Duluth NWS: Significant Snowfall & Cold Temps Before Christmas

Update 7:00 AM 12/23/20

The National Weather Service in Duluth has increased the snow totals expected for the region. Most areas will receive more than 6 inches of snow. The Twin Ports is expected to see 8-12" now by Thursday. Even stronger winds are predicted now with gusts up to 50mph. This could quickly turn into a blizzard. A winter storm warning has been issued until Midnight Dec 24.

The National Weather Service Duluth's Office is updating the Northland on what we are expecting with a storm system that is arriving late Tuesday night in parts of the region. According to their models, they expect to see freezing rain and drizzle develop North and along the Iron Range tonight. The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm watch that begins at 6am on Wednesday December 23 and expires on 12:00am on December 24.

They expect accumulating snow will begin Wednesday and Wednesday evening. The forecast is looking more likely that we will see some significant snowfall, but it is too early to tell exactly how much. They do say it could be more than 4 inches of snow across a large portion of the region.

We spoke with WDIO meteorologist Brandon Weathers this morning, and he also believed that it was looking like greater than 4 inches for The Northland. Once again, we'll get a better idea as the storm approaches. He also forecasted winds could be up to 25 mph with this storm. If snow is heavy with strong winds, whiteout conditions could occur.

Temperatures will plummet following this system into Wednesday night. Lows are expected to be just below zero on Wednesday night and only warming to single digits on Thursday, Christmas Eve. It then appears as we continue through the weekend that winter has definitely settled in with temperatures in the teens and twenties.

The storm could leave roads in less than ideal conditions for holiday travel, so plan accordingly.