Latest Duluth Area Text Forecast Discussion product from NWS:
850
FXUS63 KDLH 292330
AFDDLH
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Duluth MN
530 PM CST Thu Jan 29 2026
.KEY MESSAGES...
- Dangerous wind chills of 25 to 35 degrees below zero return
tonight. A Cold Weather Advisory is in effect starting at 9 PM
for much of northeast Minnesota.
- Lake effect snow will impact the South Shore of Lake Superior
tonight into Friday morning.
- A clipper system brings widespread light snow to the Northland
late Saturday night through Sunday with snow accumulations of
1 to 2 inches.
- Temperatures will begin a warming trend this weekend,
moderating closer to seasonal averages by early next week.
&&
.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 213 PM CST Thu Jan 29 2026
For the rest of this afternoon, scattered flurries and light
snow showers will continue to drift across the region. Any fresh
snow accumulation will be minimal, generally amounting to a
dusting on grassy surfaces. As a weak weather system departs
this evening, forecast guidance suggests high pressure will
build into the area, allowing skies to clear rapidly across
northern Minnesota. This clearing, combined with a fresh arctic
airmass, will cause temperatures to plummet overnight. Actual
air temperatures are forecast to drop between 15 and 25 degrees
below zero inland. When combined with a steady northerly breeze,
wind chills will fall into the dangerous 25 to 35 below zero
range. A Cold Weather Advisory is in effect starting at 9 PM
tonight and running through 11 AM Friday for much of northeast
Minnesota.
While inland areas shiver under clear skies, the north winds flowing
over the relatively warmer waters of Lake Superior will generate lake
effect snow showers along the South Shore tonight. Areas from
Bayfield to Iron County can expect 1 to 2 inches of fluffy snow,
with locally higher amounts possible if a dominant band sets up over
northern Douglas or Bayfield counties. Visibility will be
reduced in these snow showers.
Sunshine returns for most of the area on Friday, though it will
remain quite cold with highs struggling to reach single digits above
zero. We begin to turn the corner on Saturday as winds shift to the
southwest, starting a gradual warming trend. By Sunday, a new
weather system arrives from the northwest. This clipper is expected
to bring a widespread swath of light snow to the entire Northland.
Light snow will likely begin in north-central Minnesota late
Saturday night and spread eastward through the day Sunday. While not
a major storm, enough snow may fall to coat roads and create slick
spots before the system exits Sunday evening.
Looking into early next week, temperatures will feel balmy with
high temperatures climbing into the 20s, which is much closer
to normal for early February. Another weak disturbance may bring
minor chances for light snow or flurries around Tuesday, but no
significant winter storms are currently on the horizon for the
first half of the work week. Model guidance diverges enough
afterwards with the Northland in a baroclinic zone that any
confidence in waves diminishes significantly.
&&
.AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z SATURDAY/...
Issued at 530 PM CST Thu Jan 29 2026
Scattered to broken MVFR ceilings are pivoting across the Northland
this evening. Cloud cover is largely expected to disperse and return
to VFR overnight as surface high pressure moves in from the North.
Ongoing lake effect snow showers for the South Shore may bring some
lower ceilings and light snow into HYR later tonight.
&&
.MARINE /FOR NEARSHORE WATERS OF WESTERN LAKE SUPERIOR/...
Issued at 213 PM CST Thu Jan 29 2026
Strong north winds will develop this evening across western
Lake Superior. Gusts up to 25 knots will build waves to 2 to 5
feet, particularly along the South Shore from Port Wing to Saxon
Harbor. Some freezing spray is likely near Outer Island due to
the very cold air temperatures. Winds and waves will gradually
subside late Friday morning as high pressure builds in.
For the open water discussion, refer to the NWS Marquette Area
Forecast Discussion at weather.gov/mqt.
&&
.DLH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
MN...Cold Weather Advisory from 9 PM this evening to 11 AM CST
Friday for MNZ010>012-018>021-025-026-033>038.
WI...None.
MARINE...Small Craft Advisory until 10 AM CST Friday for LSZ140-141-146-
148-150.
Cold Weather Advisory from 9 PM this evening to 11 AM CST
Friday for LSZ142.
&&
$$
DISCUSSION...Wolfe
AVIATION...Britt
MARINE...Wolfe
NWS DLH Office Area Forecast Discussion
