GRAND RAPIDS (WKZO) — A series of winter blasts are lining up to keep west Michigan in the deep freeze for the next week, maybe longer. Wind out of the north could bring sunshine and some of the coldest temperatures of this season to the region.
National Weather Service Meteorlogist Evan Webb in Grand Rapids says this pattern is so cold that it can’t hold moisture of its own, but it will kick-up Lake Effect snow.
That’s what it did overnight.
The nickname for this kind of winter blast is a Siberian Express, even though it does not originate in eastern Russia. This one is blowing straight out of the polar regions in northern Canada.
Webb says we could be looking at 5 to 10 below early Sunday morning with wind chill factors ten to 20 degrees below that.
It only seems like it’s been winter forever. The Michigan Public Service Commission says we are just over halfway through the heating season, and given the severity of this particular winter, It may be dragging more and more families into debt trying to cover their heating bills.
The Michigan Public Service commission says help is available at 2-1-1
Spokesperson Judy Palnau says they have set aside 89-million for feul assistance and the utilities have funds and programs they can direct you to.
The recent news that a Vietnam Vet in Hazel Park froze to death in his own home because he couldn’t pay his bills, and didn’t seek help illustrates the need.
