Duluth, Minnesota – Roads across northern Minnesota and northwest Wisconsin could become nearly impossible to travel by late Sunday as a powerful winter storm drops up to 32 inches of snow near Lake Superior while strong winds create widespread blowing snow.
According to the National Weather Service in Duluth, multiple Winter Storm Warnings begin late Saturday evening through early Sunday and continue into Monday across northeast Minnesota and northern Wisconsin.
Areas along the South Shore of Lake Superior, including Bayfield, Hayward, Washburn and Phillips, could see the most extreme snowfall. Forecasters expect 20 to 32 inches of total snow, with winds gusting up to 45 mph likely to create blowing and drifting snow and near whiteout conditions.
Farther west into Pine County, Superior, Spooner and Hinckley, snowfall totals of 11 to 20 inches are expected from early Sunday through early Monday.
Across northeast Minnesota, including Duluth, Carlton County and parts of St. Louis County, 6 to 14 inches of snow may fall between late Saturday night and Sunday evening, with winds gusting up to 40 mph.
Major routes including Interstate 35 near Duluth, U.S. Highway 2 and Highway 53 could become extremely hazardous as snowfall intensifies and blowing snow reduces visibility.
Officials warn that travel may become very difficult or impossible, especially Sunday into Monday morning. Residents are urged to delay travel if possible and check road conditions using Minnesota 511 or Wisconsin 511.
Snow and blowing snow could continue affecting travel into Monday, with the Monday morning commute likely impacted across much of the western Lake Superior region.
