DULUTH, Minn. – Light flakes swirl over the harbor this morning, soft but steady, hinting at the storm still forming to the west. The air feels raw, the kind that bites exposed skin within minutes. It’s the calm before what could be a winter weather shakeup for northern Minnesota and northwest Wisconsin heading into the weekend.
According to the National Weather Service in Duluth, accumulating snow will expand across the region Saturday and persist through Saturday night, with 2 to 6 inches possible — locally higher near the North Shore and along Interstate 35 north of Cloquet. Visibility could drop below a mile at times, creating slick, snow-covered roads and reduced travel speeds during the peak of post-Thanksgiving travel.
By Sunday, winds strengthen from the northwest at 20 to 30 mph, gusting higher near the lake. Temperatures fall sharply, with highs only in the lower 20s and wind chills dipping below zero by early Monday. These blustery conditions may blow snow back onto cleared roads, especially along open stretches near Two Harbors and Superior.
Meteorologists warn this pattern marks the start of a longer December cold snap likely to persist into next week. Another weak clipper system could brush the region midweek, keeping the chance for flurries alive even as skies brighten.
Residents should finish outdoor prep today — secure decorations, check tire tread, and keep emergency kits in vehicles.
Five-Day Outlook for Duluth, Minnesota
Friday: Cloudy, high 24°F.
Saturday: Snow likely, high 26°F.
Sunday: Partly sunny, blustery, high 21°F.
Monday: Mostly sunny, bitterly cold, high 16°F.
Tuesday: Mostly cloudy, high 21°F.
