoid overexertion. Shoveling snow can put extra strain on your heart, so take it easy and avoid sudden bursts of activity.
Check on others. Older adults, young children, and pets are especially vulnerable to extreme cold and should be checked on regularly. Keep pets indoors.
Prepare for travel emergencies. If you must drive, ensure your gas tank is full and your vehicle is stocked with an emergency kit, including warm clothing, blankets, gloves, hats, and a phone charger. If you become stranded, stay with your vehicle and wait for help rather than attempting to walk in the cold.
And please care for our furry friends: Remember to keep pets indoors as much as possible.
As for snow this weekend: AccuWeather is keeping an eye on a storm expected to arrive in Metro Detroit for Saturday night and Sunday, with up to 4 inches of fresh accumulation expected.
AccuWeather says Chicago and Detroit will be on the northern fringe of the storm, with other areas of the U.S. getting hit much harder.
Forecasters predict 12 to 18 inches of snow for other major cities including New York City, Boston, and Philadelphia through Monday. And interior regions like Syracuse and Binghamton, New York, could potentially even more than that.
Related
Get more daily forecast details from AccuWeather HERE.
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