SATURDAY UPDATE: Advisories In 12 Minnesota Counties; Ice Accumulations Are Now Possible

Those in the Northland who have been hoping for snow may get their wish this weekend as the National Weather Service issued a series of Winter Weather Advisories that cover 11 counties.

Earlier this week, meteorologists were tracking the potential for snow beginning Friday and lasting into Sunday morning and now it appears that is exactly what is going to happen. It also appears that accumulation totals could be higher in some areas than was originally expected.

That is great news for winter outdoor enthusiasts, but may not be ideal for those with weekend travel plans.

According to a Thursday Facebook post from the National Weather Service in Duluth, widespread snow is expected to develop Friday afternoon into Friday night across the Northland.

They anticipate that most will receive between 3 to 5 inches, however locally higher amounts of 6 to 7 inches are possible in the higher terrain just inland from Lake Superior.

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The National Weather Service issued three Winter Weather Advisories to cover the anticipated areas of impact. SATURDAY UPDATE: The advisories were adjusted Saturday morning to adjust additional snow accumulations. Two of the advisories now include the possibility of ice accumulations of a light glaze.

Winter Weather Advisory #1

The first Winter Weather Advisory is for North St. Louis, Northern Cook and Lake, Central St. Louis and Carlton, and South St. Louis Counties. It is in effect now until 6:00 a.m. on Sunday, January 7.

Here are the details:

• What: Mixed precipitation. Additional snow accumulations of 1 to 5 inches and ice accumulations of a light glaze. Higher snowfall along the North Shore, mainly between Silver Bay and Grand Portage. The freezing drizzle will be more likely along the Iron Range and south.
• Where: North St. Louis, Northern Cook and Lake, Central St. Louis, Central Carlton, and South St. Louis Counties. This includes the cities of Duluth, Ely, Isabella, and Hibbing. It also includes the Tribal Lands of the Fond du Lac Band and the Bois Forte Band, Lake Vermilion and, Nett Lake areas.
• Impacts: Plan on slippery road conditions.

Winter Weather Advisory #2

A second Winter Weather Advisory is for the Southern Lake and Southern Cook Counties, where snowfall accumulations were initially expected to be the highest. It is in effect from now until 6:00 a.m. on Sunday, January 7.

Here are the details:

• What: Mixed precipitation. Additional snow accumulations of 2 to 4 inches and ice accumulations of a light glaze.
• Where: Southern Lake and Southern Cook Counties, including the cities of Two Harbors, Silver Bay, and Grand Marais. This also includes the Tribal Lands of the Grand Portage Reservation.
• Impacts: Plan on slippery road conditions.

Winter Weather Advisory #3

The third Winter Weather Advisory is for Koochiching, North Itasca, South Itasca, and Northern Aitkin counties. It is in effect now until 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 6.

Here are the details:

• What: Snow. Additional snow accumulations of up to two inches.
• Where: Koochiching, North Itasca, South Itasca, and Northern Aitkin Counties, including the cities of International Falls, Bigfork, Grand Rapids, and Hill City. It also includes the Tribal Lands of the Mille Lacs Band, Big Sandy Lake area, and the Bois Forte Band, Deer Creek area.
• Impacts: Plan on slippery road conditions.

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The National Weather Service urges everyone with travel plans in impact areas to slow down and use caution while driving. Remember, you can always get the latest road conditions by calling 5 1 1. You can also check road conditions through 511MN.org.

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