Latest Duluth Area Text Forecast Discussion product from NWS:
004
FXUS63 KDLH 101743
AFDDLH
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Duluth MN
1143 AM CST Sat Jan 10 2026
.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.
&&
$$
DISCUSSION...Wolfe
AVIATION...KML
MARINE...Wolfe
NWS DLH Office Area Forecast Discussion
