Duluth, MN – Snow flurries swirl along Lake Superior’s shoreline this morning, hinting at what’s coming — a true winter blast by Friday. The air feels sharp, the sky gray and restless, and by week’s end, northern Minnesota will once again find itself under a December snow shield with plunging temperatures and dangerous wind chills.
According to the National Weather Service in Duluth, a fast-moving system will bring light snow late Thursday, then heavier bands Friday, with gusty northwest winds near 30 mph. New snow accumulation could reach 3 to 5 inches across parts of St. Louis and Lake Counties, with locally higher amounts toward the North Shore. Blowing snow and low visibility may develop by afternoon, creating hazardous travel on I-35 and Highway 53.
Friday’s high near 16°F will feel closer to zero once winds strengthen. By Friday night, lows crash to -11°F, with gusts whipping across open stretches and freezing any slush left on roads. Expect slick surfaces through Saturday morning as the region stays locked in single-digit highs and sub-zero wind chills.
While skies clear later in the weekend, this pattern marks the first significant Arctic intrusion of December. Meteorologists note another Alberta clipper could follow early next week — potentially adding fresh snow and reinforcing the cold.
5-Day Outlook (Dec 10 – Dec 14):
- Today (Wed): Mostly sunny, high 18°F, breezy north winds.
- Thursday: Partly sunny, high 18°F, snow chance late.
- Friday: Snow likely, 3–5″ possible, high 16°F, gusts to 30 mph.
- Saturday: Clearing, frigid, high 1°F, low -11°F.
- Sunday: Partly sunny, high 10°F.
