Duluth, Minnesota – A bitter, storm-primed pattern is locking in across northern Minnesota as December begins, prompting a December Snow Alert while winter in Duluth turns sharply more aggressive. While it’s too early to determine exactly how many inches of snow could fall, one thing is certain: Minnesota is positioned for an above-average amount, especially across the Arrowhead where lake-effect and clipper systems frequently overlap.
According to the Climate Prediction Center, below-normal temperatures and above-normal precipitation are favored across the Upper Midwest through December. According to the National Weather Service in Duluth, this pattern supports repeated early-winter storm windows, with strong clippers, Alberta waves, and Lake Superior–enhanced snow all capable of producing fast, heavy bursts across St. Louis, Lake, and Cook counties.
According to MnDOT, travel hazards will likely increase along I-35, Highway 61, Highway 53, and the Iron Range corridors. Whiteout conditions, blowing snow, and black ice on bridges may complicate morning and evening commutes. Drivers should keep winter emergency kits stocked, charge devices, and allow extra time as Arctic winds strengthen.
Holiday events from Duluth’s Canal Park to the North Shore may face schedule changes if lake-effect bands intensify during evening hours. Residents should dress in layers, protect exposed pipes, and prepare for isolated outages when heavy, wind-driven snow collects on tree limbs in the higher terrain.
While detailed totals remain uncertain, long-range guidance continues to show a colder, storm-loaded pattern — boosting confidence that Northern Minnesota is headed for a snowy December and lifting the odds of a White Christmas from the Iron Range to Grand Marais.
