MARQUETTE — It was bound to happen at some point.

The Marquette County area has been hit with a few snowstorms recently, but now is when you can expect particularly cold weather.

Proof of that came on Sunday and Monday with subzero temperatures. For instance, Sunday’s low temperature of 2 degrees below zero was 10 degrees lower than the normal temperature for that date, according to the National Weather Service in Negaunee Township.

The frigid temperatures are to be expected, said local NWS meteorologist Jordan Wendt.

“Typically, January is our coldest month, and that often comes with kind of these Arctic outbreaks,” Wendt said.

An Arctic cold front, he noted, passed through the region on Saturday night, bringing in chilly Canadian air.

“Pretty typical for January,” Wendt said.

The average temperature Monday at the National Weather Service office in Negaunee Township was 3 degrees below zero, 18 degrees below normal for the date. The high Monday was 2 degrees and the overnight low was 8 degrees below zero.

Will this chilly air stay in the area for the next few days?

Today, warmer air from the west was expected to move into the region.

“It’ll be a little back closer to normal,” Wendt said. “Still on the chilly side, but not below zero anymore.”

The NWS forecast called for the high temperature today to be 23 degrees, with a low of 16 degrees. However, wind chill values are expected to be between 5 and 15 degrees below zero during the day.

Wendt expected winds to decrease in the coming days, and any snow that comes will be on the light side and primarily only in the lake-effect areas.

Wendt, though, had a suggestion for motorists driving in the cold weather.

“Be careful out on the roads,” Wendt said. “Salt isn’t really effective at temperatures this cold, so it may take some time for the roads to clear up.”

Christie Mastric can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 250. Her email address is cbleck@miningjournal.net.