textproduct: Duluth

KEY MESSAGES

- Lingering snow showers will continue across the Northland today resulting in occasional drops in visibility.

- A series of fast-moving weather systems will bring multiple chances for light snow through the weekend and into early next week.

- A warming trend begins this weekend with temperatures likely reaching near the freezing mark by Monday and Tuesday.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 210 PM CST Thu Jan 1 2026

Snow showers are continuing across much of the Northland this afternoon and have proven to be more widespread than initially forecast. Even in areas where there is no significant weather system moving through, the atmosphere is currently saturated in a prime layer for snow growth, allowing flakes to form and fall easily. While the heaviest snow is now shifting into northwest Wisconsin, flurries remain common throughout northeast Minnesota. Drivers should be prepared for fluctuating visibility and slippery spots through the evening hours.

As we move into tonight, the cloud cover will finally begin to diminish, which will lead to another cold night under an arctic air mass. In the interior Arrowhead and southern Cook County, localized wind chills are expected to reach as low as 30 degrees below zero. Friday will offer a break from the snow with partly to mostly sunny skies, but the cold will remain with high temperatures only reaching the single digits for many areas and the low teens in the south.

The active pattern continues with a train of clipper systems through the upcoming week. The next weak system is expected late Friday night into Saturday morning. Recent trends indicate these systems often produce more widespread snow showers than predicted under these weak clipper systems, so would not be surprised for more widespread light snow/flurries as we get closer. By Saturday, we will start to feel a shift in the air as temperatures climb into the teens and lower 20s. We expect to finally break out of the current northwest flow pattern by Saturday night.

A more significant system will approach from the Northern Plains late Sunday into Monday morning. Unlike the previous clippers, this system will have more access to moisture from the Gulf, which could result in higher snow accumulations depending on its final track. Global models suggest a warm nose behind the main area of precipitation, which could lead to a wintry mix on the back side of the system. This will be followed by much warmer air, with high temperatures reaching the lower 30s by Monday. Another weak system may follow Tuesday into Wednesday, though the track is still uncertain.

We are keeping an eye on a potentially more impactful storm late next week, though confidence in that system remains low at this time due to track discrepancies in the global models.

AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z SATURDAY/

Issued at 521 PM CST Thu Jan 1 2026

Areas of light snow continue to propagate over the region this evening with pockets of MVFR ceilings. These snow showers are expected to taper off as we head into the overnight hours. Satellite shows an expansive stratus deck still upstream but heights with this cloud deck are VFR. With the cold air mass still in place this may lead to some sporadic flurries. Cloud cover is expected to slowly decrease through tomorrow with surface high pressure moving into the Upper Midwest.

MARINE /FOR NEARSHORE WATERS OF WESTERN LAKE SUPERIOR/

Issued at 210 PM CST Thu Jan 1 2026

A Small Craft Advisory remains in effect through Friday evening for the Outer Apostle Islands and the North Shore from Grand Portage to Taconite Harbor. West winds of 15 to 20 knots will gust up to 30 knots tonight. Waves will range from 2 to 5 feet, with occasional heights up to 7 feet in the Apostles. Conditions will subside by Friday night as a high pressure moves into the area. Light showers along the South Shore should come to an end tonight as dry air moves in.

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...Small Craft Advisory until 8 PM CST Friday for LSZ140-141-150.