/Issued 6:01 PM CST, Thursday, March 1, 2018/
Computer models continue to show a potential storm impacting northeast Minnesota and northwest Wisconsin between Sunday and Tuesday, March 4-6. There continues to be uncertainty with the track of the low, how strong it will be and how much precipitation will fall in our area. But there is at least some potential for a hefty amount of snow for some parts of the area, possibly greater than 6 inches of snow. In addition, strong east to northeast winds are expected near Lake Superior especially Monday and Tuesday when winds could gust over 40 mph! There is even a low chance that a thunderstorm or two will develop in parts of the upper Midwest Sunday and Monday as some elevated instability builds north into the area.
Should also note that the European computer model has been nailing the Twin Ports area with a good amount of snow for early next week for several model runs now, the Euro has shown between 8-16 inches of snow in the Duluth area using a 10:1 ratio which could be a little high given the expected temperatures which look pretty mild which could result in lower ratios, a wetter snowfall. Stay tuned!
Source: https://coastwatch.glerl.noaa.gov
Note: Ice coverage has come down quite a bit the past few weeks, but the amount of Lake Superior covered by ice for March 1 is still above the 1973-2017 average.
February 2018 Climate stats for select cities
International Falls, Minnesota
Average temperature: 3.3 degrees
Departure: -7.0 degrees below normal
Total precipitation: 0.98 inches
Departure: +0.41 inches above normal
Total snowfall: 14.9 inches
Departure: +4.1 inches above normal
Hibbing, Minnesota
Average temperature: 4.1 degrees
Departure: -7.9 degrees below normal
Brainerd, Minnesota
Average temperature: 8.4 degrees
Departure: -8.2 degrees below normal
St. Cloud, Minnesota
Average temperature: 9.4 degrees
Departure: -7.6 degrees below normal
Total precipitation: 1.40 inches
Departure: +0.81 inches above normal
Total snowfall: 16.1 inches
Departure: +9.1 inches above normal
Duluth, Minnesota
Average temperature: 10.3 degrees
Departure: -4.8 degrees below normal
Total precipitation: 1.73 inches
Departure: +0.92 inches above normal
Total snowfall: 24.2 inches
Departure: +11.8 inches above normal
Ashland, Wisconsin
Average temperature: 12.3 degrees
Departure: -5.4 degrees below normal
Eau Claire, Wisconsin
Average temperature: 13.6 degrees
Departure: -5.8 degrees below normal
Total precipitation: 1.20 inches
Departure: +0.39 inches above normal
Total snowfall: 13.2 inches
Departure: +5.9 inches above normal
Marquette, Michigan
Average temperature: 13.7 degrees
Departure: -1.8 degrees below normal
Total precipitation: 1.44 inches
Departure: -0.70 inches below normal
Total snowfall: 16.2 inches
Departure: -19.7 inches below normal
Twin Cities, Minnesota
Average temperature: 15.9 degrees
Departure: -4.9 degrees below normal
Total precipitation: 1.33 inches
Departure: +0.56 inches above normal
Total snowfall: 15.9 inches
Departure: +8.2 inches above normal
Weather Synopsis
A few clouds at times but generally mostly sunny skies for a good portion of the area today with highs ranging from around 30 degrees near Lake Superior to the mid 30s to low 40s elsewhere.
High pressure over the northern Plains this afternoon will pass through the upper Midwest through Friday before it pushes north/east of our area this weekend. NW flow aloft covered the upper Midwest today behind a strengthening area of low pressure which was over eastern Ohio this afternoon, this storm will turn into a major Nor’easter on Friday bringing powerful winds, heavy rain and snow to parts of the northeast U.S. Our weather will remain on the quiet side through Saturday, the only issue could be some fog that may develop late tonight through Friday morning, otherwise partly to mostly cloudy skies are expected through Saturday.
Lows tonight will range from the single digits below to lower 20s above zero. Highs Friday will be in the 30s to lower 40s.
Forecast for Duluth and Superior
.Tonight… Partly cloudy. Low 13 to 18. Wind northwest at 5 to 15 mph with east winds near Lake Superior becoming west.
.Friday… Partly to mostly cloudy. High 33 to 38. Wind becoming east at 10 to 15 mph.
.Saturday… Mostly cloudy. High 33 to 38. Wind east at 10 to 20 mph.
Normal temperatures for Friday
High: 29
Low: 12
Sunrise Friday: 6:46 AM CST
Sunset Friday: 5:56 PM CST
Tim
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