Just when you were hoping it couldn’t get any colder than it has already been this week, the National Weather Service office in Northwest Indiana says not only will it get colder, it will be downright frigid as we celebrate New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. Additionally, they tell us some counties along the Lake Michigan shoreline run the risk of additional snow accumulations throughout the weekend as well.
While there are no current watches or warnings in effect — or even projected — the National Weather Service folks say that snow will overspread the region today with another round of snow on Friday. They note that while snow amounts will be light with 1 to 2 inches possible by late in the day Friday, lake effect snow will persist through the weekend and accumulations will be higher in the counties along Lake Michigan.
Some map projections show portions of northern Berrien County could accumulate 4 to 6 inches of snow between today and Monday, with snowfall amounts potentially reaching 6 to 8 inches in the Coloma and Watervliet areas over that same period and projections of up to a foot of snow as close by as around Holland in that time frame.
Of deeper concern for personal safety involving those who need to be outdoors for extended periods of time, the National Weather Service says 2018 will start out bitterly cold as yet another arctic blast plunges overnight temperatures to below zero on New Year’s Eve. Dangerously cold wind chills are expected throughout the weekend ahead, especially during the late night and early morning hours.
Authorities continue to encourage use of carbon monoxide detectors in weather conditions such as these, and also the safety and protection of pets who should be allowed indoors or well-cared-for with housing, straw, fresh water and food when they have to be outdoors at any time.
The NWS graphic shows windchills will head below zero in many situations, so we are all being cautioned to wear several layers of clothing, protect skin surfaces as much as possible, limit exposure to the elements, keep an eye on pets and elder relatives and neighbors, and keep track of the potential for water pipes to freeze up.
Michigan State University’s Breslin Center where the Spartans are slated to play as soon as tomorrow found the hazards of unprotected pipes in frigid conditions as water pipes there burst early today causing extensive flooding threats.
