Latest Duluth Area Text Forecast Discussion product from NWS:
551
FXUS63 KDLH 091139
AFDDLH
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Duluth MN
639 AM CDT Mon Mar 9 2026
.KEY MESSAGES...
- Up to several inches of snow possible tonight through
Wednesday morning, highest over northwest Wisconsin.
- A strong, quick-hitting clipper system is possible Thursday
afternoon into Friday and could bring more snow and a
rain/snow mix to the Northland.
- More snow is possible Saturday and Sunday, as the active
pattern continues.
&&
.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 256 AM CDT Mon Mar 9 2026
A clipper system is moving through the Northland this morning,
with most of its associated showers now east of the area and the
cold front approaching Western Lake Superior. Will see colder
air spread southward today, keeping high temperatures in the 30s
along the Iron Range and northward, with breezy northwest
winds. The cold front will stall in a west to east orientation
across the area late today, as the shortwave pulls off to the
east and mid level flow becomes more zonal.
Tonight, a surface low will move out of the northern Rockies and
slowly pivot through the Plains toward the Mid Mississippi
River Valley. A upper jet strengthens over the northern Plains
and noses eastward, with a band of mid level forcing developing
along the stalled front over the Northland. A band of light to
moderate snowfall is expected near and north of this boundary,
roughly south of the US-2 corridor eastward into northwest WI.
This is a slight southern shift from previous forecasts,
limiting accumulations in the Twin Ports and along the North
Shore to around one half inch or less. Best amounts will be
across northwest WI, where 1 to 2 inches is possible tonight. If
the front stalls further to the north, this band of snowfall
could also shift back to the north.
For Tuesday, longwave troughing deepens to our west, picking up
the Central Plains surface low and ejecting it toward the Ohio
River Valley. An active baroclinic zone remains over the
Northland, with a mid level shortwave forcing continued snowfall
over portions of the area. With northeasterly flow off the
lake, and drier air north of the Iron Range, better
precipitation chances will be across northwest WI, where another
2-3 inches is possible Tuesday night. Total for the Mon- Wed
timeframe looks to be 1-5 inches over much of northwest WI, and
will need to consider an advisory for tomorrow into Wednesday.
Expect a break in the precipitation for Wednesday as drier air
and high pressure briefly build over the area. Southerly flow
returns by Thursday morning as the next quick-hitting, but
strong, clipper approaches the area. There remains some
uncertainty on strength and track of the surface low through the
area Thursday night into Friday, but if southeasterly flow
strengthens ahead of the low, could see lake enhancement along
the North Shore, pushing snow totals to warning criteria for
this event. With warm advection ahead of the surface low, could
see a rain snow mix Thursday afternoon across the southern half
of the forecast area. This will also depend on the track of the
low and if that warm nose makes it into the area.
Another system arrives for the weekend, with another round of
snow Saturday and Sunday for the Northland. Although there is
uncertainty on track and strength, it does look like this
surface low will be further snow, putting the Northland on the
cold, snowy side of the system.
&&
.AVIATION /12Z TAFS THROUGH 12Z TUESDAY/...
Issued at 634 AM CDT Mon Mar 9 2026
An area of MVFR stratus has spread across most of northeast MN
this morning behind a cold front. Additionally, winds have
increased from the northwest at most terminals, with gusts up to
25kts. At HYR, west winds will turn to the northwest in by mid
morning. MVFR cigs will improve through the morning, as winds
diminish.
Tonight, another wave will bring MVFR cigs and light snow in a
band from BRD to HIB and DLH.
&&
.MARINE /FOR NEARSHORE WATERS OF WESTERN LAKE SUPERIOR/...
Issued at 256 AM CDT Mon Mar 9 2026
Strong southwest winds continue this morning with gusts to
around 25 kt. Small Craft Advisories are in effect. Winds turn
to the northwest this afternoon as a cold front passes through,
and decrease below 20 kt through the afternoon. Winds switch to
northeasterly early Tuesday morning, with another system
passing through that could bring a bit of light snow. Gusts up
to around 20 kt, maybe locally higher. Winds remain
northeasterly through Wednesday.
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 noon CDT today for LSZ140-141.
Small Craft Advisory until 10 AM CDT this morning for LSZ142-
147-150.
Small Craft Advisory until 7 AM CDT this morning for
LSZ143>146-148.
&&
$$
DISCUSSION...HA
AVIATION...HA
MARINE...HA
NWS DLH Office Area Forecast Discussion
