textproduct: Duluth

KEY MESSAGES

- Light snow showers and mixed precipitation will move into the region from the northwest this afternoon and evening, potentially creating slick spots Friday morning.

- A messy wintry system will arrive this weekend, with all precipitation types on the table. A glaze of ice is possible where the freeze line sets up and 1 to 4 inches along and north of Highway 2.

- An active weather pattern and a roller coaster of temperatures will continue into next week, bringing additional chances for messy wintry precipitation.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 240 PM CDT Thu Mar 19 2026

For the rest of the day, light snow showers currently located in southeast Manitoba will make their way southeast across the International Border. As this precipitation arrives this afternoon and evening, expect a variety of precipitation types. A warm nose aloft will support mixed precipitation, with the depth of the surface freezing layer dictating whether we see snow, ice pellets, or freezing rain. If surface temperatures stay above freezing, this will simply fall as rain. If freezing rain does occur, a light glaze of ice could lead to slippery conditions on elevated or untreated surfaces. Widespread fog, some locally dense, is expected to develop tonight due to increased surface moisture from ongoing snowmelt and southerly breezes.

Fog may linger into Friday morning before scattering out. We will see a brief lull in the weather during the day Friday, with high temperatures climbing into the upper 40s to low 50s depending on how quickly the morning clouds and fog can clear. A more complex and disorganized system will arrive over the weekend.

Placement of precipitation types with the Saturday system remains uncertain, though global models generally position the freezing line somewhere in the Iron Range and Borderlands. All types of precipitation are expected with this weekend system. Showers will start as rain for most locations on Saturday before transitioning to a wintry mix and snow overnight. Amounts will heavily depend on exactly when and where the precipitation changes over. Those who see mostly snow will have the greatest accumulations, generally totaling an inch or two. However, isolated snow amounts up to four inches are possible along the North Shore terrain due to orographic enhancement. A period of light freezing rain is also possible in the vicinity of wherever the freeze line eventually lands, which could lead to a hazardous glaze of ice.

High temperatures on Sunday will be relatively cool, hovering much closer to freezing than this past week. Temperatures will rebound and increase again early next week. The overall active weather pattern will continue next week as well, bringing more chances for messy, wintry precipitation to the Northland.

AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z SATURDAY/

Issued at 658 PM CDT Thu Mar 19 2026

VFR conditions currently prevail but southerly flow tonight will lead to increasing moisture and the development of MVFR to IFR stratus. Some fog is also expected to develop with IFR to LIFR visibilities at DLH, HIB and HYR. Surface winds will generally be under 10 knots, but a low level jet will lead to low level winds shear this evening. Overall confidence on the fog at HIB and HYR is a bit lower with not much support from the models. However, conditions will be favorable for the development of fog.

MARINE /FOR NEARSHORE WATERS OF WESTERN LAKE SUPERIOR/

Issued at 240 PM CDT Thu Mar 19 2026

East to southeast winds around 5 to 10 knots will persist this afternoon before veering southwest tonight. A marine fog threat exists tonight as moist air moves over the colder lake waters, which could drop visibilities below 1 nautical mile in some areas. Winds become westerly around 5 to 10 knots on Friday. A stronger low pressure system arrives Saturday, bringing building waves and strengthening northeasterly winds that may become hazardous to small craft.

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.