Latest Duluth Area Text Forecast Discussion product from NWS:
812
FXUS63 KDLH 020518
AFDDLH
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Duluth MN
1118 PM CST Thu Jan 1 2026
.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 /06Z TAFS THROUGH 06Z SATURDAY/...
Issued at 1118 PM CST Thu Jan 1 2026
A MVFR cloud deck is steadily slumping southward early this morning
and should be getting out of the BRD and HYR terminals in the next
couple of hours. There are some scattered MVFR decks that could
impact HIB at times through early this morning as well. Otherwise
expect VFR conditions through the rest of the TAF period with mostly
light winds.
&&
.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.
&&
$$
DISCUSSION...KML
AVIATION...Levens
MARINE...KML
NWS DLH Office Area Forecast Discussion
