Minnesota wakes up cold and steel-gray along Lake Superior as flurries drift across Duluth.
Temperatures sit near 21 degrees early, with clouds holding firm over the Twin Ports. A few flurries brush the city, but roads remain mostly manageable for now. That calm does not last long.
By Christmas Day afternoon, conditions begin changing fast. Light snow develops first, then shifts toward a wintry mix, including freezing rain by early evening. Gusty east winds off Lake Superior add bite to the air, lowering visibility and creating slick patches on untreated roads.
Drivers heading along I-35, Highway 53, or coastal routes should prepare for slushy pavement and pockets of ice by late afternoon. Accumulation looks light, but even thin ice can trigger spin-outs and slow holiday travel.
Thursday night brings the highest concern. Snow, freezing rain, and sleet remain possible, with wind gusts near 25 mph. Meteorologists warn conditions may deteriorate quickly after sunset as temperatures hover near freezing.
Friday improves slightly but stays unsettled. A lingering chance of wintry precipitation continues into the morning before tapering. Skies stay mostly cloudy, with highs near 35 degrees, keeping melting and refreezing risks in play.
Post-Christmas travel on Saturday looks mixed. Milder air pushes highs toward the upper 30s, but rain chances increase during the afternoon. By Saturday night, colder air returns, flipping rain back to snow or rain-snow mix, paired with increasing winds.
That rapid temperature swing raises concerns for black ice, especially late Saturday night and early Sunday. Bridges, hills, and shaded roads will freeze first.
Plan extra time for holiday travel. Winter conditions are evolving, not ending.
💬 Traveling this weekend? Are roads slick where you are in Duluth?
📆 Five-Day Outlook — Duluth, MN
- Today: Chance of flurries. High 31°F
- Christmas Day: Snow then wintry mix, breezy. High 29°F
- Thursday Night: Snow/freezing rain/sleet mix. Low 26°F
- Friday: Chance of wintry mix early. High 35°F
- Saturday: Chance of rain. High 37°F, colder late
