Duluth, MN – A powerful winter storm continues to hammer the Northland this morning, bringing heavy snow, strong winds, and blizzard conditions to parts of northern Minnesota and northwest Wisconsin. The National Weather Service (NWS) in Duluth reports that some of the most dangerous conditions are unfolding along the South Shore, where snowfall rates of 1 inch per hour or more are occurring.
According to the NWS, the heaviest snow bands are impacting areas of northern Iron County and the higher terrain of northwest Wisconsin, where storm-total accumulations are forecast to reach 18 to 26 inches in and around Hurley. Travel may become difficult to impossible along routes such as U.S. Hwy 2, WI Hwy 77, and US Hwy 51 due to blowing snow and whiteout visibility.
Elsewhere across northern Minnesota, snow is tapering off from west to east today and is expected to end for most locations by tonight. Lake-effect snow will linger into Thanksgiving Day along the South Shore before gradually weakening.
Strong northerly winds are combining with falling snow to create hazardous travel. Gusts between 30 and 45 mph are ongoing today, and higher localized gusts may intensify blowing and drifting, especially on open or exposed roadways.
Much colder temperatures are arriving behind the storm system, with highs only in the 20s and lows dropping into the teens and even single digits through the weekend. The NWS notes a 60–70% probability that below-normal temperatures will linger into mid-December, extending the early-season cold pattern.
Drivers are urged to delay non-essential travel in blizzard-impacted areas and monitor updates as road conditions change rapidly through the day.
