textproduct: Duluth

KEY MESSAGES

- Ongoing winter storm is bringing heavy snow and will create high winds across the Northland today into early Monday morning.

- Highest snow accumulations of 6 to 10 inches are expected from Pine County eastward across Northwest Wisconsin, with totals of 14 to 18 inches possible in the Iron County snowbelt.

- Blizzard conditions are expected late this evening into late tonight along parts of the South Shore, particularly along Highway 2 east of the city of Ashland.

- North winds gusting up to 60 mph in Southern Cook County may cause power outages and downed trees tonight through Monday afternoon.

- Colder temperatures are expected into the week with a chance for some light snow accumulations Tuesday.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 233 PM CST Sun Dec 28 2025

A major winter storm is currently impacting the region and will continue through Monday morning. The storm center is rapidly deepening as it moves toward the Great Lakes, resulting in a sharp gradient in snowfall totals across the forecast area. While much of Northeast Minnesota north of the Iron Range has seen a decrease in expected snow, impacts remain for the Twin Ports, I-35 corridor, and especially Northwest Wisconsin. Peak snowfall rates are expected now through this evening in Minnesota. In northwest Wisconsin, snowfall rates ranging from 1 to 1.5 inches per hour will linger from now through the early overnight hours. When these high snowfall rates are combined with the incoming gusty winds, Blizzard conditions remain expected in northern Ashland and Iron Counties later this evening and into the overnight hours. The storm system will end fairly quickly late this evening from northwest to southeast in Minnesota and overnight in northwest Wisconsin. Expect lingering winter storm conditions along the South Shore into the dawn hours Monday morning.

This evening, as the storm begins to slowly pull away into the Lower Lakes and high pressure moves into the area, a tightened pressure gradient will see north to northwest winds ramping up significantly this evening. Wind gusts between 40 and 50 mph will be common across the region. Expect periods of blowing snow downwind of lakes, fields and along shoreline areas. Southern Cook County is under a High Wind Warning for gusts up to 60 mph, which could lead to localized power outages and falling tree limbs. A Wind Advisory also remains in effect for southern Cook County where still gusty, but slightly less strong winds are likely tonight.

A cooler pattern begins tonight behind the departing storm system. Wind chill values will drop to between 10 and 20 below zero. After a brief warm up Tuesday, the next weak clipper system brings light snow accumulations on Tuesday. Right now snowfall for Tuesday morning hours favor a half to two inches for most locations.

High temperatures in the single digits above zero to low temperatures down to 20 below zero setup for Wednesday into the end of the week as mainly dry weather is forecast. Temperatures return closer to normal for next weekend.

AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z TUESDAY/

Issued at 529 PM CST Sun Dec 28 2025

Ongoing winter storm over the Northland with snow shifting south and east through the forecast period. This system will push off to the east later tomorrow morning with snowfall expected to taper off through the evening and overnight hours. As the system departs we will see a strong surge of northwest winds with gusts in excess of 30 kts. These winds will gradually decrease tomorrow afternoon. MVFR/IFR ceilings currently over the region will also slowly improve through tomorrow morning and afternoon as the system moves off to the east.

MARINE

Issued at 146 PM CST Sun Dec 28 2025

Extremely dangerous conditions are developing for Western Lake Superior. North to northwest gales of 35 to 45 knots are expected tonight and Monday. A Storm Warning is in effect for the North Shore from Grand Portage to Grand Marais for gusts up to 55 knots. Large waves up to 12 feet will impact the Apostle Islands. A Heavy Freezing Spray Warning is also in effect for most waters as rapid ice accumulation on vessels is expected. Winds slowly decrease Monday afternoon and evening. As the next clipper approaches the region Tuesday, expect another round of conditions hazardous to small craft from elevated westerly winds to 25 knots.

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

DLH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

MN...Winter Weather Advisory until 3 AM CST Monday for MNZ020-025- 033>037. Wind Advisory from 9 PM this evening to 3 PM CST Monday for MNZ020. High Wind Warning from 9 PM this evening to 3 PM CST Monday for MNZ021. Winter Storm Warning until 3 AM CST Monday for MNZ038. WI...Winter Storm Warning until 3 AM CST Monday for WIZ006-007. Winter Storm Warning until 6 AM CST Monday for WIZ001-002. Blizzard Warning until noon CST Monday for WIZ003-004. Winter Storm Warning until 9 AM CST Monday for WIZ008-009. MARINE...Gale Warning until 9 PM CST Monday for LSZ121-141>148-150. Storm Warning until 9 PM CST Monday for LSZ140. Heavy Freezing Spray Warning from 9 PM this evening to 9 PM CST Monday for LSZ140-145>148-150. Winter Weather Advisory until 3 AM CST Monday for LSZ142. Wind Advisory from 9 PM this evening to 3 PM CST Monday for LSZ142.