textproduct: Duluth

KEY MESSAGES

- Mostly light snow slowly tapers off today - localized heavier snowfall amounts in eastern Cook County and Iron County.

- Gusty northwest winds develop this afternoon with a brief period of gales on Lake Superior tonight.

- A brief warm-up Monday precedes a messy mix of rain and snow early next week.

- Clippers continue.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 307 AM CST Sat Jan 10 2026

Early this morning, a clipper system is tracking through the region, bringing a swath of light snow to much of the Northland. While most areas will see a general dusting to perhaps 2 inches of fluffy accumulation by sunrise, visibility drops to under a mile at times under the heavier bands. As we move through the daylight hours of today, a cold front will sweep across the area, shifting our winds to the northwest. This shift draws colder air over the relatively warmer waters of Lake Superior, setting the stage for lake effect snow showers to ramp up along the South Shore. Northern Iron and Ashland counties will likely see the most persistent bands this evening, where localized totals could reach 4 to 6 inches by Sunday morning. There is a signal that ice may mix in depressing snowfall amounts. The day shift may need to issue a Winter Weather Advisory for this, but will let them decide on that based on how things evolve today. Also, wanted to mention that there may even be a brief period where a gravity waves tries to set up along the Bayfield Peninsula this afternoon.

For the rest of the area, today will feature lingering clouds, scattered light snow, and breezy conditions as the low's comma- head pinwheels around the area. Northwest winds will increase this afternoon, gusting 25 to 35 mph. This brings a fresh chill to the air compared to the last several days, with high temperatures struggling to reach the lower 20s. Tonight, as skies partially clear inland, temperatures will drop into the single digits and teens. Combined with the steady breeze, wind chill values will dip near or slightly below zero, reminding us that it is actually still winter after all. Right?

Sunday offers a brief respite with quieter weather and seasonable temperatures in the 20s. However, the pattern remains active. Forecast guidance suggests a warm front lifting north on Monday, pushing high temperatures above freezingpotentially into the mid-30s. This thaw will be short-lived as another disturbance arrives Monday night into Tuesday, bringing a wintry mix of rain and snow. We are monitoring this system closely, as the transition from rain to snow could create messy travel conditions for the Tuesday commute before colder air returns midweek. Looks like the South Shore will get some more lake effect snow as this system departs.

More of the same as the La Nina clipper train continues with periodic chances for snow throughout the remainder of the forecast. Nothing of significance though. Some low probabilities for more than 3" of snow on Thursday/Friday.

AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z SUNDAY/

Issued at 1129 AM CST Sat Jan 10 2026

Snow showers continue under a low pressure center in the Northland. Snow will continue to spin in our area into tonight. MVFR conditions will be prominent for the afternoon and evening, but snow showers could lower conditions to IFR. Conditions will rise to VFR late tonight, but INL will have more chances for snow after 18Z Sunday. Gusty winds also continue throughout the day, up to 25 kts.

MARINE /FOR NEARSHORE WATERS OF WESTERN LAKE SUPERIOR/

Issued at 307 AM CST Sat Jan 10 2026

Conditions on Western Lake Superior will deteriorate this afternoon as winds shift to the northwest and increase behind a cold front. Gale Warnings and Small Craft Advisories go into effect at 3 PM CST. Wind gusts of 25 to 30 knots are expected for most nearshore zones. A brief period of gale force gusts up to 40 knots is possible tonight as the cold front crosses, particularly along the North Shore from Taconite Harbor to Grand Portage and along the South Shore east of Sand Island. Waves will build to 3 to 5 feet, with occasional waves up to 7 feet possible along the South Shore. Winds taper down late tonight and then increase again on Sunday, gradually backing to the southwest.

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

DLH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

MN...None. WI...Winter Weather Advisory from 6 PM this evening to 6 AM CST Sunday for WIZ004. MARINE...Small Craft Advisory from 3 PM this afternoon to 4 AM CST Sunday for LSZ121-142>146. Gale Warning from 3 PM this afternoon to 9 PM CST this evening for LSZ140-141. Gale Warning from 3 PM this afternoon to 11 PM CST this evening for LSZ147-148-150.