Blizzard Warning Issued for Northeast Minnesota; Whiteout Conditions Expected Through Thursday

Alert Details

The National Weather Service in Duluth has issued a Blizzard Warning for portions of Northeast Minnesota. The warning is currently in effect and remains active through midday Thursday.

Affected Areas

The warning covers Carlton and South St. Louis counties, as well as Southern Cook and Southern Lake counties along the North Shore. This area includes the Tribal Lands of the Grand Portage Reservation and the Fond du Lac Band.

What You Should Do

Travel should be restricted to emergencies only. If travel is absolutely necessary, residents are urged to carry a winter survival kit. If you become stranded, stay with your vehicle to remain safe. For the latest road conditions in Minnesota, call 511 or visit www.511mn.org. Officials specifically warn against travel along Highway 61 on the North Shore unless it is an emergency.

Expected Conditions

Blizzard conditions are expected to produce additional snow accumulations of 1 to 4 inches around the Twin Ports. Higher terrain along the North Shore could see significantly higher totals ranging from 5 to 10 inches. A light glaze of ice accumulation is also possible. Wind gusts are forecast to reach as high as 50 mph, which may lead to whiteout conditions and downed power lines. The weight of snow on tree limbs combined with strong winds may cause sporadic power outages.

Timeline

The Blizzard Warning is effective immediately and is scheduled to expire at 12:00 PM CST on Thursday, February 19.