DULUTH, Minn. — Several rounds of gale-force winds are expected on Lake Superior this week, creating hazardous marine conditions and increasing the risk of heavy freezing spray, according to the National Weather Service in Duluth.
Forecasters said wind gusts exceeding 34 knots are likely at times, especially along the North Shore, beginning Sunday night and continuing through Friday morning. Widespread gales are expected Wednesday night into Thursday.
Storm-force gusts of up to 50 knots are possible near Grand Marais on Thursday, the weather service said. Cold air returning late in the week will increase the risk of heavy freezing spray Thursday and Friday, posing additional dangers for mariners.
Meanwhile, temperatures across northeastern Minnesota and northwestern Wisconsin are expected to warm early in the week before a strong, wintry system arrives midweek.
Highs are forecast to climb into the upper 30s to near 40 by Tuesday and Wednesday. A windy, snowy and mixed-precipitation system is expected to move into the region Wednesday into Thursday, bringing gusty winds and potentially hazardous travel conditions.
The weather service said the heaviest snowfall is most likely north of the storm track, where liquid precipitation amounts greater than a quarter inch could translate into 3 inches or more of snow.
Winds are expected to remain gusty throughout the week, adding to travel challenges on land and dangerous conditions on Lake Superior.
