Winter has returned as colder weather makes a comeback.

5:54 PM Monday, December 30, 2024

• A colder weather pattern is expected, with a gradual decrease in temperatures for the remainder of the week.
• Subzero low temperatures to return starting later this week.
• Even colder temperatures expected for next week.
• A few snow showers and flurries the next few days <1 inch accumulation.

February 13, 2021, marked the last occurrence of temperatures reaching at least -30 degrees in Duluth. Prior to that, temperatures fell to at least -30 twice in late January of 2019. The previous instance before that was in January 2004. The takeaway from this is that temperatures of 30 below zero do not occur frequently in Duluth, and it’s unlikely will see temperatures reach -30 degrees in Duluth during next week’s polar vortex.

Snow Depth

One factor that may mitigate the severity of the cold weather is the lack of snow cover in much of Minnesota. The absence of a deep snowpack may result in slightly warmer temperatures than would be expected if there were a substantial snowpack across the state.

Siberian Air

Some big-time cold over parts of Russia, Alaska, and the Northwest Territories in Canada, with temperatures in the 20s and 30s below zero, with Yakutsk, Russia, reporting a temperature of -58 degrees early Tuesday morning. This is part of the Arctic air mass, which will begin to drop south into the Northland later this week and especially next week.

Dense Fog

One more night of dense fog is expected, but it will cover a smaller area than we have seen recently.

Note – The upcoming colder weather will prevent any issues from fog.

Parts of northwest Wisconsin are expected to experience widespread dense fog tonight, with visibility reduced to one-quarter mile or less.