Duluth, MN – Northern Wisconsin is bracing for a round of lake effect snow this weekend as cold northerly winds sweep over Lake Superior, according to the National Weather Service (NWS) in Duluth.
A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect for Iron and Ashland Counties from 6 p.m. Saturday through 6 a.m. Monday, with forecasters warning of snowfall rates up to 1 inch per hour at times on Sunday. The NWS said visibility may drop quickly during heavier bursts, especially in open and elevated areas.
“Highest accumulations of 6 to 8 inches are expected in the higher elevations of Iron County, with lesser amounts elsewhere,” the agency said. Lighter snow totals of 2 to 4 inches are forecast closer to Ashland and coastal zones where temperatures may fluctuate slightly above freezing.
Motorists traveling along U.S. Highway 2, State Highway 77, and rural roads near Iron Belt, Hurley, and Gurney should exercise caution, as slick conditions and reduced visibility are likely to persist into early Monday.
This weekend’s system is being driven by strong north winds moving across the relatively warm waters of Lake Superior, enhancing snowfall through lake effect processes. Forecasters note that similar patterns could bring additional snow chances next week as cold air lingers across the region.
