We’ve got a real soaker on the way next week as a slow-moving low-pressure system tracks east-northeast out of the Rockies. The system is expected to bring widespread rainfall to the Northland from Monday into Tuesday, with some wrap-around showers potentially lingering into Wednesday and Thursday.
At this time, all precipitation is expected to fall as rain, as temperatures should remain warm enough to prevent any frozen precipitation from developing.
Although it will likely turn a bit breezy, especially near Lake Superior, with next week’s system, winds do not appear particularly impressive at this time. Easterly wind gusts are generally expected to range from 15 to 25 mph Monday into Tuesday, though I’ll continue to monitor upcoming model trends to see if stronger winds become more likely.
Early to mid-next week, much of the Northland could see rainfall totals reaching 1-2 inches or more.
Blend of models total precipitation through 7 AM Wednesday, 11/4/2026, shown below.
Before next week’s system arrives, it looks like scattered showers could move northeast through parts of the Northland from Saturday afternoon into Saturday night. Rainfall in this round may range from about 0.1 to 0.25 inches, with the possibility of higher amounts in some areas.
NSSL HT model simulated forecast for Saturday afternoon, 10/31/2026, shown below.
Duluth experienced its first official freeze this morning, October 30, 2026, with a temperature of 30 degrees at the airport. This year’s first freeze arrived about four weeks later than usual, as the average date for hitting 32 degrees is October 1st.
Since the National Weather Service moved its official observing site from downtown Duluth to Duluth International Airport in 1950, this year’s first freeze is the latest on record, breaking the previous mark of October 24, 2019.
Prior to 1950, observations were taken closer to Lake Superior in downtown Duluth. Including those records, this year’s first freeze ranks tied for fifth latest, while the all-time latest first freeze remains November 6, 1900.
To put this year’s late freeze in perspective, Duluth recorded its first freeze on October 7 in 2025, almost three weeks earlier than this year.
October has been warm in the regions shaded orange and red on the map, while areas in yellow and green have experienced near-normal to slightly below-normal temperatures.
In northeast Minnesota and northwest Wisconsin, average monthly temperatures for October 2026 are running about 5 to 6 degrees warmer than usual.
This month has seen mostly warm days, with 80% being warmer than average and only 13% cooler than average.
Duluth Daily Average Temperature Departure for October 2026 up to the 30th.
Precipitation has been below average this month in much of northeast Minnesota and northwest Wisconsin.
Percent of normal precipitation from October 1 – October 29, 2026
Ashland, WI: 105% of normal
Duluth, MN: 69% of normal
International Falls, MN: 69% of normal
Hibbing, MN: 56% of normal
Brainerd, MN: 29% of normal
