/Issued 5:11 PM CDT, Friday, May 11, 2018/
Source: https://weathermodels.com
5.11.2018 European Computer Model 12z run
Source: http://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/
Note: Abnormally Dry conditions (Yellow area) cover 39% of Minnesota, up from just 4% last week. Moderate Drought covers 1% of the state, same as last week. Not a serious issue in the short term but if we continue in this dry pattern, then drought will probably expand and worsen in severity in parts of Minnesota down the road.
Source: http://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/
Looking better in Wisconsin with just 1% of the state classified as abnormally dry (Yellow area on map) This is down from 3% last week.
Source: http://www.pivotalweather.com/
Source: http://www.pivotalweather.com/
Weather Synopsis
High level clouds (cirrus) passing through the Northland at times today otherwise some filtered sun with below normal to near normal temperatures as highs maxed out in the 40s near Lake Superior to the mid 50s and low 60s farther inland.
Surface map late this Friday afternoon had a well defined front stretching from northern Kansas to Ohio — Temperatures south of that front were in the 80s and 90s this afternoon with 40s and 50s with periods of rain north of that front.
Mainly dry weather will persist across the Northland through the middle of next week with warming temperatures through the weekend.
Tonight will still be chilly with patchy frost possible with lows in the 20s and 30s.
Highs Saturday will be in the 50s and 60s, cooler by Lake Superior.
Sunday’s highs will be in the 60s to lower 70s.
Highs on Monday are expected to be in the 70s with a few locations close to or reaching 80 degrees!
East winds will continue through Saturday, but a wind shift to the west is expected for Sunday and Monday so temperatures will be warmer even near Lake Superior.
Low Temperature Reports from Friday morning, May 11, 2018
Source: https://www.weather.gov/dlh/
Crane Lake, MN: 21 F
Cotton, MN: 21 F
International Falls, MN: 23 F
Hibbing, MN: 23 F
Grand Marais Airport: 23 F
Silver Bay Airport: 23 F
Ashland, WI: 25 F
Ely, MN: 25 F
Bigfork, MN: 25 F
4 E Island Lake, MN: 26 F
Two Harbors, MN: 27 F
Superior, WI: 29 F
Butternut, WI: 29 F
Solon Springs, WI: 30 F
Duluth Airport: 32 F (Note: Average date for last 32 F low is May 14) In 2017 the last 32 F or colder low was on May 7.
***Record Event***
Record Low Temperature at International Falls, Minnesota for May 11.
New Record: 23 degrees set on May 11, 2018
Old Record: 24 degrees set on May 11, 1996 and on May 11, 1953
It’s been a dry spring in the Northland
Total Precipitation since March 1:
Duluth, Minnesota: 2.20 inches
Departure: -2.73 inches below normal
International Falls, Minnesota: 1.29 inches
Departure: -1.99 inches below normal
I don’t see any widespread soaking rain events for our area at least through the middle of next week and possibly beyond.
Forecast for Duluth and Superior
.Tonight… Partly cloudy. Patchy frost possible late. Low 31 to 36. Wind east at 5 to 15 mph.
.Saturday… Partly cloudy. High 57 to 62 but cooler near Lake Superior. Wind east at 10 to 15 mph.
.Sunday… Partly cloudy. High 66 to 71. Wind southwest at 10 to 20 mph.
Normal temperatures for Saturday
High: 61
Low: 40
Sunrise Saturday: 5:38 AM CDT
Sunset Saturday: 8:33 PM CDT
Tim