textproduct: Duluth

KEY MESSAGES

- Dangerous wind chills of 25 to 35 degrees below zero return tonight. A Cold Weather Advisory is in effect starting at 9 PM for much of northeast Minnesota.

- Lake effect snow will impact the South Shore of Lake Superior tonight into Friday morning.

- A clipper system brings widespread light snow to the Northland late Saturday night through Sunday with snow accumulations of 1 to 2 inches.

- Temperatures will begin a warming trend this weekend, moderating closer to seasonal averages by early next week.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 213 PM CST Thu Jan 29 2026

For the rest of this afternoon, scattered flurries and light snow showers will continue to drift across the region. Any fresh snow accumulation will be minimal, generally amounting to a dusting on grassy surfaces. As a weak weather system departs this evening, forecast guidance suggests high pressure will build into the area, allowing skies to clear rapidly across northern Minnesota. This clearing, combined with a fresh arctic airmass, will cause temperatures to plummet overnight. Actual air temperatures are forecast to drop between 15 and 25 degrees below zero inland. When combined with a steady northerly breeze, wind chills will fall into the dangerous 25 to 35 below zero range. A Cold Weather Advisory is in effect starting at 9 PM tonight and running through 11 AM Friday for much of northeast Minnesota.

While inland areas shiver under clear skies, the north winds flowing over the relatively warmer waters of Lake Superior will generate lake effect snow showers along the South Shore tonight. Areas from Bayfield to Iron County can expect 1 to 2 inches of fluffy snow, with locally higher amounts possible if a dominant band sets up over northern Douglas or Bayfield counties. Visibility will be reduced in these snow showers.

Sunshine returns for most of the area on Friday, though it will remain quite cold with highs struggling to reach single digits above zero. We begin to turn the corner on Saturday as winds shift to the southwest, starting a gradual warming trend. By Sunday, a new weather system arrives from the northwest. This clipper is expected to bring a widespread swath of light snow to the entire Northland. Light snow will likely begin in north-central Minnesota late Saturday night and spread eastward through the day Sunday. While not a major storm, enough snow may fall to coat roads and create slick spots before the system exits Sunday evening.

Looking into early next week, temperatures will feel balmy with high temperatures climbing into the 20s, which is much closer to normal for early February. Another weak disturbance may bring minor chances for light snow or flurries around Tuesday, but no significant winter storms are currently on the horizon for the first half of the work week. Model guidance diverges enough afterwards with the Northland in a baroclinic zone that any confidence in waves diminishes significantly.

AVIATION /06Z TAFS THROUGH 06Z SATURDAY/

Issued at 1140 PM CST Thu Jan 29 2026

Lake effect snowfall along the South Shore will create prolonged MVFR ceilings and periods of IFR visibility for those area terminals through much of this TAF period. Coverage will decrease though from 15 to 21Z today, ending last after this TAF period in northern Iron County. MVFR ceilings are also coming off the Big Lake on northeasterly flow into the Twin Ports and south of the Iron Range, with these ceilings being expected through 12Z this morning. After sky cover is likely to clear out from 12 to 16Z today, diurnal daytime cumulus will form later today. These afternoon clouds could reach as low as high-end MVFR, especially in the Arrowhead and far northern Minnesota.

MARINE /FOR NEARSHORE WATERS OF WESTERN LAKE SUPERIOR/

Issued at 213 PM CST Thu Jan 29 2026

Strong north winds will develop this evening across western Lake Superior. Gusts up to 25 knots will build waves to 2 to 5 feet, particularly along the South Shore from Port Wing to Saxon Harbor. Some freezing spray is likely near Outer Island due to the very cold air temperatures. Winds and waves will gradually subside late Friday morning as high pressure builds in.

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

DLH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

MN...Cold Weather Advisory until 11 AM CST Friday for MNZ010>012- 018>021-025-026-033>038. WI...None. MARINE...Small Craft Advisory until 10 AM CST Friday for LSZ140-141-146- 148-150. Cold Weather Advisory until 11 AM CST Friday for LSZ142.