Duluth, Minnesota – Wet roads will turn slushy and potentially snow-covered across the Northland by Friday evening as rain transitions to accumulating snow, creating hazardous travel along I-35 and US-53 before midnight. Drivers heading north toward the Iron Range should prepare for changing road conditions within a matter of hours late Friday.
According to the National Weather Service in Duluth, rain spreads into northeast Minnesota late Thursday night and continues through much of Friday. A few embedded thunderstorms may develop Friday evening, especially from the Brainerd Lakes area into northwest Wisconsin. As colder air moves in, precipitation will change from northwest to southeast Friday afternoon into Friday night, ending early Saturday morning.
The best chance for at least 2 inches of snow will be along and north of the Iron Range, including Grand Rapids, Hibbing, Ely, and International Falls. Some locations in north-central Minnesota have a less than 20 percent chance of exceeding 4 inches if heavier snow bands develop Friday evening. In Duluth and along the North Shore, totals will depend on how quickly rain flips to snow, but slick stretches are likely on bridges and elevated roadways.
US-2, US-169, and MN-38 could become snow-covered Friday night, while I-35 near Duluth may see reduced visibility during heavier bursts. Travelers should slow down, allow extra braking distance, and monitor Minnesota Department of Transportation road reports before departing.
Precipitation winds down early Saturday morning, but untreated roads may remain icy into the start of the weekend. Additional advisories could be issued if snowfall rates intensify Friday night.
