Duluth, Minnesota – Northern Minnesota and northwest Wisconsin are bracing for multiple rounds of severe thunderstorms, with damaging wind gusts and large hail likely through 8 a.m. Wednesday. Residents from Duluth to Ashland should prepare for a heightened risk of flash flooding and hazardous travel overnight.
According to the National Weather Service in Duluth, a Flood Watch is in effect for Carlton, southern St. Louis, southern Lake, and southern Cook counties in Minnesota, as well as Douglas, Bayfield, Ashland, Iron, Burnett, Washburn, and Sawyer counties in Wisconsin. Thunderstorms are forecast to redevelop and intensify along a stalled front, dumping 2 to 4 inches of rain, with localized amounts up to 4+ inches and the potential for 1.5-inch hail and winds reaching 65 mph.
Travel could become dangerous along highways including I-35, U.S. Highway 2, and major roads in Duluth, Superior, Two Harbors, Moose Lake, and Ashland. Tribal lands and low-lying neighborhoods face increased flooding risk, especially in urban and poor-drainage areas.
Prepare now by moving valuables to higher ground, charging devices, and staying off flooded roads—just 12 inches of water can sweep away most vehicles. This is the region’s highest severe weather threat so far this summer, and additional warnings could be issued overnight as storms train across the Northland.
