Duluth, Minnesota – Winter may refuse to loosen its grip quickly across northern Minnesota, with a wetter-than-normal spring increasing the odds for lingering snow well into the season.
According to NOAA’s Seasonal Temperature and Precipitation Outlook released February 19, northern Minnesota is favored to see above normal precipitation during March-April-May 2026, while temperatures lean below normal across parts of the Upper Midwest. That combination strongly supports additional snow events in March and possibly into April before a gradual transition to cold rain.
In Duluth, International Falls, Ely and Hibbing, late-season systems could still produce measurable snowfall, especially during overnight hours when temperatures dip below freezing. Lake-enhanced snow showers off Lake Superior may briefly reduce visibility along stretches of I-35 and U.S. Highway 53. Accumulating wet snow could impact rural roads longer into the morning commute before melting begins.
Bemidji and the Iron Range may also see repeated snow chances early in the season, with rain becoming more common by late April and May as temperatures slowly moderate. However, sharp cold fronts could still trigger quick snow bursts even as the calendar advances.
With above normal precipitation expected, river levels along the Rainy, St. Louis and Mississippi headwaters may fluctuate depending on snowmelt timing and rainfall intensity.
Overall, northern Minnesota appears set for a slow, moisture-heavy transition into spring. Residents should prepare for extended snow risks, fluctuating temperatures and periodic rain before more consistent warmth arrives closer to May.
