Winter Storm and Extreme Cold in Michigan, January 21 to 24, 2026

Name: Winter Storm and Extreme Cold in Michigan, January 21 to 24, 2026
Start: 2026-01-21T18:00
End: 2026-01-24T12:00
Location: Michigan

January 21 to 24, 2026 · NWS APX · 30 events in 27 counties and zones

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 30 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.

Tornadoes
Tropical storms and surge
Floods
Wind
Hail
Winter weather
Heat and drought
Cold
Fire, smoke and dust
Marine and coastal
Other

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths: 0
Injuries: 0
Property damage: None recorded
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 30

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

What happened

The episode as NWS APX wrote it up.

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.

The radar

The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

24 extreme cold/wind chill, 4 winter storm, 2 cold/wind chill. Local standard time, as filed.

Winter Storm, Antrim

When: January 21, 6:00 PM EST to January 23, 7:25 PM EST
Where: Antrim forecast zone
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 45.007, -85.176 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

US-131 closed between Alba and M-32 due to whiteout conditions.

Winter Storm, Otsego

When: January 21, 6:00 PM EST to January 23, 7:25 PM EST
Where: Otsego forecast zone
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 45.021, -84.599 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Dickerson Rd in Gaylord closed between Van Tyle Rd and O'Rourke Blvd near the airport due to whiteout conditions.

Winter Storm, Charlevoix County

When: January 21, 6:00 PM EST to January 23, 7:00 PM EST
Where: Charlevoix County forecast zone
Reported by: Department of Highways
Coordinates: 45.267, -85.240 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

M-75 in the village of Walloon was closed between S. Shore Drive to the General Store, due to high winds and blowing snow making the road impassable. Roadway reopened by 745am on the 23rd.

Winter Storm, Eastern Mackinac County

When: January 22, 12:00 AM EST to January 24, 12:00 PM EST
Where: Eastern Mackinac County forecast zone
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 45.872, -84.762 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Emergency Manager reported US-2 was closed between St. Ignace and Brevort, with significant blowing and drifting along with lake effect snow, resulting in multiple accidents and impassible roadways. Photos from US-2 cleanup show drifts as deep or deeper than the implements used to clear the roadway. Roadway reopened 637pm January 25th. Wind chills as low as -25F were reported in the area.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Presque Isle

When: January 22, 9:00 PM EST to January 24, 11:00 AM EST
Where: Presque Isle forecast zone
Reported by: AWOS
Coordinates: 45.398, -83.843 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Apparent temperature as cold as -26F at AWOS station KPZQ Presque Isle County Airport in Rogers City, MI.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Mackinac Island/Bois Blanc Island

When: January 22, 10:00 PM EST to January 24, 11:00 AM EST
Where: Mackinac Island/Bois Blanc Island forecast zone
Reported by: AWOS
Coordinates: 45.872, -84.762 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Apparent temperatures at KMCD, Mackinac Island AWOS, as low as -34F on the night of the 22nd-23rd.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Emmet

When: January 22, 10:00 PM EST to January 24, 11:00 AM EST
Where: Emmet forecast zone
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 45.588, -84.981 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Apparent temperatures below -25F on the night of the 22nd to 23rd, and dropping as low as -28F at Pellston Regional Airport during the early morning hours on the 23rd.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Cheboygan

When: January 22, 10:00 PM EST to January 24, 11:00 AM EST
Where: Cheboygan forecast zone
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 45.473, -84.492 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Apparent temperatures below -25F on the night of the 22nd to 23rd, dropping as low as -31F at Michigan DOT station near Wolverine on the night of the 23rd into the 24th.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Charlevoix County

When: January 22, 10:00 PM EST to January 24, 11:00 AM EST
Where: Charlevoix County forecast zone
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 45.267, -85.240 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Apparent temperatures as low as -25F during the very early morning of the 23rd at Michigan DOT site on US-31 south near Charlevoix.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Antrim

When: January 22, 10:00 PM EST to January 24, 11:00 AM EST
Where: Antrim forecast zone
Reported by: Department of Highways
Coordinates: 45.007, -85.176 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Apparent temperatures as low as -26F at Michigan DOT site near Elmira.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Otsego

When: January 22, 10:00 PM EST to January 24, 11:00 AM EST
Where: Otsego forecast zone
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 45.021, -84.599 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Apparent temperatures as low as -26F at Gaylord Regional Airport.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Montmorency

When: January 22, 10:00 PM EST to January 24, 11:00 AM EST
Where: Montmorency forecast zone
Reported by: RAWS
Coordinates: 45.028, -84.127 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Apparent temperature of -26F at RAWS station near Atlanta, MI on the morning of the 23rd, dropping as low as -31F during the overnight hours on the 23rd into the 24th.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Alpena

When: January 22, 10:00 PM EST to January 24, 11:00 AM EST
Where: Alpena forecast zone
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 45.064, -83.460 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Apparent temperature of -25F at mesonet station near Lachine, MI in central Alpena county.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Leelanau

When: January 22, 10:00 PM EST to January 24, 11:00 AM EST
Where: Leelanau forecast zone
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 45.152, -86.038 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

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.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Benzie

When: January 22, 10:00 PM EST to January 24, 11:00 AM EST
Where: Benzie forecast zone
Reported by: AWOS
Coordinates: 44.617, -86.139 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Apparent temperature of -26F at AWOS station KFKS Frankfort-Dow Memorial Airport in Frankfort, MI.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Grand Traverse

