On Monday, scattered showers and thunderstorms moved east-southeast across the region, bringing heavy downpours to parts of northeast Minnesota. Areas north of Duluth received half an inch or more of rain, while a separate corridor of heavier rain developed from west-central to central Minnesota.
It was a close call for Duluth Monday evening, with heavier rain just missing the city. While areas to the north were fortunate to get some much-needed rain, many in the Twin Ports only experienced a brief, intense shower, especially on the north and northeast sides, which might have been frustrating for those hoping for more relief.
Updated precipitation stats for Duluth, MN
Month to date: 0.47″
Departure: -1.67″
Since June 1: 9.44″
Departure: -1.01″
Since January 1: 17.73″
Departure: -2.04″
The bigger issue, however, is that over the past couple of years, dating back to 2024, Duluth has experienced a precipitation deficit of more than 16 inches, currently at -16.05″.
Note: Rainfall totals on the north and northeast sides of Duluth ranged from 0.02 to 0.15 inches Monday evening, while the south side received little to no rain. In the Palmers area, northeast of Duluth, rainfall measured between 0.25 and 0.40 inches.
Rainfall Reports for August 17, 2026
- Chisholm, MN: 1.99″
- Iron Junction, MN: 1.69″
- Buhl, MN: 1.16″
- Eveleth, MN: 0.93″
- Nashwauk, MN: 0.65″
- Aurora, MN: 0.52″
- Hibbing, MN: 0.47″
- Grand Rapids, MN: 0.41″
- Palmers, MN: 0.40″
- Silver Bay, MN: 0.35″
- Odanah, WI: 0.29″
- Hinckley, MN: 0.29″
- French River, MN: 0.25″
- Grantsburg, WI: 0.24″
- Two Harbors, MN: 0.23″
- Schroeder, MN: 0.21″
- Bayfield, WI: 0.18″
- Siren, WI: 0.17″
- Ashland, WI: 0.17″
- Danbury, WI: 0.16″
- Meadowlands, MN: 0.13″
- Ely, MN: 0.13″
- Maple, WI: 0.13″
- Floodwood, MN: 0.10″
- Hermantown, MN: 0.09″
- Poplar, WI: 0.07″
- Spooner, WI: 0.07″
- Willow River, MN: 0.07″
- Embarrass, MN: 0.05″
- Babbitt, MN: 0.05″
- Trego Lake, WI: 0.05″
- Brainerd, MN: 0.04″
- Hayward, WI: 0.04″
- Winter, WI: 0.04″
- Shell Lake, WI: 0.04″
- Duluth Airport: 0.04″
- Isabella, MN: 0.04″
- Hog Creek, MN: 0.04″
- Minong, WI: 0.04″
- Winton, MN: 0.03″
- Orr, MN: 0.02″
- Littlefork, MN: 0.02″
- Duluth Sky Harbor Airport: 0.02″
- Saginaw, MN: 0.01″
- Northome, MN: 0.01″
- Grand Marais, MN: 0.01″
- Clam Lake, WI: 0.01″
This effectively captures the typical summer rainfall patterns. Notice the distinct corridors that experienced heavier rainfall on Monday: one over parts of Nebraska, another over parts of South Dakota, and a third over parts of Minnesota. Some areas received significant rain, while others were largely missed.
Local Storm Reports from August 17, 2026
6:44 PM: Thunderstorm Wind Damage. 4 ENE Blackberry, MN (Itasca County). Several healthy small tree branches down. Diameters ranging from 1 to 2 inches.
6:10 PM: Thunderstorm Wind Damage. Mountain Iron, MN (St. Louis County). A white spruce tree snapped off approximately 3 to 4 feet up from the ground. The trunk is 30 plus inches in diameter.
6:04 PM: Thunderstorm Wind Damage. 2 W Iron Junction, MN (St. Louis County). A few branches were down.
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