5:33 PM Wednesday, March 9, 2022
Widespread subzero temperatures are likely in the Northland tonight with lows ranging from around -5 to -20 degrees, and will likely see temperatures drop below zero again Friday night, but this could very well be the last time this winter that we see subzero temperatures in the Northland.
The average date for last subzero temperature at Duluth is March 9. (1991-2020 climate period)
Normal highs in the Northland on March 9 are in the low to mid 30s, today’s highs were only in the teens to around 20 degrees.
Temperatures at 3 PM today were running -15 to -20 degrees colder than average in the Northland.
We’ve got another clipper like system along with a strong mid/upper-level trough which will move SE across the Northland late Thursday night into Friday — There won’t be much snow with this system, but we will likely see some snow showers and flurries at times late Thursday night into Friday along with more gusty winds on Friday.
Signs of spring next week!
Let’s face it every winter is long in the Northland, but this winter seems like it’s been even longer. Not sure why that is though? Maybe it’s because we never really had any real thaw in January or February, so it’s nice to see at least some hints of spring like weather finally showing up on the computer models as we get into next week.
Computer models are showing a pattern change for next week as we get rid of the upper-level trough affecting the upper Midwest this week and replace it with a ridge. How warm we get in the Northland next week TBD, but at the very least I think will see high temps in the 40s ~March 15-20, with even a shot for a few 50s mid to late next week. It’ll be even warmer across southern Minnesota next week with highs in the 60s on a few days.
March 15 is the average date for first 50-degree temperature at Duluth (1991-2020 climate period) Last year’s first 50 was on March 8.
Duluth averages 4 days at or above 50 in March.
500mb forecast valid March 15-20, 2022.
Orange colors=Ridges/generally quiet weather
Blue colors=Troughs/stormier weather
Seeing plenty of cloud streets or horizontal convective rolls showing up on visible satellite imagery on Lake Superior this afternoon. Cloud streets are formed by convection rolls of rising warm air and sinking cool air (see image below)
Also of note per visible satellite imagery is the lack of ice over the far western portion of Lake Superior today. A thicker ice pack is showing up along the South Shore of Lake Superior today.
Thanks for reading!
Tim
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