Cloudy. A chance of light snow in the evening...then snow likely after midnight. Lows 17 to 22. East winds 10 to 20 mph...except east 20 to 30 mph near Lake Superior. Chance of snow 60 percent.
Thursday
Breezy...snow. Snow accumulation of 4 to 6 inches. Highs 25 to 30. East winds 15 to 25 mph...except 20 to 30 mph near Lake Superior.
Windy...snow. Areas of blowing snow. Heavy snow accumulations. Lows 23 to 28. East winds 20 to 30 mph.
Christmas Day
Breezy. Areas of blowing snow in the morning. Snow. Additional snow accumulations. Highs 28 to 33. East winds 15 to 25 mph decreasing to 10 to 15 mph in the afternoon. Near Lake Superior...east winds 30 to 35 mph becoming northeast 20 to 30 mph in the afternoon.
Friday Night
Light snow. Lows 14 to 19.
Saturday
Cloudy with a 50 percent chance of light snow. Highs 17 to 22.
Saturday Night
Mostly cloudy with a 30 percent chance of light snow. Lows 4 to 9.
... Winter Storm Warning in effect from 6 am Thursday to 6 am CST Saturday...
The National Weather Service in Duluth has issued a Winter Storm Warning for heavy snow and blowing snow... which is in effect from 6 am Thursday to 6 am CST Saturday. The Winter Storm Watch is no longer in effect.
* Snow is expected to begin across central and northeastern Minnesota... including Duluth... Grand Rapids... the Iron Range and Cloquet during the morning on Christmas eve... and then spread northward toward International Falls and Ely. The snow is expected to become heavy at times on Christmas eve and continuing into Christmas night.
* Storm total snow accumulations of at least 10 to 14 inches are expected... with some locally heavier amounts likely.
* East to northeast winds from 15 to 30 mph are expected... with some gusts to 35 mph for areas adjacent to Lake Superior. The winds and falling snow may result in blowing and drifting snow and limited visibilities.
* Road conditions will deteriorate rapidly on Christmas eve day. Travel is expected to become hazardous during the day... and continue at least through Christmas night.
Precautionary/preparedness actions...
A Winter Storm Warning for heavy snow and blowing snow means the combination of strong winds and falling and blowing snow will cause dangerously low visibility and drifting snow. Snow covered roads... and dangerous travel conditions can be expected. If you must travel... use extreme caution and allow extra time to reach your destination.
It should also be emphasized this storm will affect a very large part of the central United States... including Minnesota... much of the Dakotas... Iowa and Wisconsin. Anyone with Holiday travel plans across the region is urged to stay current with the latest weather information regarding this developing storm.