FXUS63 KDLH 192005

AFDDLH



Area Forecast Discussion

National Weather Service Duluth MN

305 PM CDT Thu Mar 19 2026



.KEY MESSAGES...



- Light snow showers and mixed precipitation will move into the

  region from the northwest this afternoon and evening,

  potentially creating slick spots Friday morning.



- A messy wintry system will arrive this weekend, with all

  precipitation types on the table. A glaze of ice is possible

  where the freeze line sets up and 1 to 4 inches along and north

  of Highway 2.



- An active weather pattern and a roller coaster of temperatures will

  continue into next week, bringing additional chances for 

  messy wintry precipitation.



&&



.DISCUSSION...

Issued at 240 PM CDT Thu Mar 19 2026



For the rest of the day, light snow showers currently located 

in southeast Manitoba will make their way southeast across the 

International Border. As this precipitation arrives this 

afternoon and evening, expect a variety of precipitation types. 

A warm nose aloft will support mixed precipitation, with the 

depth of the surface freezing layer dictating whether we see 

snow, ice pellets, or freezing rain. If surface temperatures 

stay above freezing, this will simply fall as rain. If freezing 

rain does occur, a light glaze of ice could lead to slippery 

conditions on elevated or untreated surfaces. Widespread fog, 

some locally dense, is expected to develop tonight due to

increased surface moisture from ongoing snowmelt and southerly 

breezes.



Fog may linger into Friday morning before scattering out. We will

see a brief lull in the weather during the day Friday, with high

temperatures climbing into the upper 40s to low 50s depending on

how quickly the morning clouds and fog can clear. A more 

complex and disorganized system will arrive over the weekend.



Placement of precipitation types with the Saturday system remains

uncertain, though global models generally position the freezing

line somewhere in the Iron Range and Borderlands. All types of

precipitation are expected with this weekend system. Showers

will start as rain for most locations on Saturday before

transitioning to a wintry mix and snow overnight. Amounts will

heavily depend on exactly when and where the precipitation

changes over. Those who see mostly snow will have the greatest

accumulations, generally totaling an inch or two. However,

isolated snow amounts up to four inches are possible along the

North Shore terrain due to orographic enhancement. A period of

light freezing rain is also possible in the vicinity of wherever

the freeze line eventually lands, which could lead to a 

hazardous glaze of ice.



High temperatures on Sunday will be relatively cool, hovering much

closer to freezing than this past week. Temperatures will 

rebound and increase again early next week. The overall active 

weather pattern will continue next week as well, bringing more 

chances for messy, wintry precipitation to the Northland.



&&



.AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z FRIDAY/...

Issued at 1233 PM CDT Thu Mar 19 2026



VFR conditions continue, but low clouds are moving east off Lake

Superior and are expected to affect DLH and later HIB with MVFR

ceilings. LLWS will also affect HIB, HYR, and BRD between 00-09Z

this evening/tonight. Fog is also expected to occur tonight,

particularly across the Arrowhead and northwest Wisconsin. IFR

to LIFR conditions are possible. HIB is more uncertain in the

models, but still gave it a TEMPO due to how often we see fog 

form there under favorable conditions.



&&



.MARINE /FOR NEARSHORE WATERS OF WESTERN LAKE SUPERIOR/...

Issued at 240 PM CDT Thu Mar 19 2026



East to southeast winds around 5 to 10 knots will persist this 

afternoon before veering southwest tonight. A marine fog threat 

exists tonight as moist air moves over the colder lake waters, 

which could drop visibilities below 1 nautical mile in some

areas. Winds become westerly around 5 to 10 knots on Friday. A 

stronger low pressure system arrives Saturday, bringing building

waves and strengthening northeasterly winds that may become 

hazardous to small craft.



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...None.



&&



$$



DISCUSSION...KML

AVIATION...KML

MARINE...KML