Get your winter coats ready, Detroiters—snowflakes might make their first appearance this week! But while temperatures are set to dip, the area isn’t expected to hit the freezing mark just yet. Whenever that first freeze does arrive, it will officially become the latest first freeze recorded in 150 years at the metro Detroit official recording site.
The current record for the latest first freeze in Detroit stands at November 15, a date reached in both 1915 and 1946, according to meteorologists at the National Weather Service in White Lake. As we edge past that date this year, we’re on track to set a new record.
While many areas in southeast Michigan have already experienced freezing temperatures—dipping to 32 degrees Fahrenheit or lower—the official recording sites at Detroit Metropolitan Airport in Romulus and Detroit City Airport have not.
The official recording site for Detroit has changed locations over the past 150 years to ensure the most accurate and representative data:
- Pre-1934: Various sites in downtown Detroit.
- 1934 to 1966: Detroit City Airport.
- 1966 to Present: Detroit Metropolitan Airport in Romulus.
These moves account for the urban heat island effect, where urban areas retain more heat, potentially skewing temperature readings.
This Week’s Weather Outlook
Tuesday and Wednesday
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Expect drizzly conditions with temperatures holding steady in the 50s. It’s a typical November mix of overcast skies and intermittent rain—nothing unusual.
Thursday and Friday
Here’s where things get interesting. Thursday is the most likely day for those first snowflakes, though some variables are at play. Temperatures are expected to hover around the freezing mark in the mornings, creating the perfect conditions for a light snowfall.
Preparing for the Cold: Remember the 4 P’s
As temperatures approach freezing, it’s important to take precautions to protect yourself and your pets, plants, and property. Remember the 4 P’s: People, Pets, Plants, and Pipes.
1. People
- Health Risks: Prolonged exposure to freezing temperatures can be hazardous.
- Dress Warmly: If you’re heading outdoors, layer up with a heavy coat, hat, gloves, and a scarf.
- Limit Time Outside: Avoid your time outdoors during the coldest parts of the day.
2. Pets
- Bring Them Indoors: Pets, like humans, are vulnerable to the cold.
- Provide Shelter: If they must stay outside, ensure they have a warm, dry shelter out of the wind.
- Quick Walks: Limit the length of walks to prevent overexposure.
3. Plants
- Protect Sensitive Plants: Some plants can’t handle temperatures in the 30s.
- Bring Them Inside: Move potted plants indoors if possible.
- Cover Them Up: Use frost cloths or blankets to protect in-ground plants.
4. Pipes
- Insulate Exposed Pipes: Wrap pipes in insulation or blankets to prevent freezing.
- Know the Difference: This isn’t a hard freeze (which is 28°F or below), but precautions can save you from costly repairs.
- Future Preparations: In case of a hard freeze, you’ll need to take additional steps like dripping faucets to prevent pipe bursts.
Extra Tips for the Cold Snap:
- Allow Extra Travel Time: Frost will likely form on car windows and windshields.
- Defrost and Scrape: You may need to spend a few minutes defrosting or scraping off ice before hitting the road.
- Safety First: Ensure all your windows are clear for optimal visibility.
Stay Informed:
- Weather Updates: Monitor local weather forecasts for the latest updates.
- Emergency Kits: Consider having a winter emergency kit in your car, including items like blankets, a flashlight, and extra gloves.
While the first freeze is delayed, winter is undoubtedly on its way. This week’s potential snowfall serves as a gentle reminder to start preparing for the colder months ahead.
So, Detroit, are you ready to embrace the season’s first snowflakes? Whether you’re excited about the possibility of a winter wonderland or dreading the chilly mornings, one thing is certain: it’s time to dust off those winter boots and get ready for whatever Mother Nature has in store.
