What's that you're thinking -- a record month for Detroit snowfall (more than 31 inches so far) is nothing to celebrate?
Saturday temperatures are heading south. Don't you wish you were? (WDIV graphic)
Perhaps not, but we like to note any local first-place rankings that have nothing to do with crime, population loss or other unwelcome distinctions.
So for the record: Even with another six days to go, January 2014 trumps January 1978 (29.6 inches) as the whitest first month of the year in National Weather Service records for Detroit.
Overall, about 46 inches have fallen this winter, more than the full season average of 42.7 inches, the Free Press reports.
Snow totals will rise and temperatures will fall in upcoming days, WDIV meteorologist Andrew Humphrey predicts:
The weekend will have more than a one-two punch of snow and cold; more like a one-two-three-four punch.
Saturday night will be frigid with lows near zero and wind chills near -10 or lower. More snow showers will arrive after midnight and stay for the rest of the weekend.
Sunday will be snowy and cold with another 1 to 3 inches by Sunday night. Highs will be in the middle and upper teens Sunday afternoon. Wind chills will be near 0, again.
More whirlpools of arctic air will follow next week. Essentially a third polar vortex will plunge temps and wind chills below zero at night and in the morning and keep daytime highs in the single digits or low teens Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.
In other words, hug someone or something warm and hope that February doesn't set another record.
-- Alan Stamm
