LOCAL

Lansing could set cold temperature record Tuesday

Carol Thompson
Lansing State Journal

LANSING — The Lansing area is in for an unseasonable spate of wintry weather this week, National Weather Service meteorologists said.

About four inches of snow had fallen in Lansing by mid-afternoon Monday, with some parts of the region seeing larger totals, the weather service said. A spotter in the Jackson area reported a total of nine inches, the agency said.

The snow is going to stick around through the week, National Weather Service meteorologist Brian Meade said. 

The Eckert Power Station seen Monday, Nov. 11, 2019.

That's thanks to the record-setting cold temperatures expected to hit the Lansing area. 

Tuesday's temperatures could set records, Meade said. Forecasts show the high temperature will be 24 degrees. The record low high for Nov. 12 was set in 1995, when the area had a high of 29 degrees.

"This is pretty darn unusual to get this cold this early," Meade said. Early November temperatures usually hover in the mid-40s. 

The temperature is expected to drop to 8 degrees overnight Tuesday. Wind chill factors are expected to be in the low single digits on Tuesday and Wednesday nights, prompting the weather service to urge that people wear hats and gloves and cover all exposed skin when they go outside.

Wind chills also could near zero degrees both Tuesday and Wednesday mornings. Frostbite could set in within 30 minutes, according to the weather service. 

"With the snow on the ground it will probably help it get even colder than that," Meade said. "There also could be record lows on Tuesday night, I imagine."

Mid-Michigan remains under a winter weather advisory through 7 p.m.

Meteorologists warned drivers to drive slow, as snow and freezing temperatures will keep roadways slick throughout morning and evening commutes. 

Lake effect snow will continue into Tuesday evening, impacting mostly the corridor along U.S. 31. Some areas could see more than a foot of snow accumulate through Tuesday. Other regions of Michigan, particularly the Thumb, could see accumulations of around 20 inches.

There is a chance of snow showers later this week. Expected sun and temperatures in the mid-30s should melt the snow by the end of the week, Meade said.

A man shovels a sidewalk  Monday, Nov. 11, 2019, in front of the Rally's on Martin Luther King Blvd.

RELATED: 20 inches of snow is now forecast for the Thumb, 4-6" for metro Detroit

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Contact Carol Thompson at (517) 377-1018 or ckthompson@lsj.com. Follow her on Twitter @thompsoncarolk.