Latest Duluth Area Text Forecast Discussion product from NWS:
010
FXUS63 KDLH 010545
AFDDLH
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Duluth MN
1145 PM CST Sat Jan 31 2026
.KEY MESSAGES...
- Widespread light snow moves across the Northland tonight and
Sunday, bringing total accumulations of 1 to 3 inches for most
areas.
- Gusty southerly winds up to 30 mph tonight will create areas of
blowing snow and reduced visibility, especially in open areas.
- Hazardous conditions for small craft are expected on western
Lake Superior starting tonight due to southwest winds gusting
to 30 kt.
&&
.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 229 PM CST Sat Jan 31 2026
Sunny skies and dry conditions will continue the rest of this
afternoon across the Northland as high pressure slowly exits to
our southeast. Expect temperatures to hold steady in the mid to
upper teens and even some low 20s through the remainder of the
daylight hours with south winds occasionally gusting to 20 mph.
A fast-moving clipper, will approach from the northwest this
evening. Cloud cover will rapidly increase from west to east
after sunset. Snow is forecast to begin in north-central
Minnesota around or shortly after midnight, spreading across the
rest of the region through the early morning hours on Sunday.
While overall amounts remain light, a period of moderate
snowfall rates are possible before sunrise, which could lead to
a quick inch of accumulation. The snow will continue through
much of the morning on Sunday before tapering off from west to
east during the afternoon and evening. Total snow accumulations
will generally range from 1 to 2 inches, though localized spots
in north-central Minnesota could see up to 3 or 4 inches. South
winds will remain gusty through Sunday morning, shifting to the
northwest and weakening by Sunday night as a cold front passes
through. Considered a Winter Weather Advisory for the blowing
and drifting aspect though with totals still an inch or two away
from advisory thresholds, opted to hold off. The HRRR has been
trending up with totals though that has been a tendency all
winter with the hi-rez models rapidly ramping up accumulations
at or right before the onset while holding tight with prior
forecasts verified best. So, didn`t chase this forecast and
stuck to the typical clipper potential without a clear signal to
go on the high side of guidance.
Looking ahead to next week, we expect a significantly warmer
trend. High temperatures will climb into the 20s for Monday
and Tuesday. By Thursday, a stronger weather system may arrive,
potentially pushing temperatures into the mid-30s and bringing a
mix of rain and snow to the area with more atmospheric moisture
content.
&&
.AVIATION /06Z TAFS THROUGH 06Z MONDAY/...
Issued at 1136 PM CST Sat Jan 31 2026
A clipper is approaching with light snow showers expected.
Ceilings and visibilities are expected to lower to IFR overnight
with a short window of visibilities as low as 1/2 mile for HIB
and BRD with a band of higher snowfall rates in the early
morning. As the system passes tomorrow, continued cold air
advection on the back side of the system may lead to scattered light
snow showers through the late afternoon and into the evening.
Additional lowered conditions may need to be accounted for with
future TAF issuances.
&&
.MARINE /FOR NEARSHORE WATERS OF WESTERN LAKE SUPERIOR/...
Issued at 227 PM CST Sat Jan 31 2026
Southwest winds increase tonight to 15-20 kt with gusts up to
30 kt. Small Craft Advisories are in effect for all western Lake
Superior nearshore waters starting tonight and continuing
through Sunday afternoon. Waves will build to 2-4 feet, highest
toward the North Shore and the Apostle Islands. Winds switch to
the northwest Sunday night.
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 6 PM CST Sunday for LSZ140>144.
Small Craft Advisory until noon CST Sunday for LSZ145-146-148-
150.
&&
$$
DISCUSSION...Wolfe
AVIATION...KML
MARINE...Wolfe
NWS DLH Office Area Forecast Discussion