When: January 22, 10:00 PM EST to January 24, 11:00 AM EST
Where: Grand Traverse forecast zone
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 44.716, -85.552 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Apparent temperature of -25F at Traverse City Cherry Capital Airport in Traverse City, MI.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Kalkaska

When: January 22, 10:00 PM EST to January 24, 11:00 AM EST
Where: Kalkaska forecast zone
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 44.685, -85.090 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Apparent temperature of -25F at mesonet station near Kalkaska, MI, with reports elsewhere in Kalkaska county as low as -38F during the daytime on the 23rd.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Crawford

When: January 22, 10:00 PM EST to January 24, 11:00 AM EST
Where: Crawford forecast zone
Reported by: AWOS
Coordinates: 44.684, -84.610 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Apparent temperature of -26F on the morning of the 23rd at Grayling Army Airfield, bottoming out as low as -27F here on the morning of the 24th.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Oscoda

When: January 22, 10:00 PM EST to January 24, 11:00 AM EST
Where: Oscoda forecast zone
Reported by: RAWS
Coordinates: 44.682, -84.130 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Apparent temperature of -28F on the morning of the 23rd at RAWS site near Mio, bottoming out as low as -34F on the morning of the 24th.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Alcona

When: January 22, 10:00 PM EST to January 24, 11:00 AM EST
Where: Alcona forecast zone
Reported by: AWOS
Coordinates: 44.712, -83.344 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Apparent temperature of -27F on the morning of the 24th at AWOS station KOSC Oscoda Wurtsmith Airport in Oscoda, MI.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Manistee

When: January 22, 10:00 PM EST to January 24, 11:00 AM EST
Where: Manistee forecast zone
Reported by: AWOS
Coordinates: 44.238, -86.288 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Apparent temperature of -27F on the morning of the 23rd at KMBL, Manistee-Blacker Airport, in Manistee, MI. A run-water notice was issued on the 23rd for Filer Township near Manistee.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Wexford

When: January 22, 10:00 PM EST to January 24, 11:00 AM EST
Where: Wexford forecast zone
Reported by: AWOS
Coordinates: 44.338, -85.578 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Apparent temperature as cold as -28F at AWOS station KCAD, Wexford County Airport on the 23rd, with a coldest reading of -44F at 02:15am on the 24th. Lowest actual air temperature was -31F at KCAD on the morning of the 24th.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Roscommon

When: January 22, 10:00 PM EST to January 24, 11:00 AM EST
Where: Roscommon forecast zone
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 44.336, -84.612 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Apparent temperature as cold as -30F on the morning of the 23rd at Roscommon County/Blodgett Memorial Airport on the northeast side of Houghton Lake, MI.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Ogemaw

When: January 22, 10:00 PM EST to January 24, 11:00 AM EST
Where: Ogemaw forecast zone
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 44.335, -84.126 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Apparent temperatures near West Branch, MI as low as -26F on the morning of the the 23rd, and -28F on the morning of the 24th.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Iosco

When: January 22, 10:00 PM EST to January 24, 11:00 AM EST
Where: Iosco forecast zone
Reported by: RAWS
Coordinates: 44.301, -83.514 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Apparent temperature of -29F on the morning of the 23rd at RAWS site near Silver Creek, MI in central Iosco county. Coldest apparent temperature of -30F occurred at 08:30.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Arenac

When: January 22, 10:00 PM EST to January 24, 11:00 AM EST
Where: Arenac forecast zone
Reported by: RAWS
Coordinates: 44.043, -83.747 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Apparent temperature of -26F on the morning of the 23rd at RAWS site near Alger, MI in Arenac county.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Beaver Island

When: January 22, 10:00 PM EST to January 24, 11:00 AM EST
Where: Beaver Island forecast zone
Reported by: AWOS
Coordinates: 45.267, -85.240 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Apparent temperature of -25F on the morning of the 23rd at AWOS site KSJX, Beaver Island Airport.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill, Missaukee

When: January 22, 10:00 PM EST to January 24, 11:00 AM EST
Where: Missaukee forecast zone
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 44.337, -85.095 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Apparent temperature of -29F near Vogel Center in south central Missaukee County on the morning of the 23rd.

Cold/Wind Chill, Western Chippewa County

When: January 22, 10:00 PM EST to January 24, 11:00 AM EST
Where: Western Chippewa County forecast zone
Reported by: C-MAN Station
Coordinates: 46.328, -84.529 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

NWS-maintained equipment at Point Iroquois light reported a wind chill as low as -26F.

Cold/Wind Chill, Central Chippewa County

When: January 22, 10:00 PM EST to January 24, 11:00 AM EST
Where: Central Chippewa County forecast zone
Reported by: AWOS
Coordinates: 46.328, -84.529 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Chippewa County International Airport in Kinross, MI reported a minimum apparent temperature of -26F.

What these are

Winter Storm: A storm that brought snow, sleet or freezing rain at warning levels, usually over several hours or days.
Extreme Cold/Wind Chill: Temperatures or wind chills at or below the local warning criteria, or cold that caused deaths.
Cold/Wind Chill: Cold or wind chill below warning criteria that caused deaths, injuries or damage.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Michigan in 2026 Every state in 2026 This day in weather history Warnings in Michigan, January 2026

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 1317340, 1317342, 1317343, 1317338, 1317305, 1317295, 1317297, 1317300, 1317309, 1317311, 1317312, 1317316, 1317317, 1317318, 1317319, 1317320, 1317322, 1317323, 1317324, 1317325, 1317326, 1317327, 1317329, 1317330, 1317331, 1317332, 1317333, 1317334, 1317349, 1317350.