Duluth, MN – Travel along Highway 61 could become life-threatening after 9 p.m. tonight as 60 mph wind gusts whip up 2 feet of snow into full blizzard conditions along Minnesota’s North Shore.
According to the National Weather Service in Duluth, a Blizzard Warning remains in effect from 9 p.m. tonight until noon Thursday for Southern Lake and Southern Cook counties, including Two Harbors, Silver Bay and Grand Marais. Snow totals will range from 16 to 24 inches, with the heaviest snowfall rates expected tonight through Wednesday morning due to terrain enhancement along the North Shore ridge.
Powerful easterly winds gusting to 60 mph will cause widespread blowing and drifting snow, reducing visibility to near zero at times. Highway 61 is especially vulnerable to whiteout conditions as winds funnel off Lake Superior. The weight of heavy snow combined with strong winds may snap tree limbs and down power lines, leading to sporadic outages.
Officials urge residents to avoid all non-emergency travel. If stranded, remain inside your vehicle and keep a winter survival kit on hand. Conditions will remain dangerous through Thursday morning, with gradual improvement expected by midday Thursday as winds ease.
