Near normal temps on Friday; 30s this weekend; brief arctic blast possible middle of next week; a few minor snow events lined up through next week

Still looking at a chance for a brief arctic blast which may affect the Northland sometime next week, but overall next week looks to have near to slightly warmer than average temperatures in northeast Minnesota and northwest Wisconsin. Note: Warmest temps compared to average farther to our south/east with the coldest temps compared to average found in northwest Canada.

Source: 12z European ensemble model 1.2.20; https://weathermodels.com/

Some snow on the way for Friday in western-southern portions of Minnesota with accumulations ranging from around 1 to 3 inches. This system shouldn’t bring any snow to the Northland as it passes too far to the south, but I can’t rule out a few flurries in far southern portions of the Northland Friday afternoon.

Note: Radar forecast below valid from 6 AM to 11 PM Friday. Blue colors=Snow.

Source: 18z NAM-WRF model 1.2.20; https://weathermodels.com/

Long range computer models have been hinting at a more active, potentially snowier weather pattern developing across the upper Midwest and Great Lakes toward mid-month as frigid arctic air spills south out of Canada and into the Rockies while warm air covers the southern/eastern US, this type of setup is typically quite active between the arctic air to the west and warm air to the east, where this battle zone sets up will determine how snowy it is in our area toward mid-month. Stay tuned.

Source: 12z European ensemble model 1.2.20

Low temperature forecast for Friday morning, January 3, 2020. Source: https://graphical.weather.gov/

High temperature forecast for Friday, January 3.

…Weather Summary…

Overall it’ll be a fairly active weather pattern through next week, but we’re not looking at any major winter storm affecting the Northland through next week, instead the potential exists for several fast moving low pressure systems to affect our area with occasional bursts of snow with generally light accumulations (1-2″ type events)

The first such system comes on Friday, but this one will remain south of our area, the second one comes Saturday night/Sunday, this one tracks farther north and should bring a little snow to most of the Northland late this weekend.

A third and fourth system are on the horizon for early next week, and for late next week respectively (timing could change a bit)

With the rapid succession of lows, this won’t allow any sustained arctic airmasses or very warm airmasses to linger in our area.

Lows tonight will range from the single digits to the 20s with highs Friday in the mid teens to mid 20s.

West to northwest winds tonight 10 to 20 mph with winds out of the northwest to north on Friday at 10 to 20 mph.

Forecast for Duluth and Superior

.Tonight… Mostly cloudy. Few flurries possible. Low 10 to 15. Wind west 10 to 15 mph.

.Friday… Partly to mostly cloudy. High 22 to 27. Wind northwest 10 to 20 mph.

.Saturday… Partly to mostly sunny. High 30 to 35. Wind west to southwest 10 to 20 mph.

Thanks for reading!

Tim