Brandon Weatherz: Wintry mix and strong winds on the way

All eyes remain on a system bringing a number of impacts to the Northland beginning Tuesday and ending Thursday morning. A Winter Storm Watch is in effect across northeast Minnesota and for Douglas and Bayfield Co. from 9 am Tuesday until 7 am Thursday. As a region, we’ll see rain, freezing rain, heavy snow, and high winds from this storm. Travel will be impacted by ice and snow accumulation and reduced visibility with whiteout and blizzard conditions possible.

Before the larger system arrives, a weaker one has brought light snow over parts of northern Minnesota overnight into this morning. We’ll continue to see a few snow showers today, mostly north of Duluth, with amounts staying under an inch. Winds are out of the west today, then a strong east wind begins developing overnight. This will give the North Shore the chance for terrain and lake enhanced snow by early Tuesday morning.

Widespread snow moves in from the southwest tomorrow morning and afternoon with widespread accumulation sticking in time for a slick evening commute. Tuesday evening and overnight is when snow turns to wintry mix and freezing rain from the south. All the while, east winds will now be sustained near 30 mph with gusts near Lake Superior as high as 60 mph. Waves near the shorelines will build to 15 to 20 feet. By the Wednesday morning commute, widespread ice accumulation greater than 0.1” of an inch is possible, especially for South St. Louis, Carlton, Douglas, and Bayfield Co.

Wednesday will feature a mix of rain, freezing rain, and snow, gradually turning to snow from the west through the day. Winds will remain gusty and continue to allow for blowing snow, but a shift from east to southwest will allow waves to gradually recede.

Today: Mostly cloudy. High 40. W wind 5-15 mph.

Tonight: Cloudy and breezy with snow showers. Low 24. ENE wind 15-20 mph. Chance of snow: 40%

Tomorrow: Cloudy and windy with snow. Temp steady near 30. ENE wind 25-35 mph. Chance of snow: 90%. Accumulation of 2 to 4 inches expected.

Tomorrow night: Wintry mix of snow, rain, and freezing rain. Low 28. ENE wind 25-35 mph. Chance of precip: 90%. Total snow and ice accumulation of 1-3” expected.

Wednesday: A wintry mix in the morning gradually transitions to snow. High 34. E wind shifting to SW 20-30 mph. Chance of precip: 90%. Additional snow expected to remain under an inch.

Thursday: Mostly cloudy and breezy. Slight chance for snow in the morning. High 32.

Friday: Mostly sunny. High 38. E wind 5-10 mph.

Saturday: Mostly cloudy. High 45. E wind 5-15 mph.

Sunday: Cloudy with a chance for showers in the afternoon. High 47. W wind 10-15 mph. Chance of rain: 30%