Brace yourselves... the colder than average weather that has been in place in Michigan lately isn't going anywhere. In fact, it's going to get even colder and by later this month, January temperatures are expected according to long-term weather forecasts.

MLive Meteorologist Mark Torregrossa says three masses of cold air are headed toward Michigan over the next two weeks. So by the weekend of the 16th & 17th, an early January-type cold could be blanketing the entire state.

The first wave of abnormally cold air comes in Thursday and Friday this week, after a snow and rain system. The second wave of cold is a few degrees colder, and moves through early next week. By the time the third round of cold air comes in late next week, all of Michigan will be frozen and feel like winter. - Meteorologist Mark Torregrossa

Average high temperatures in Michigan during November range from approximately 45 to 50 degrees in the southern half of the Lower Peninsula, 40 to 45 degrees in the northern Lower Peninsula and 35 to 40 degrees in the Upper Peninsula. Average lows in the same respective regions are 30 to 35, 25 to 30 and 20 to 25 degrees. During the upcoming cold blast, temperatures in Michigan are forecast to be up to 20 degrees below average. If you do the math, that could mean some highs only in the 20s and some nights into the teens.

So all this winter like weather will be happening long before the official start to winter. Will things swing back the other way? According to the Farmer's Almanac winter prediction for Michigan, winter will be warmer than normal with above-normal precipitation. The coldest periods will be in early December and early to mid-January, from late January into early February, and in late February. Of course, this forecast is very early, so don't take any of it as gospel. We know how quickly things can change in Michigan.

 

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