Duluth, Minnesota – Roads across northern Minnesota are turning slick right now as freezing drizzle creates a thin glaze of ice during the early morning commute, especially on untreated surfaces and bridges.
According to the National Weather Service in Duluth, freezing drizzle is spreading across north-central and northeastern Minnesota early Wednesday, with icy conditions expanding northwest over the next few hours. Pavement temperatures remain below freezing, allowing even light moisture to create hazardous travel, particularly along Highway 53, U.S. 2, and I-35 near Duluth.
Communities including Duluth, Grand Rapids, Hibbing, International Falls, and Two Harbors are seeing the greatest impact through mid-morning. Side streets, parking lots, and elevated roadways are likely to ice over first, increasing the risk of slips and crashes.
Conditions will briefly improve later today as temperatures rise above freezing, but that relief will be short-lived. Another round of wintry mix is expected between 6 p.m. and midnight, with a second glaze of ice possible—especially across northwest Wisconsin and the Arrowhead.
Drivers should slow down, allow extra stopping distance, and avoid unnecessary travel during peak icing. More widespread wintry precipitation is expected by Saturday, with additional advisories likely.
