Duluth’s first official freeze of the season continues to be delayed, with temperatures still failing to reach 32 degrees or lower at the airport this month. The last time the first freeze occurred this late was in 2021 (October 21), while 2019 holds a more recent late-season mark of October 24. Forecast guidance suggests both of those dates may be surpassed this year. Considering Duluth’s average first freeze date is October 1, the 2026 season is shaping up to be notably late.
Below is a list of years when the first freeze happened on or after October 26.
1877: October 30
1882: November 1
1890: October 26
1894: November 5
1900: ***November 6***
1931: November 1
***=Latest first freeze on record dating back to 1874
One interesting wrinkle in all of this is that the National Weather Service office was located in downtown Duluth until March 1, 1950, when it moved to the airport. However, weather observations continued to be taken downtown until October 1, 1950. As a result, all of Duluth’s latest first freezes on record occurred when official observations were still being made closer to Lake Superior, where the lake’s moderating influence often delayed the onset of freezing temperatures.
The lowest temperatures recorded so far this month
International Falls, MN: 24 on the 19th
Hibbing, MN: 25 on the 19th
Ashland, WI: 26 on the 16th
Brainerd, MN: 28 on the 19th
Duluth, MN: 33 on the 17th and 16th
The number of nights with temperatures at or below 32 degrees so far this month, up to the 19th, along with the average number of lows at or below 32 degrees for October.
International Falls
Total: 6
Normal: 16
Hibbing
Total: 6
Normal: 16
Brainerd
Total: 3
Normal: 13
Duluth
Total: 0
Normal: 10
…Temperature Data for October 2026…
So far this month, average temperatures in the Northland have been about 4 to 5 degrees warmer than usual through the 18th.
Temperature anomalies in the Northland for October 2026 through the 18th.
Hibbing: +5.7 degrees
Duluth: +4.5 degrees
International Falls: +4.4 degrees
Ashland: +4.3 degrees
Brainerd: +4.0 degrees
Precipitation Data for October 2026 through the 18th
October precipitation departures from normal across the Northland through October 18, 2026.
Brainerd: -1.51 inches
Duluth: -0.93 inches
Hibbing: -0.79 inches
Ashland: -0.45 inches
International Falls: -0.14 inches
The far western parts of the region, like the Brainerd area, have experienced very little rain this month, with only 7% of their usual precipitation by the 18th. Conditions have been somewhat better in other parts of the Northland, where International Falls has received about 90% of its normal precipitation through the same date.
Percentage of normal precipitation for October 2026 up to the 18th
International Falls: 90% of normal
Ashland: 77% of normal
Duluth: 49% of normal
Hibbing: 47% of normal
Brainerd: 7% of normal
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