5:43 PM Wednesday, February 8, 2023
A cold front will move through the Northland on Thursday bringing cooler temperatures but more importantly some gusty northerly winds. A few light snow showers or flurries are also possible on Thursday but little if any snow accumulation is expected.
Temperatures on Thursday will still be above normal for this time of year but will be running about 10 to 15 degrees cooler compared to the highs from Wednesday. Highs on Thursday will range from the mid 20s to mid 30s with even cooler more seasonable temps likely on Friday with highs mostly in the low to mid 20s.
Warmer temperatures return this weekend with highs at or above freezing, and this warmth will likely persist at least into early next week.
Blustery north winds will develop across the Northland on Thursday with wind gusts of 20 to 35 mph likely.
HRRR model wind gust forecast valid 1 AM tonight to Midnight tomorrow night.
There is a chance we could see some low clouds and areas of fog develop over parts of the Northland later tonight lingering through Thursday morning.
Visibilities of a mile or less are possible in the pink areas on the animation below.
HRRR model visibility forecast through 9 AM Thursday.
Lots of blue sky and sunshine across the area today with the warmest temperatures we’ve seen in the Northland since late November!
40s were widespread in the Northland this afternoon, including 48 at Bigfork, and 46 at the Superior Airport, but it’s actually cooler in Downtown Duluth today with a temperature of 32 at Sky Harbor Airport, so that’s a sure sign that spring is approaching (cooler by the lake)
Here are a few high temperature reports from Wednesday, and the record highs for February 8th.
Ashland, WI: 49 (record high 55 set in 1991)
Hibbing, MN: 45 (record high 49 set in 1991)
International Falls, MN: 45 (record high 47 set in 1898)
Brainerd, MN: 43 (record high 53 set in 1991)
Duluth, MN: 42 (record high 52 set in 1991)
Also, of note today besides the widespread sunshine is the major lack of ice coverage on Lake Superior via Goes-16 visible satellite imagery.
Goes-16 visible satellite loop from Wednesday, February 8, 2023.
Only around 10% of Lake Superior is ice covered which is down from 15% ice coverage earlier this month. Note — Normal ice coverage in early February is around 35%.
A strong low-pressure system is lifting northeast out of the Southern Plains today.
Goes-16 water vapor loop ending 4:16 PM CT, Wednesday, February 8, 2023.
Low pressure over far northeast Oklahoma late this afternoon will move northeast reaching central Lower Michigan by Thursday evening.
Widespread precipitation which is all rain is occurring with today’s storm across parts of the Midwest into the Southern Plains.
Severe weather is possible over parts of Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi where a Tornado Watch is in effect until 9 PM Tonight.
To the north of the low-pressure track will see rain change over to heavy wet snow late tonight through Thursday with a variety of winter weather alerts in effect stretching from eastern Iowa through south-central and eastern Wisconsin into Northern Lower Michigan.
Thanks for reading!
Tim
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