Rain will move back into parts of the Northland tonight and Sunday as a cold front stretches from southwest to northeast across the region. Where the main band of showers develops, rainfall could total between 0.10 and 0.40 inches or more by Sunday afternoon, while areas northwest and southeast of the band may see little to no precipitation tonight and Sunday.
A widespread rain event is expected across the Northland from Sunday night through early Tuesday morning, with totals of 0.50 to 1 inch or more looking likely. This rain will be driven by a large-scale low-pressure system moving northeast out of the central Plains, with the low forecast to pass through south-central Minnesota on Monday.
With the low passing through southern Minnesota, the Northland will experience a cooler, stable airmass with mostly stratiform rain, though some thunder is possible in northwest Wisconsin on Monday. Additionally, gusty northeast winds near Lake Superior will develop Sunday evening into Monday, with gusts of 15 to 30 mph.
For Duluth: Rain is likely at times tonight and into Sunday, though it may ease up by Sunday afternoon. More rain is expected Sunday night and Monday, with the possibility of some fog in areas on both days.
NAM 3km model simulated radar forecast through 7 PM Monday.
By Tuesday morning, combined rainfall from the two systems is expected to bring widespread totals of 1 to over 2 inches across northeast Minnesota and northwest Wisconsin.
The past two years have been dry across most of northeast Minnesota and northwest Wisconsin, except for the black-outlined areas on the map that have received above-normal precipitation.
In Duluth, precipitation was 14.01 inches below normal combined for 2024 and 2025, but this year we’re almost on track, with only 0.03 inches below normal as of April 24. In the short term, we’re doing fine in terms of precipitation, but the bigger concern is the long-term dryness we’ve experienced over the past few years. The only real way to make up that 14-inch deficit is by keeping a wet, active pattern going for several months. Seems unlikely, but we’ll see.
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