textproduct: Duluth

KEY MESSAGES

- Patchy fog may reduce visibility through the early morning hours northwest of the Iron Range.

- A weak system brings widespread light, fluffy snow tonight into Saturday, with accumulations of a trace to 2 inches with higher amounts in the South Shore snowbelt.

- Colder air returns for the weekend, with breezy conditions likely.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 207 AM CST Fri Jan 9 2026

As a system exits to the east, it is leaving low stratus and possibly fog this morning. Freezing fog may impact portions of the Northland this morning though it is not expected to be as widespread or intense as it has been the last several days. The most likely location for this would be to the northwest of the Iron Range. There is quite the temperature gradient (15F) between Baudette and I-Falls which is fascinating.

Expect a brief lull in the active weather today. Conditions will remain mostly cloudy and cool as winds shift to the northwest. High temperatures will generally hover near freezing or just below. This break will be short-lived, however, as our attention turns to the next weather maker arriving this evening.

A clipper system will dive southeast into the region starting this evening and continuing through Saturday bringing a swath of light, fluffy snow to much of the area. There are some hi-rez model discrepancies on the actual start time of the snow as the low passes directly overhead and the models can't seem to agree on its location. Most locations across northeast Minnesota and northwest Wisconsin can expect a fresh dusting to 2 inches of accumulation by Saturday afternoon. The REFS has a ceiling of around 4" suggesting a local area may see up to that amount if the banding works out just right. Further, locally higher amounts are expected along the South Shore due to lake-effect processes on the backside of the system. Stronger winds will develop behind this system Saturday night, ushering in a colder air mass for Sunday and early next week.

More of the same as the La Nina clipper train continues with periodic chances for snow throughout the remainder of the forecast. The Climate Prediction Center indicates a pattern transition towards colder temperatures for the Upper Midwest as troughing amplifies over the central US. Precipitation chances look to be near to slightly above normal, suggesting continued active weather with clipper systems potentially moving through the flow. Nothing of significance though continuing this innocuous pattern.

AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z SATURDAY/

Issued at 1110 AM CST Fri Jan 9 2026

Low stratus from this morning is clearing at an accelerated rate, leading to VFR conditions. This will be short lived as conditions deteriorate with a small clipper bringing snow showers this evening into tomorrow. Ceilings should mainly remain at MVFR, but IFR conditions are possible where snow showers fall. MVFR ceilings will linger after the system passes into Saturday afternoon.

MARINE /FOR NEARSHORE WATERS OF WESTERN LAKE SUPERIOR/

Issued at 207 AM CST Fri Jan 9 2026

Patchy dense fog is possible this morning across western Lake Superior, particularly along the South Shore. Small Craft Advisories are in effect as northerly winds gust to 25 to 30 kt and build waves to 3 to 5 feet southeast of the Apostle Islands. Looking ahead, a clipper system tonight into Saturday will bring renewed chances for snow and stronger winds. Gales are possible (20 to 40 percent chance) Saturday night, especially along the North Shore and Outer Apostle Islands.

For the open water discussion, refer to the NWS Marquette Area Forecast Discussion at weather.gov/mqt.

DLH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

MN...None. WI...None. MARINE...None.