Dangerously Cold: Record Low Temps Expected Tuesday

DETROIT (WWJ) - Local hospital emergency rooms are bracing for higher volumes of patients as extreme cold hits Metro Detroit

Southeast Michigan likely won't get much more snow over the next day or two — but it's the record-breaking freezing temperatures that will be the problem, as bitter arctic cold moves in.

A Wind Chill Warning, issued by the National Weather Service, remains in effect until 7 a.m. for the entire Southeast Michigan area.

"This is serious cold outside; you need to be prepared," said AccuWeather Meteorologist Dr. Joe Sobel, who said it will feel as cold as 40 degrees below-zero overnight, with the wind chill.

"By tomorrow morning we're already looking at ten, 12, 14, 15 below zero," Sobel said. "The record low of five below zero tomorrow (Tuesday) morning ought to be shattered."

Hundreds of local schools, already closed on Monday, called off Tuesday classes early due to the frigid forecast.  Wayne State University, Oakland University, and Eastern Michigan will be closed. [COMPLETE SCHOOL CLOSINGS LIST HERE]

Dr. Gerard Martin, head of Emergency Medicine at Henry Ford Health System, urges Metro Detroiters to be smart when it comes to spending time outdoors.

On Monday, Martin said they'd already seen some shoveling-related cases — and, unfortunately, cases of frostbite were expected to increase.

"(We've seen) back aches, a few chest pain patients," he said. "Not too much with regards to frostbite, frost-nip —but I think we're going to see more of that in the coming days as people get out, try to get rid of the snow, and the temperatures really drop."

Frostbite can start in fewer than 30 minutes so limit your outdoor time, said Martin said; and if you suspect you have frostbite, you should get medical help ASAP.

Here's the detailed forecast from the CBS Detroit weather team: 

Monday Night: Mostly cloudy. Low -11F. RealFeel -44F. Winds WSW at 20 to 30 mph.

Tuesday: Intervals of clouds and sunshine. High -1F. Winds SW at 20 to 30 mph.
Tuesday Night: A few clouds. Low -2F.  RealFeel -26F. Winds SW at 10 to 20 mph.

Wednesday: Some sun in the morning with increasing clouds during the afternoon. High around 15F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday Night: A few clouds. Low around 0F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph.

Thursday: Partly cloudy skies in the morning, giving way to cloudy skies during the afternoon. High 21F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday Night: Cloudy with light snow. Low 17F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of snow 40%.

Friday: Cloudy. High 36F. Winds S at 10 to 15 mph.
Friday Night: Steady light rain in the evening. Showers continuing late. Low 34F. Winds SSW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 90%.

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