Duluth, MN — A gray ceiling hangs low over Lake Superior this morning, the wind cutting cold and raw as late November air brushes against the shore. The quiet won’t last. Weather models are signaling a sharp transition toward winter across northern Minnesota — just in time for Thanksgiving travel to pick up.
The National Weather Service in Duluth warns of patchy freezing drizzle and light freezing rain early today, mainly near the Iron Range. Even a light glaze can make bridges and untreated roads slick, especially along U.S. Highway 53 and I-35. Drivers should stay alert through midmorning.
By Sunday, skies clear briefly with highs near 48°F, but the mild stretch ends quickly. A strong system approaches Monday, bringing increasing rain chances late in the day. As colder air rushes in behind the front, rain is expected to change to snow Tuesday, with gusty winds and falling temperatures through midweek.
Early projections show potential for light to moderate snow accumulations, though totals depend on timing of the changeover. Still, it’s the kind of setup that could complicate early Thanksgiving travel across northern Wisconsin and the Arrowhead region.
From Tuesday into Wednesday, highs will dip into the low 30s — a true November cold snap setting up a classic “winter tease” across the Upper Midwest. National trends hint at heavier snow building across parts of the central U.S. between November 25th and December 3rd, so travel conditions could deteriorate farther south as the holiday week unfolds.
Five-Day Outlook (Duluth, MN)
- Sunday: Partly sunny, high 48°F
- Monday: Rain likely late, high 46°F
- Tuesday: Rain changing to snow, high 42°F
- Wednesday: Breezy with snow showers, high 32°F
- Thanksgiving Day: Cold and partly sunny, high 28°F
