Extreme Cold/Wind Chill — Leelanau, Michigan

2026-01-22 to 2026-01-24 · Leelanau, Michigan

Event narrative

Apparent temperature as low as -27F on the early morning of the 23rd near Maple City in central Leelanau county; similar apparent temperatures along the coast near Glen Arbor and near Omena in the northern portion of the peninsula.

Wider weather episode

Anomalous cold air settled into the eastern US for late January, with the coldest period for the Upper Great Lakes from the night of Jan 22nd through the morning of the 24th. Actual air temperatures struggling to break 0 degrees Fahrenheit, combined with winds gusting as high as 15-25mph at times, resulted in extreme cold apparent temperatures of -15 to -25F, and -25 to -35F during the overnight hours on the 22nd into the 23rd, and the 23rd into the 24th. The 23rd into the 24th was the coldest of the two nights. Strong gusty winds and some snowfall resulted in significant blowing and drifting snow, reducing visibilities to whiteout conditions at times.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1317318. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.