A potent winter storm is barreling toward the northland, bringing dense fog, the threat of freezing rain, and perhaps over a foot of snow to some areas. A Dense Fog Advisory is in effect until midnight tonight for Pine and Aitkin Counties, and until 6 a.m. on Sunday for the southern portions of St. Louis, Lake, and Cook Counties.
Midday Sunday, a cold front will arrive, ushering in heavy snow and the possibility of freezing rain during the transition. Winds are expected to gust up to 25 mph in the afternoon.
Snowfall will continue through Sunday night, tapering off on Monday. Accumulations will vary significantly across the region, with 1-3 inches predicted for Koochiching County and northern St. Louis County. Central St. Louis County, Itasca, Lake, and Cook Counties coudl see 3-6 inches, while the remainder of the Northland and areas along the South Shore are forecast to receive over half a foot, with some locations exceeding a foot.
The national Weather Service has issued several warnings. A Blizzard Warning is in effect for Ashland and Iron Counties from noon Sunday to noon Monday, and for Gogebic and Ontonagon Counties from 3 p.m. Sunday to 3 p.m.Monday.
A Winter Storm Warning is in effect from noon Sunday to 9 a.m. Monday for Sawyer, Douglas, Bayfield, and price Counties; noon Sunday to 3 a.m. Monday for southern Lake and Cook Counties; and 9 a.m. Sunday to 6 a.m. monday for Pine,Carlton,South St. Louis, Burnett, and Washburn counties. A Winter Weather Advisory has been issued for koochiching, Itasca, and northern St. Louis, Lake, and Cook Counties.
Looking ahead, cooler temperatures are on the way. Monday’s highs will be in the single digits to low teens, accompanied by a strong northwest wind. New Year’s Eve will be frigid, with temperatures dipping into the negative teens Wednesday night, and only reaching the single digits on New Year’s Day 2026.
Tonight
There is a 20 percent chance of rain. Widespread dense fog is expected, mainly between 9 p.m. and 1 a.m. Otherwise, cloudy, with a steady temperature around 33. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph after midnight.
Sunday
A slight chance of rain before 9 a.m., then snow, potentially heavy at times. Patchy, blowing snow is absolutely possible after 3 p.m., along with patchy fog before noon. The temperature will fall to around 18 by 5 p.m. Blustery conditions are expected, with a northwest wind of 5 to 10 mph increasing to 15 to 25 mph in the afternoon, and gusts up to 40 mph. The chance of precipitation is 80 percent.
Monday
Patchy, blowing snow is likely before 1 p.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 11. Windy, with a northwest wind of 15 to 25 mph, and gusts up to 35 mph.
Tuesday
Snow is likely, mainly before noon.Mostly cloudy, with a high near 21.southwest wind of 5 to 10 mph, with gusts up to 20 mph. The chance of precipitation is 60 percent.
Wednesday
A chance of snow, mainly after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 5. Northwest wind around 10 mph, with gusts up to 20 mph.
New Year’s Day
sunny and cold, with a high near 2. Northwest wind around 10 mph, with gusts up to 20 mph.
Friday
Partly sunny, with a high near 8.West wind of 5 to 10 mph,with gusts up to 15 mph.
Saturday
A slight chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 15. Northwest wind of 5 to 10 mph becoming northeast in the afternoon, with gusts up to 15 mph.
