Winter Storm Warning Issued for Northern Minnesota and Northwest Wisconsin Through Friday

Alert Details

The National Weather Service in Duluth has issued a Winter Storm Warning for portions of northern Minnesota and northwest Wisconsin. The warning is in effect from 1:00 PM Thursday, March 12, until 1:00 PM CDT Friday, March 13.

Affected Areas

The warning covers a broad geographic area including:

• Minnesota: Koochiching, North Itasca, Carlton, St. Louis, and Northern Cook and Lake Counties.
• Wisconsin: Ashland, Bayfield, Douglas, and Iron Counties.

Specific locations impacted include the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, Madeline Island, Voyageurs National Park, and the entire Boundary Waters. The warning also encompasses several Tribal Lands, including the Fond du Lac Band, the northwestern area of the Lac du Flambeau Band, the Red Cliff Band, the Bad River Reservation, and the Bois Forte Band (Nett Lake, Deer Creek, and Lake Vermilion areas).

Expected Conditions

Heavy snow is expected throughout the region, creating hazardous conditions.

• Accumulations: Most areas will see total snow accumulations between 4 and 8 inches. Higher totals between 6 and 12 inches are expected for northern Iron County and the higher terrain of the North Shore.
• Wind: Wind gusts are expected to reach as high as 35 mph.
• Snowfall Rates: Snowfall rates will be intense at times, possibly exceeding 1 inch per hour during Thursday afternoon and evening.

Timeline

The Winter Storm Warning begins at 1:00 PM Thursday and continues through 1:00 PM CDT Friday. The hazardous conditions are expected to significantly impact both the Thursday evening and Friday morning commutes.

What You Should Do

Travel could be very difficult. If you must travel, the National Weather Service recommends keeping an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency. Residents should monitor road conditions by calling 511 or visiting the following websites:

• Minnesota: www.511mn.org
• Wisconsin: www.511wi.gov