Duluth, Minnesota – Anyone traveling across northeastern Minnesota and northwest Wisconsin should prepare for deteriorating weather through tonight as thunderstorms increase across the Northland. The greatest concern is from Thursday evening into Friday morning, when a few storms could produce large hail, damaging wind gusts, and locally heavy rainfall that may create ponding on roads and reduced visibility.
According to the National Weather Service in Duluth, rain and thunderstorm coverage will expand this afternoon before peaking overnight into Friday morning. The strongest storms may develop across portions of northern Minnesota, including the Brainerd Lakes region, the Iron Range, and areas along the Interstate 35 corridor. Localized rainfall exceeding 1 inch is possible where heavier storms repeatedly move over the same locations, raising the risk of minor flooding in low-lying and poor-drainage areas.
The highest rain chances occur overnight across much of the Northland, including Duluth, Hibbing, International Falls, Brainerd, and neighboring communities in northwest Wisconsin. Motorists should slow down on wet roads and never drive through flooded areas. If severe thunderstorms develop, move indoors immediately and stay away from windows until warnings expire.
The weekend outlook improves considerably. After showers taper Friday, Saturday and Sunday are expected to feature comfortable temperatures, lighter winds, and much lower precipitation chances, providing a better opportunity for outdoor activities across the region.
Additional watches, warnings, or advisories could be issued through Friday morning as thunderstorms evolve. Residents are encouraged to monitor the latest updates from the National Weather Service before traveling or spending time outdoors.
