/Issued 3:33 PM CST, Saturday, February 22, 2014/
Pretty cool visible satellite image from This Afternoon.
Persistent strong winds during the past few days have broken up and or shifted the ice on Lake Superior and on Lake Michigan. By the way Lake Superior is 81% ice covered as of February 22 while the Great Lakes have an average of 69% ice cover as of February 21.
Note: The darker areas on both maps represent open water while the cloudier areas show where there is ice.
Here’s a shot of Lake Superior and the Northern portion of Lake Michigan.
And now here’s a visible satellite image of Lake Michigan from This Afternoon. Pretty cool!
The white arrows indicate the general wind direction.
Had to share…Hilarious.
Snow stats for Duluth, Minnesota (Airport location)
February total through the 21st: 29.5″
Departure: +20.7″
February 2013 total through the 21st: 14.2″
Difference: +15″ more snow this February compared to last February.
Winter total December 1-February 21: 78.8″
Departure: +32.9″
Last year’s winter total through February 21: 36.6″
Difference: +42″ more snow this winter compared to last.
Annual total July 1-February 21: 83.8″
Departure: +21.8″
Last year’s annual total through February 21: 47.9″
Difference: +35″ more snow this year compared to last.
Today’s Weather Summary for NE Minnesota and NW Wisconsin
Strong low pressure is centered near Hudson Bay Canada Today with a tight pressure gradient continuing on the SW flank of this low. Partly cloudy to sunny skies prevailed throughout the Northland Today with daytime highs only in the teens along with brisk west winds at 10 to 25 mph with gusts over 30 mph.
Forecast Discussion for NE Minnesota and NW Wisconsin
Short Term Forecast – Confidence: High.
Tonight (February 22)
Clear to partly cloudy skies will be found in our area with more clouds at times mainly over far Northern Minnesota. Lows will be in the single digits below to single digits above zero. Winds will be out of the west at 10 to 20 mph with higher gusts possible.
Sunday and Sunday Night (February 23)
Clear to partly cloudy skies will continue this period with highs mainly in the teens. Lows Tomorrow Night will range from around 10 below to 10 above. West or northwest winds are expected at 10 to 20 mph.
Extended Forecast – Confidence: High.
Monday through Wednesday (February 24-26)
Dry weather is expected during this period with highs on Monday in the teens. Highs Tuesday and Wednesday will mainly be in the single digits. Lows Monday Night and Tuesday Night will range from the single digits below to 20s below.
Long Range Forecast – Confidence: High.
(February 27-March 4)
Below average temperatures look like they will continue right through this period. The weather at least around here looks pretty quiet as well. Still will have to watch the period from March 1-3 for a possible snow event but right now that looks like it would be south of the Northland.
5 DAY FORECAST FOR DULUTH AND SUPERIOR
.Tonight… Still windy. Clear to partly cloudy. Low 2 below to 3 above. Wind west at 15 to 25 mph with higher gusts possible.
.Sunday… Mostly sunny. High 13 to 18. Wind west to northwest at 10 to 20 mph.
.Sunday Night… Partly cloudy. Low 1 below to 6 below. Wind northwest at 10 to 15 mph.
.Monday… Partly cloudy. High 10 to 15.
.Monday Night… Partly cloudy. Low 5 below to 10 below.
.Tuesday… Partly cloudy. High 5 to 10.
.Tuesday Night… Partly cloudy. Low 10 below to 15 below.
.Wednesday… Partly cloudy. High 3 to 8.
Normal temperatures for Today
High: 26
Low: 9
Sunrise Sunday: 6:59 AM CST
Sunset Sunday: 5:45 PM CST
Tim