Old Man Winter Deals Metro Detroiters a Dose of Reality

Freezing temperatures Monday had metro Detroiters bundling up at the ice skating rink, along the riverfront and at the bus stop.

"It definitely is cold," said Jennifer Strawsine.

Monday, temperatures took a nose dive dipping into the twenties, but with the wind it felt much, much colder -- a harsh reality after a mild start to the season.

"Last week it was very nice and warm. I loved it," said Steve Utrup. "I woke up this morning, it's too darn cold out."

"It cuts to the bone. It's not nice," said Larry Medina, who is visiting from California.

Sunday, it was fierce winds causing most of the problems -- knocking out power and toppling a tree onto the porch of Shirley Davis' Detroit home and her car. A day later, it's still there because she's waiting for someone with the City of Detroit to get it removed, but city offices are closed until Wednesday.

The bitter cold is expected to stick around through the start of the week, but when you grow up in Michigan, you learn to deal with the harsh winter weather.

"Lives go on, right? You get used to Michigan weather," said James Whitehead.

"I'm from Detroit. [We're] used to this," said Wayne Strong.

"It's Michigan. It happens every year. It gets cold," Strawsine told us.

Here's the problem. So many people feel they can handle this weather, but it only takes minutes for frostbite to set in. Anytime you start to feel a prickling sensation or a freezing sensation, your fingers turn red, you want to get inside as soon as possible.

Also, don't forget about those furry friends. This is no night for them to be outside.