textproduct: Duluth

KEY MESSAGES

- Scattered light snow showers continue to affect the Northland today. Minimal accumulations expected.

- Colder than average temperatures expected again today. Overnight low temperatures will be in the 20s and low 30s through the week.

- Occasional and slight precipitation chances for the remainder of the forecast period, with low precipitation amounts.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 339 AM CDT Wed May 6 2026

Stratus settled over the Northland tonight, with a few scattered light snow showers moving from southern Ontario across the Arrowhead. The cloud cover has kept temperatures warmer than expected, with most of the area still in the 30s. Where clearing has occurred, temps are in the upper 20s. Expect the cloud cover to hang around through at least the early morning hours, which will keep temperatures in the upper 20s and 30s around sunrise.

Northwesterly flow remains active today, with another weak impulse rotating southeastward into the Northland this morning. With strong low level lapse rates, expect scattered light snow showers this morning with light rain/snow showers this afternoon. With good low level mixing, northwest winds will be breezy again. There is some indication that drier air spreads into the area tonight, which would allow for some clearing and better cooling. Lows tonight will be in the 20s areawide.

Thursday and Friday will mark the beginning of a gradual warming trend as high pressure slowly pushes east of the area and winds become southwesterly. Highs by Friday will be in the mid 50s to mid 60s. We should also have more sunshine by Friday, with a drying trend contributing to minimum RH values in the 25 to 30 percent range. That, combined with the lack of significant rainfall this week will lead to elevated fire weather concerns for Friday.

The persistent cyclonic northwest flow at the upper levels over the region continues through the weekend. A shortwave will dive through the region Friday night, which should bring a chance for showers overnight. Saturday will be slightly cooler than Friday and a few lingering rain shower chances. Cooler temperatures are expected for Sunday, with highs only in the upper 40s and 50s, as a fresh shot of cold air moves in from the north. There may be additional small precipitation chances as well, depending on whether moisture is left over the area as another shortwave moves through southern Ontario.

Early next week the upper level cyclonic flow shifts east, allowing warmer temperatures to push back into the area, pushing temperatures near to above normal. There may also be some intermittent precipitation chances as shortwaves move through the upper level flow.

AVIATION /12Z TAFS THROUGH 12Z THURSDAY/

Issued at 637 AM CDT Wed May 6 2026

Widespread low-end VFR stratus deck moves over the area today. The stripe of clear skies over the Twin Ports to parts of northwest WI is not expected to last long so kept a more pessimistic forecast at KDLH terminals for the time being. Embedded flurries in the Arrowhead and Iron Range areas last through the next few hours, but the eastward push has allowed the previous VCSH to be removed with this issuance. Expect another period of sprinkles and flurries from vicinity showers possible again after 17Z today...but not enough confidence to place any mentions in the TAFs at this point. Light northwest winds forecast to gust around 20 knots today before quickly becoming calm around sunset this evening and into the overnight hours.

MARINE /FOR NEARSHORE WATERS OF WESTERN LAKE SUPERIOR/

Issued at 339 AM CDT Wed May 6 2026

Northwest winds persist through the morning and back to the southwest this afternoon, remaining at 5-15kts. Gusts to 20kts are most likely from Grand Marais to Grand Portage. Winds subside tonight, and remain southwesterly Thursday at 5-15kts.

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

FIRE WEATHER

Issued at 339 AM CDT Wed May 6 2026

Temperatures remain cool today, with partly to mostly cloudy skies, and scattered light precipitation. Northwest winds could gust to 20mph this afternoon, with minimum RH values remaining above 30 percent. Warmer and drier conditions are expected to develop for Thursday and Friday, and while winds winds will generally be 5 to 10 mph Thursday, they are expected to strengthen for Friday and we may experience near- critical fire weather conditions.

See the Fire Weather Forecast product for a more thorough breakdown of fire weather conditions.

DLH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

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