FXUS63 KDLH 212344 AFDDLH Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Duluth MN 644 PM CDT Sat Mar 21 2026 .KEY MESSAGES... - A wintry mix will move in tonight and transition to snow showers late with possibly a localized snow band near the Twin Ports. - An active pattern continues next week with oscillating warm and cool temperatures, with light liquid and frozen precipitation chances sprinkled through the forecast. Maybe something more organized Tue/Wed next week. && .DISCUSSION... Issued at 223 PM CDT Sat Mar 21 2026 About a 40 degree temperature gradient across our forecast area with the first 70s of the season draped across our south; meanwhile, the north is melting out from a couple of inches of snow from this morning with temperatures only in the 30s. A fast moving clipper system will impact the Northland tonight as a cold front sags south across the region. Expect scattered rain showers to transition into a wintry mix and eventually snow showers as cooler air filters in from the north with winds turning to the northwest for most behind the cold front except near Lake Superior. Heading into tonight, a frontogenesis band trailing the cold front will increase precipitation chances, especially across northwest Wisconsin. In addition, a convergence band is expected to set up near Lake Superior, making localized accumulating snow showers possible overnight. The Twin Ports and down the I-35 corridor will be most favored for this localized lake enhanced snow activity. Conditions will be noticeably cooler on Sunday in the wake of the frontal passage. High temperatures will drop back down into the 30s and lower 40s across our region. While a few light snow showers or flurries may linger in the Arrowhead and near the lake early in the day, surface high pressure will gradually build in, leading to dry and quiet weather for the afternoon. Looking ahead to next week, forecast models are in general agreement on an active and progressive pattern, though the exact specifics remain a bit uncertain. We will see an oscillation between warm and cool temperatures throughout the week. The next decent precipitation chance arrives Tue/Wed as a larger area of low pressure/s cross the Northland bringing some precipitation. The GFS ensembles are a little more bullish with this giving 1-4" while the Euro camp is more like <1". Either way, snow probabilities with this system are trending upward. && .AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z MONDAY/... Issued at 628 PM CDT Sat Mar 21 2026 Low stratus is spreading across northern MN this evening, with winds increasing from the north behind a passing cold front. Expect low end MVFR cigs at all terminals overnight, with occasional lowering to IFR. Wind gusts of 20-28kts are possible behind the cold front. A band of light precipitation stretches from north central MN westward across the Red River Valley. So far, dry low levels have prevented precipitation from reaching the ground. With additional moistening overnight, there is low chance of light precipitation, with minimal impacts. Cigs improve Sunday morning, with decreasing winds through the day. By Sunday morning, additional light precip is possible with a possible Lake Superior induced convergence zone near KDLH which may squeeze out some -sn and IFR cigs longer than other locations. && .MARINE /FOR NEARSHORE WATERS OF WESTERN LAKE SUPERIOR/... Issued at 223 PM CDT Sat Mar 21 2026 Small Craft Advisories remain in effect for the nearshore waters of western Lake Superior. Northeast winds will gust 20 to 25 knots this afternoon and tonight. This persistent fetch will cause waves to build to 4 to 7 feet, especially along the South Shore and the Outer Apostle Islands, where occasional 9 foot waves are possible tonight. Winds and waves will gradually subside Sunday afternoon and evening. For the open water discussion, refer to the NWS Marquette Area Forecast Discussion at weather.gov/mqt. && .DLH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... MN...None. WI...None. MARINE...Small Craft Advisory until 8 AM CDT Sunday for LSZ140>142-147- 148-150. && $$ DISCUSSION...Wolfe AVIATION...HA MARINE...Wolfe