/Issued 4:03 PM CST, Friday, December 28th, 2012/
-Snow depth map valid the Morning of December 28, 2012 per Midwest Regional Climate Center.
Some decent snow depths showing up in Northeast Minnesota, especially along the North Shore and into the Arrowhead. Might be a good weekend to head north to do some skiing or snowmobiling.
Today’s Weather Summary for Northeast Minnesota and Northwest Wisconsin
A couple areas of high pressure were off to our west/north Today while a trough or two covered the Upper Midwest. Light snow and flurries were common Today, especially around Lake Superior where some heavier snow showers continued as well, especially northeast of Two Harbors. Snowfall accumulations of 3-8″ have been reported along the North Shore of Lake Superior with amounts of 2″ or less common over the remainder of the Northland. Skies were partly sunny to mostly cloudy Today with high temperatures in the teens and 20s. Winds were out of the east, north, or west at 5 to 15 mph.
-24 hour snowfall map ending the Morning of December 28, 2012. Heaviest totals were in two areas…Southern Minnesota and in Northeast Minnesota.
Today’s Upper Level Analysis:
A westerly flow was in place across the Upper Midwest per water vapor satellite imagery and RAP model analysis with two disturbances passing through the region Today. 850mb temperatures as of 3 PM were right around -12C in Minnesota.
Forecast Discussion for Northeast Minnesota and Northwest Wisconsin
Short Term – Confidence: High.
Tonight (December 28th)
Snow showers and flurries will continue Tonight, especially near Lake Superior. Some of the snow showers could be heavy at times, mainly along the North Shore, or from around Two Harbors, to Silver Bay, Lutsen, and Grand Marais. Partly to mostly cloudy skies are forecast with lows in the single digits and teens, but some Western/Northern locales could dip below zero if skies clear out enough later Tonight. Winds will be from the north or west at 5 to 15 mph.
*Note: A winter weather advisory remains in effect for Northern Lake and Cook Counties in Northeast Minnesota until 10 AM Saturday. And for Southern Lake County in Northeast Minnesota until 4 AM Saturday. (NWS Duluth)
Saturday and Saturday Night (December 29th)
Snow showers and flurries look to continue on Saturday with the greatest concentration found along the North Shore and Arrowhead regions. Looks dry for Saturday Night. Partly to mostly cloudy skies are expected this period with highs Tomorrow in the teens and 20s. Lows Tomorrow Night will range from around 10 below to 10 above. Winds from the west on Saturday will turn more southerly Saturday Night at 5 to 15 mph.
Extended Forecast – Confidence: High.
Sunday through Tuesday (December 30th-January 1st)
The mildest day will be Sunday, after that will have to deal with another shot of cold air for Monday and Tuesday. An area of low pressure is forecast to track along the Ontario-Minnesota border on Sunday with a cold front dropping SE through the Northland, this front and low could bring a few snow showers and flurries to Northeast Minnesota and Northwest Wisconsin from Sunday into early Monday. Looks mainly dry then for Monday Night and Tuesday.
High temperatures will be in the teens and 20s on Sunday with single digits and teens expected for Monday and Tuesday. Lows Sunday Night will range from around 5 below to 15 above. Lows Monday Night will be in the single digits to around 20 below.
Long Range Forecast – Confidence: High.
(January 2nd-7th)
The trend of no major storms continue into early January. The biggest attention grabber will be the arctic shot of air that is forecast to hit on the 2nd-3rd, moderating temperatures will then occur from the 4th-7th with near to even above average temperatures expected by next weekend the way it looks now. May have to deal with the occasional weak clipper system which could dust the Northland with snow, but again there won’t be any big storms in our area just yet.
5 DAY FORECAST FOR DULUTH/SUPERIOR
.Tonight… Light snow and flurries at times. Considerable cloudiness. Low 10 to 15. Wind variable around 10 mph. Snowfall accumulations less than 1″.
.Saturday… Partly sunny. Flurries possible. High 20 to 25. Wind west to southwest at 10 to 15 mph.
.Saturday Night… Mostly clear. Low 3 below to 2 above. Wind southwest around 10 mph.
.Sunday… Partly sunny. High 17 to 22.
.Sunday Night… Mostly cloudy. Flurries possible. Low 0 to 5.
.Monday… Flurries possible early. Partly sunny. High 10 to 15.
.Monday Night… Mostly clear. Low 5 below to 10 below.
.Tuesday… Partly cloudy. High 7 to 12.
Normal temperatures for Today
High: 20
Low: 3
Sunrise Saturday: 7:54 AM CST
Sunset Saturday: 4:29 PM CST
Tim