Minnesota – Wind howls off Lake Superior this morning, driving thick bands of snow sideways through Duluth’s steep streets. Plows scrape along icy pavement while visibility drops to near whiteout levels — a harsh, wintry start for Thanksgiving travelers across northeast Minnesota.
The National Weather Service in Duluth has issued a Winter Storm Warning for Carlton, Cook, Lake, and St. Louis counties, in effect until midnight tonight. Snow continues to pile up along the North Shore and inland communities, with an additional 2 to 8 inches expected. Gusts near 45 mph will create blowing and drifting snow, making travel extremely difficult — especially along I-35, Highway 61, and rural routes near Hibbing and Grand Marais.
Forecasters warn that visibility may fall below a quarter mile at times, and tree limbs could snap under the combined weight of snow and wind. Anyone traveling for Thanksgiving should pack emergency supplies, including a flashlight, blankets, and food. Officials advise delaying non-essential trips until conditions improve late tonight.
Snow tapers from west to east by early Thanksgiving Day, leaving behind bitter cold and partly sunny skies. Highs will barely reach the mid-20s, with wind chills near single digits — a stark reminder that early winter weather has firmly settled across the Northland.
Friday and Saturday stay mostly calm but cold, before another round of snow chances builds by Saturday night. Behind it, a deep Arctic front arriving December 1–5 could unleash even colder air across the northern U.S., signaling the start of a prolonged December cold snap that may stretch well into the Midwest.
For now, Minnesota sits squarely in the grip of winter — a Thanksgiving blanketed in snow, wind, and ice, testing travelers’ patience and resilience alike.
