Bundle up West Michigan! Monday, January 21 will be sunny and cold. Highs will only reach the mid teens during the day.
If that doesn't sound like a reason to stay indoors, wind chills will remain dangerously low all day.
The cold temperatures prompted more than 100 schools and businesses to close Monday. You can find a full list here.
Michigan State Police want to make sure you stay safe during the extreme cold.
"Extremely cold temperatures can be hazardous and potentially life-threatening," said Capt. Emmitt McGowan, deputy state director of Emergency Management and Homeland Security and commander of the Michigan State Police, Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division (MSP/EMHSD).
"We are asking that Michiganders monitor their local weather reports and follow the appropriate steps to stay safe during this cold spell."
To stay safe during cold weather:
- Stay inside if possible. But, if you must go outside, protect yourself with a hat, mittens, a scarf and warm coat.
- Watch for signs of frostbite:loss of feeling or pale appearance of fingers, toes or face.
- Watch for signs of hypothermia, which include uncontrollable shivering, memory loss, drowsiness and exhaustion.
- Understand the hazards of wind chill. As wind speed increases, heat is carried away from the body faster and could lead to severe hypothermia.
- Remove clothing if it gets wet. Wet clothing can make you more prone to hypothermia.
- Weatherproof doors and windows to trap heat inside your home.
- Check heating units. Poorly operating or damaged heating units can release carbon monoxide gas.
- Test carbon monoxide detectors for proper operation and battery life.
- Check on family, friends and neighbors who are at risk and may need additional assistance.
- Watch pets closely and keep them indoors when possible. Animals can suffer from hypothermia and frostbite as well.
- Keep a full tank of gas and an emergency preparedness kit in your vehicle. Put warm clothes, a blanket and a cell phone charger in your kit.
Tonight will turn partly cloudy with lows in the single digits above zero with south winds at 6-12 mph. Wind chills will be below zero.
Check with 13 ON YOUR SIDE for the latest weather updates.
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