5:43 PM Friday, December 23, 2022
- Blizzard Warning remains in effect until 8 AM Sunday for the North Shore of Lake Superior including the cities of Two Harbors, Finland, Isabella, Lutsen, Grand Marais and Hovland.
- Blizzard Warning remains in effect until 6 PM Saturday for much of the South Shore of Lake Superior including the cities of Port Wing, Bayfield, Washburn, Ashland, Hurley and Gile.
Travel is expected to be very difficult in the blizzard warning areas. Blowing snow will significantly reduce visibility to a half mile or less at times on some roads. Strong winds may cause tree damage. Travel should be restricted to emergencies only.
Note — The WINTER STORM WARNING for Duluth and Superior has been downgraded to a Winter Weather Advisory which is in effect until Midnight Saturday night. Expect areas of blowing snow with reduced visibility with occasional brief whiteout conditions possible. Gusty winds may bring down tree branches.
Strong north to northwest winds will continue across the Northland through Christmas morning. Wind gusts of 20 to 35 mph will be common, but even stronger wind gusts of 40 to around 70 mph will continue along the North Shore of Lake Superior. Note — Wind gusts of 30 to 55 mph are expected in Duluth tonight and Christmas Eve.
LOCAL STORM REPORTS FROM DECEMBER 23, 2022
Source: NWS Duluth, Minnesota
3:45 PM — 9 miles west-southwest of Grand Marais, MN (Cook County) Reports whole trees down along Highway 61 between Grand Marais and Lutsen.
3:22 PM — 4 miles west of Grand Marais, MN (Cook County) White spruce about 50 feet tall snapped at base. Spotter reports whiteout conditions.
3:00 PM — Grand Marais, MN (Cook County) Broken large branches 3 to 6 inches in diameter from 90-year-old red pine tree.
1:20 PM — 59 mph wind gust. 3 miles north-northeast of Finland, MN (Lake County)
1:00 PM — 66 mph wind gust. 3 miles south-southwest of Hovland, MN.
12:00 PM — 55 mph wind gust. 4 miles south of Grand Portage, MN.
12:00 PM — 47 mph wind gust. 13 miles northeast of Sand Bay, WI – Devils Island (Ashland County)
11:40 AM — 48 mph wind gust. 1 mile south-southeast of Silver Bay, MN (Lake County)
10:48 AM — 50 mph wind gust. Duluth Harbor
10:26 AM — 74 mph wind gust. Bay of Grand Marais, MN (Cook County)
9:35 AM — 46 mph wind gust. 6 miles northeast of Little Marais, MN (Cook County)
9:26 AM — 71 mph wind gust. Bay of Grand Marais, MN (Cook County)
8:46 AM — 45 mph wind gust. Duluth International Airport.
7:54 AM — 64 mph wind gust. Bay of Grand Marais, MN (Cook County)
Hibbing, MN — 48 mph wind gust
Brainerd, MN — 43 mph wind gust
Ashland, WI — 34 mph wind gust
SNOW
Lake effect snow will continue tonight, and Saturday along the South Shore of Lake Superior (N-NW favored snowbelts) and gravity wave development is also expected to continue on western Lake Superior which will produce even more snow.
For northeast Minnesota expect some flurries and snow showers tonight into Saturday morning.
18z NAM 3km model radar forecast through 6 PM Saturday.
Additional snowfall accumulations through Saturday evening (6 PM)
WIND CHILL ADVISORY
Frigid temperatures and wind chills will continue into the weekend.
Temperatures will range from -5 to -15 with wind chill values of -20 to -40.
A powerful area of low pressure located east of Lake Huron early this evening will lift north while deepening even a little more as it does so.
Central pressure of the low was at 970mb/28.64 inches at 4 PM today with a little more deepening expected, with a pressure of around 966mb/28.53 inches by late tonight/early Saturday morning.
Note — Widespread reports of snow and blowing snow on the west/south side of this massive winter storm today, with heavy rain, flooding and even some severe thunderstorms (yellow outlined area on map) occurring this afternoon ahead of the low from Massachusetts to Maine.
Buffalo, New York getting destroyed once again by a massive lake effect snow event!
Blizzard Warning in effect until 7 AM Sunday. Snowfall storm totals of 4 to 5 feet with winds gusting to 70 mph!
A look at the powerful winter storm hammering the Great Lakes today via Goes-16 water vapor satellite loop (end time 5 PM CT, Friday, December 23, 2022)
54 F at Bangor, Maine compared to 31 F at Brownsville / South Padre Island, Texas late this afternoon.
Near to slightly below freezing temperatures as far south as New Orleans, Louisiana into northern Florida today.
Thanks for reading!
Tim