Latest Duluth Area Text Forecast Discussion product from NWS:
692
FXUS63 KDLH 111743
AFDDLH
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Duluth MN
1143 AM CST Wed Feb 11 2026
.KEY MESSAGES...
- Warm temperatures are expected for the rest of the week, with
above freezing temperatures during the day and below freezing
overnight.
- Quiet weather continues through the weekend, with a more
active pattern expected next week.
&&
.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 300 AM CST Wed Feb 11 2026
A secondary trough associated with a clipper system in Ontario
is currently moving out of the Northland. This brought some
light snow to the Arrowhead and parts of northwest Wisconsin
overnight. Any lingering flurries will likely end by late
morning as dry air moves in from the west, and breezy winds will
decrease as well. Behind this system, a broad ridge of high
pressure will build across the region starting this afternoon.
This will lead to a period of very quiet and pleasant weather
for the remainder of the work week with plenty of sunshine and
light winds.
The primary story for the next several days will be the
significant warming trend. We expect high temperatures to
consistently reach the 30s and 40s, which is well above the mid-
February average for northeast Minnesota and northwest
Wisconsin. In fact, some locations in east-central Minnesota or
northwest Wisconsin could approach 50 degrees. While this will
feel like a welcome break from winter, it introduces a daily
freeze-thaw cycle. With daytime highs above freezing and
overnight lows dropping back into the teens and 20s, any melting
snow will refreeze on untreated surfaces like sidewalks,
driveways, and decks. This will create slick spots each morning
even if the main roads remain mostly dry.
Looking toward the weekend, a dry shortwave will cross the area
Saturday and Sunday. While this will bring an increase in cloud
cover, no precipitation is expected to reach the ground.
The weather pattern is slated to become much more active by
Monday and Tuesday of next week. An upper level low moving
across the Rockies will likely spin up a Colorado low pressure
system. This system will tap into Gulf moisture, which is
something we have not seen with the recent train of drier
clippers. While there is still uncertainty regarding the exact
track, this has the potential to be a sizable and impactful storm
system for the region towards the late week. With the current
model data, a surge of warm air ahead of the low may lead
precipitation to start as rain before transitioning to a wintry
mix and eventually heavy snow as the system moves east.
&&
.AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z THURSDAY/...
Issued at 1143 AM CST Wed Feb 11 2026
VFR conditions with light winds expected this afternoon due to
high surface pressure over the region. Look for IFR stratus to
return from the southwest tonight. Warm temps are expected to
moisten the air over central Minnesota. Weak isentropic lift
over central Minnesota this evening will generate clouds near
BRD and will spread north to INL and HIB overnight. Did not
include IFR ceilings in the forecast at this time. Will keep an
eye on trends this afternoon and may introduce them later or
with the 00Z update. DLH may see IFR ceilings, too, although
chances are less than 30%. HYR will also see IFR ceilings
overnight into Thursday morning although those clouds will
develop over NW WI as opposed to spreading north.
&&
.MARINE /FOR NEARSHORE WATERS OF WESTERN LAKE SUPERIOR/...
Issued at 300 AM CST Wed Feb 11 2026
Northwest winds of 10 to 15 knots with gusts to 25 knots will
ease to 5 to 10 knots by late afternoon. Waves will remain 1
foot or less through Thursday night with no significant marine
hazards expected for the next 48 hours under a high pressure
that will last the rest of the work week.
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...None.
&&
$$
DISCUSSION...KML
AVIATION...Huyck
MARINE...KML
NWS DLH Office Area Forecast Discussion
