textproduct: Duluth

KEY MESSAGES

- A strong cold front Friday afternoon and evening will bring the potential for localized snow squalls in far northern Minnesota.

- Strong winds are expected Friday afternoon to early overnight when gusts of 30 to 45 mph are expected. Gusts to 60 mph on the North Shore Friday evening are possible.

- Rapidly falling temperatures Friday evening could lead to a flash freeze on wet roadways.

- Light snowfall of less than one inch is expected late tonight into Thursday morning, followed by a brief period of light freezing drizzle mainly in the Arrowhead.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 104 PM CST Wed Feb 25 2026

Below normal temperatures will continue today and tonight. A warm front arrives tonight, spreading a band of light snow across the Northland. Most areas will see less than an inch of accumulation through Thursday morning. As the front passes, temperatures will warm significantly on Thursday, reaching the mid 30s to lower 40s. However, lingering moisture in the Arrowhead may create a period of light freezing drizzle or mist late Thursday morning and afternoon, potentially leaving a thin glaze of ice on elevated surfaces.

The most impactful weather arrives Friday. A low pressure system moving through Manitoba and Ontario will drag a stout cold front through the Northland. Ahead of the front, temperatures will warm into the 40s for many locations. As the front cross over the region Friday afternoon, localized snow squalls may (20-40% chance) develop, especially from the Iron Range to North Shore and northward. These bursts of heavy snow can reduce visibility to less than one quarter mile over very short distances and lead to very hazardous travel conditions. Southwesterly winds will quick shift westerly and increase in speed behind the front, then further shift to northwesterly. The strongest gusts, potentially reaching 60 mph, are forecast for the North Shore. Elsewhere, expect gusts of 35 to 45 mph. Temperatures will rapidly decrease Friday night, which may lead to a flash freeze on roadways of any snowmelt to freeze rapidly.

Much colder air settle in for the weekend with highs only in the from 8 to 18 F on Saturday. Expect wind chills from -10 to -25 F Friday night as the cold settles in and combines with lingering gusty winds. Even under calm winds Saturday night, the air temperatures will still lead to seasonably very cold conditions. Air temperatures of -10 to -20 F are forecast north of US Hwy 2 and -5 to -10 F south of US Hwy 2. Sunday remains below normal for temperatures, but not to the extent of Saturday. Another gradual warming trend begins early next week.

AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z THURSDAY/

Issued at 1115 AM CST Wed Feb 25 2026

Outside of MVFR ceilings along the South Shore, VFR conditions are largely expected through the daylight hours today. Going into this evening, a warm front lifts across the area late tonight into Thursday morning. This will bring a period of very light snowfall to most terminals. A few hour period of IFR visibility within the heaviest snowfall in far northern Minnesota along and north of US Hwy 2. After most snowfall exits the area tomorrow, a few hour period of mist/drizzle may occur in the Arrowhead and potentially affect KDLH and KHIB for a few hours after 12Z Thurs. Winds become southwesterly post warm frontal passage Thursday daytime.

MARINE /FOR NEARSHORE WATERS OF WESTERN LAKE SUPERIOR/

Issued at 1243 PM CST Wed Feb 25 2026

Westerly winds today 20 knots or less back to southwesterly Thursday, but remain similar speeds. Conditions begin to change Friday morning ahead of quick passing cold front Friday afternoon. Gale and Storm Watches are in effect for Friday afternoon through Friday night. Southwest winds 15 to 25 knots Thursday night will shift northwest and increase notably Friday evening. Storm force gusts to 50 knots are possible near Taconite Harbor and northward, with gales to 40 knots elsewhere. Waves will build to 3 to 6 feet. Heavy Freezing Spray is also very likely Friday afternoon into Friday night with future Warnings likely being needed.

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

DLH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

MN...High Wind Watch from Friday afternoon through late Friday night for MNZ020-021. WI...None. MARINE...Storm Watch from Friday afternoon through late Friday night for LSZ140-141. Gale Watch from Friday afternoon through late Friday night for LSZ142>146-150.