From late Wednesday night to early Friday morning, persistent freezing drizzle and dense fog caused major issues in parts of Duluth. Since Thursday, numerous power outages have been reported, and the weight of ice and frost on trees has caused some damage around the city. As temperatures rose this afternoon, much of the ice on the trees melted, sending chunks of it falling from branches and power lines.
Local Storm Reports for March 6, 2026
- 10:45 AM: Freezing Rain 1.50 inch. 1 E of Duluth, MN. 1 to 3 inches of ice accumulation from persistent freezing drizzle and riming ice on east side of Duluth Lift Bridge structure. The City of Duluth has closed the east, or lake side pedestrian walkway.
- 10:00 AM: Freezing Rain 0.05 inch. National Weather Service Duluth, MN (St. Louis County) 5 inch diameter tree limb down at NWS Office.
- 8:30 AM: Freezing Rain 1.00 inch. Wrenshall, MN (Carlton County) Rime ice deposition of 2 inches on the downwind side of a branch.
Late tonight into early Saturday morning, a quick burst of snow could hit parts of northeast Minnesota and northwest Wisconsin, with most spots seeing less than an inch. However, a small area—possibly including parts of northwest Wisconsin and far eastern Minnesota—might get around an inch or a little more of snow by early Saturday.
Note: If it does snow, it probably won’t last long, though it could come down heavily for a brief time.
For Duluth: Expect rain or a wintry mix this evening, changing to snow for a few hours early Saturday morning. The precipitation should wrap up between 5 and 7 AM, with up to an inch of snow possible by 7 AM Saturday.
HRRR model simulated radar forecast through 10 AM Saturday.
As of late Friday afternoon, there are still about 25 power outages reported in the Duluth area.
A quick burst of colder air will move east from western Minnesota late tonight into Saturday morning, bringing temperatures in Duluth down into the 20s early Saturday.
This afternoon, temperatures ranged from the upper teens to lower 20s in northwest Minnesota, while southeast Minnesota enjoyed readings in the 50s.
In Duluth, winds will shift to the northwest and pick up speed, with gusts between 15 and 30 mph later tonight into Saturday morning. If ice remains on the trees as the winds strengthen, it could bring down branches or even whole trees, possibly causing scattered power outages.
HRRR model wind gust forecast through 9 AM Saturday.
Colder, brighter-colored cloud tops are starting to appear in central Minnesota early this evening, signaling some convective precipitation that could bring isolated thunder. So, don’t be surprised if a few thunderstorms pop up tonight, especially in northwest Wisconsin and eastern Minnesota.
Goes-19 sandwich satellite loop ending 5:46 PM CT Friday, March 6, 2026.
In the warmer part of today’s system, tornado watches are in effect for parts of the central and southern Plains until 10 PM tonight.
…Looking ahead to next week…
Computer models are still working to agree on a forecast for next week, but there have been some signs pointing to a possible snow event affecting parts of northeast Minnesota and northwest Wisconsin around next Tuesday or Wednesday, with another potential system sometime next weekend. Stay tuned.
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