Over 200 Schools Close Amid Dangerously Cold Temps

DETROIT (WWJ) - Thousands of students in Metro Detroit are getting an early start to the weekend after dangerously cold temperatures forced over 200 schools to close.

Forecasters said temperatures overnight dipped below zero -- but with the wind chill, it felt more like 20 below or even colder. The National Weather Service has issued a Wind Chill Advisory, in effect until noon Friday. Because of the extreme cold, many school districts have cancelled classes.

[SCHOOL CLOSINGS: Check The List]

Even though the sun will be shining Friday, forecasters say the thermometer will struggle to rise above the single digit range. And with that wind chill, it's going to feel more like 15 to 20 degrees below zero throughout the day. In the bitter wind, frostbite can occur in 30 minutes or less. Anyone who has to be outdoors is urged to take precautions.

The cold is sticking around throughout the weekend as well. Forecasters say we could even see about an inch of snow on Saturday.

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

Friday: Partly sunny, bitterly cold. Winds SW at 10 to 20 mph. High 13F.
Friday Night: Mostly cloudy and frigid. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Low 0F.

Saturday: Mostly cloudy and very cold; some afternoon snow with little or no accumulation. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. High 18F.
Saturday Night: Light snow in the evening, around 1 inch. Then remaining cloudy overnight. Winds light and variable. Low 11F.

Sunday: Mostly cloudy and very cold with a chance for a bit of snow or flurries. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. High 23F.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy and frigid. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Low 9F.

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