Winter Weather Advisory has been issued for far northeast Minnesota including portions of the North Shore of Lake Superior including the cities of Whyte, Isabella, Forest Center, Tofte and Grand Marais. Snowfall accumulations of 3 to 6 inches are possible especially in the higher elevations of the North Shore. Plan on slippery road conditions overnight through Saturday morning.
Here’s my snowfall accumulation forecast through Sunday morning. Most of the Northland can expect a light dusting to 2 inches of snow, but far northeast Minnesota could get up to a half-foot of snow (higher terrain areas, away from Lake Superior) Far western portions of the Northland from around Walker to Brainerd could also see heavier snow totals in the 3 to possibly 6 inch range.
Note: Locations closer to Lake Superior shouldn’t get much snow this weekend with more of a rain/snow mix expected the way it looks now.
Blizzard conditions are expected to continue in parts of North Dakota through Saturday afternoon. Impacts per NWS Grand Forks, ND include whiteout conditions with large, impassable drifts. Several days of impossible travel. Localized power outages. Tree and structural damage from the heavy snow load. Disruptions to agricultural and livestock activities. Ditches are full of water in many locations adding an additional danger for persons trying to travel.
More information on this powerful winter storm can be found at the links below
Grand Forks, ND NWS: https://www.weather.gov/fgf/
Bismarck, ND NWS: https://www.weather.gov/bis/
Weather Prediction Center: https://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/discussions/nfdscc1.html
Source: https://www.pivotalweather.com/
Source: https://www.spc.noaa.gov
It took a few days, but the much colder temperatures have finally moved into the Northland today. Source: https://weather.us/
Note: High temp in Duluth on Friday, October 11 occurred at 3:32 AM (60 degrees) Temperatures fell into the 30s before Noon, reaching 38 degrees at 11:47 AM.
Powerful storm continues to affect the Northern Plains and upper Midwest today with the greatest impacts occurring in parts of North Dakota where heavy wind driven snow and blizzard conditions have been occurring today with some accumulating snow as far east as western Minnesota today. Source: Goes-16 water vapor imagery; https://www.tropicaltidbits.com
Goes-16 visible hi-res satellite loop from Friday, October 11, 2019.
Low temperature forecast for Saturday morning, October 12. Source: https://graphical.weather.gov
High temperature forecast for Saturday, October 12
Rainfall Reports for October 10-11, 2019. Source: https://www.weather.gov/dlh/
Note: Totals listed below are for the 24-hour period from 7 AM Thursday to 7 AM Friday.
- Cass Lake, MN: 1.29″
- Wolfridge, MN: 1.26″
- 3 E Orr, MN: 0.85″
- International Falls, MN: 0.83″
- 2 E Celina, MN: 0.78″
- Duluth, MN (Airport) 0.77″
- Kabetogama, MN; 0.76″
- 4 E Island Lake, MN; 0.66″
- 12 N Grand Rapids, MN: 0.65″
- 3 E Wright, MN: 0.64″
- Cotton, MN: 0.60″
- Floodwood, MN: 0.60″
- To Harbors, MN: 0.59″
- Bruno, MN: 0.54″
- Embarrass, MN: 0.50″
- Spooner, WI: 0.45″
- Cook, MN: 0.43″
- Butternut, WI: 0.42″
- 25 E Ely, MN: 0.32″
- 3 S Ashland, WI: 0.12″
…Weather Summary…
Strong area of low pressure of 994mb along with a potent upper level low were over far northwest Minnesota this afternoon. This system will move very little through Saturday as it remains over northern Minnesota, but on Sunday will finally see the surface and upper level lows begin to move off to the east.
Weekend weather will feature generally mostly cloudy skies in the Northland, but some breaks in the clouds are likely, similar to what we saw on Friday. Occasional snow showers and flurries will continue through Sunday with more of a mix of rain and snow showers near Lake Superior and also in far northern Minnesota.
Note: Bursts of heavier snowfall are possible at times late tonight through Saturday evening in parts of the Northland, including near some of the larger inland lakes, but overall precipitation that falls through Sunday should remain on the light side.
Lows tonight will be in the upper 20s to lower 30s with highs Saturday in the 30s to lower 40s. Winds will be out of the south or southwest through Saturday at 10 to 20 mph with gusts to 30 mph.
Forecast for Duluth and Superior
.Tonight… Windy. Mostly cloudy. Occasional snow and rain showers. Low 31 to 35. Wind south to southwest 15 to 30 mph.
.Saturday… Windy. Mostly cloudy. Occasional snow and rain showers. High 36 to 41. Wind south to southwest 15 to 30 mph.
.Sunday… Mostly cloudy. Scattered rain or snow showers. High 39 to 43. Wind west 10 to 20 mph.
Normal temperatures for October 12
- High 53
- Low 36
- Sunrise Saturday 7:22 AM CDT
- Sunset Saturday 6:28 PM CDT
Thanks for reading!
