textproduct: Duluth

KEY MESSAGES

- Light snow lingers through the midday, with light mist possibly mixed in (~10%). Slippery conditions are expected wherever snow falls, particularly in the Arrowhead and northwest Wisconsin.

- Another system will move through and bring lighter, fluffier snow accumulations in the Arrowhead and northwest Wisconsin Friday into Saturday.

- Colder temperatures arrive late this weekend, and an active pattern continues into next week.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 410 AM CST Thu Feb 19 2026

The powerful low pressure system that brought blizzard conditions to the region on Wednesday is currently centered over western Lake Superior as it gradually exits to the northeast. While the most intense conditions have subsided, moisture wrapping around the back side of the system continues to produce impactful weather. Reinvigorated snow showers along the North Shore are currently resulting in moderate snowfall rates of up to a half inch per hour and low visibilities. Through the rest of today, most areas along the shore can expect an additional 1 to 3 inches of snow. However, the tip of the Arrowhead remains the focus for significant totals. In the highest terrain, the combination of lake effect enhancement and orographic lift-where moisture is forced upward by the rising land-could result in up to 7 inches of additional accumulation. Farther west, scattered snow showers may reach the Iron Range this afternoon, but any additional accumulations in those areas will remain under two inches.

As this first system moves out, a secondary Colorado low is forecast to track across the Midwest Friday and Saturday. Model trends have shifted the path of this system further to the south and east, which will keep the heaviest snowfall totals well away from the Northland. However, northwest Wisconsin and the Arrowhead will still see periods of snow where cold air advection and a border of convergence develops over the area. This system will be notably different from the previous storm in terms of snow quality. Colder air moving in will lead to higher snow-to-liquid ratios, likely in the 10-to-1 to 15-to-1 range. This means the snow will be much lighter and fluffier than the wet, heavy snow seen earlier in the week. Most locations can expect 3 inches or less, but localized lake enhancement and terrain lift in northern Iron County may lead to higher totals of up to 6 inches.

By Sunday, a weak short wave will move through the northwest flow aloft. This feature, combined with cold air advection, will trigger scattered snow showers across the Northland. The extent of these showers is still somewhat uncertain and will depend on how much moisture remains available in the atmosphere. Behind this wave, a much colder Canadian air mass will settle over the region for the start of the work week, bringing a return to sub-zero wind chills in the overnight hours. Temperatures are expected to warm slightly toward the middle of next week under a mid level warm air mass ahead of the next clipper. While this system may bring further chances for snow, it currently appears to be a minor event with uncertainty remaining between different weather models regarding its exact track and timing.

AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z FRIDAY/

Issued at 1157 AM CST Thu Feb 19 2026

MVFR ceilings largely prevail with some patches of VFR ceilings. Expect overall MVFR ceilings and possibly some IFR ceilings overnight as low pressure very slowly moves off to the north. Areas of snow showers will persist, mostly at DLH/HYR and possibly INL, through this afternoon, but tapering off this evening. Some MVFR visibilities can be expected at these snow showers at times. Winds are expected to gradually switch to northwesterly tonight into Friday, and some breezy conditions are possible at BRD/HYR/DLH by Friday morning as low pressure departs.

MARINE /FOR NEARSHORE WATERS OF WESTERN LAKE SUPERIOR/

Issued at 410 AM CST Thu Feb 19 2026

Hazardous conditions for small craft will continue through Thursday afternoon as winds decrease and waves slowly subside. Winds will slowly shift to the northwest by Friday with gusts occasionally reaching 20 knots. Visibility will be periodically reduced through Saturday due to ongoing snow showers.

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 noon CST today for MNZ012-020- 021-037. WI...Winter Weather Advisory until noon CST today for WIZ001>004. MARINE...Small Craft Advisory until 10 PM CST this evening for LSZ140- 141. Winter Weather Advisory until noon CST today for LSZ142.