Brandon Weatherz: Travel deteriorates today

Travel will deteriorate today as wintry mix turns to a steady, accumulating snow, and winds pick up to gusts near 25 mph. An initial glaze of ice is possible in the morning, then snow takes over from the west through the day. Weather Headlines are in effect across the region with the timing depending on location, indicating the timeframe of concern for travel for each part of the Northland.

A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect for Cass, Crow Wing, Aitkin, Itasca, and Koochiching County from 10 am today until 7 am Friday. 10 am is when the Winter Storm Warning begins for St. Louis, Carlton, Pine, Burnett, Washburn, Sawyer, Douglas, and Bayfield Co. The Warning expires at 7 am Friday for Pine, Burnett, Washburn, and Sawyer Co. It lingers for Carlton and St. Louis Co. until 1 pm, and Douglas and Bayfield County keep the Warning until 1 am Saturday. At 1 pm, the Winter Storm Warning kicks in for Lake and Cook Co. where it continues until 10 pm Friday. Ashland and Iron County also have the Winter Storm Warning beginning at 1 pm today, and it lasts the longest here, until 7 am Saturday.

The bulk of accumulation will fall today and tonight. Snow lingers Friday with light additional accumulation in most areas. The exception will be the Arrowhead where a few additional inches fall during the day Friday, and along the South Shore where lake effect lingers into Saturday morning.

The areas in the Winter Weather Advisory are on track for a general 3-6”. 4-8” reaches from the Iron Range down into Carlton Co., across the Twin Ports, and for northwest Wisconsin away from the South Shore. Expect lower amounts immediately along the North Shore. Localized areas of northern St. Louis, Lake, and Cook Co. could see up to 12”. The South Shore will see a widespread 6-12” with localized amounts surpassing 12” in Douglas and Bayfield Co., and localized amounts surpassing 18” for Ashland, Iron, and Gogebic Co.

Today: Wintry mix in the morning transitions to a steady snow. High 34. NNE wind 10-20 mph. Chance of snow: 100%. Accumulation of 2-4” expected.

Tonight: Snowy and blustery. Low 13. N wind 15-20 mph. Chance of snow: 60%. Accumulation of 2-4” expected.

Tomorrow: Mostly cloudy and breezy with snow showers. High 20. N wind 15-20 mph. Chance of snow: 64%. Accumulation less than one inch expected.

Saturday: Mostly cloudy and breezy. High 24. NNW wind 15-20 mph.

Sunday: Mostly sunny and breezy. High 32. W wind 10-20 mph.

Monday: Partly cloudy. High 35. S wind 5-15 mph.

Tuesday: Mostly cloudy with a chance for snow showers. High 35. E wind 5-15 mph. Chance of snow: 30%

Wednesday: Cloudy with a chance for rain and snow. High 38. Chance for precip: 30%