Favorite Storms Duluth, MN and Vicinity
Chester Park in Duluth, MN
For the following list of storms, I made my selection based on snow totals, snowfall rates, occurrence of thunder, time of year, and features that may be rare or particularly interesting. The details of the events are a combination of personal observations and data collected from the National Weather Service and related agencies. Some of the observations, such as thundersnow, may not have occurred at the National Weather Service in Duluth or the Duluth International Airport. Also, anyone who has spent even one snow season in Duluth knows that precipitation types during marginal rain-snow events can vary greatly with elevation and proximity to Lake Superior. I try to document these differences when possible.
For additional storms go to the MORE STORMS FOR DULUTH page. Some of these storms also produced thundersnow or high snow totals of 10 inches or more. The page includes a section at the end for ice storms.
National Weather Service EVENT SUMMARIES also document winter storms for the region. The CLIMATE JOURNAL of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is also a good source for information on winter storms.
April 20, 2023 - Storm Breaks Seasonal Snowfall Record, Duluth, MN
March 11 to 12, 2023 - Rotating Heavy Snow, Duluth, MN and Head of Lake Superior
January 3 to 5, 2023 - Heavy Snow with Tight Gradient, Duluth, MN and Superior, WI
* December 13 to 17, 2022 - Thundersnow, Blizzard, and Heavy Snow, Duluth, MN
November 14 to 17, 2022 - Lake Enhanced and Mesolow Enhanced Snow, Duluth and Lake Superior North Shore, MN
February 21 to 23, 2022 - Snow with Strong Lake Enhancement, Duluth, MN and Superior, WI
March 10 to 11, 2021 - Heavy Snow with Wind Gusting Over 50 mph, Duluth, MN
* March 28 to 29, 2020 - Thunder-Slush, Duluth, MN
November 30 to December 1, 2019 - Blizzard with Relentless Heavy Snow, Duluth, MN
May 19, 2019 - Very Late Season Snow, Duluth, MN
* May 8 to 9, 2019 - Thunder with Heavy, Wet Snow, Duluth, MN
December 26 to 28, 2018 - Heavy, Wet Snow, Duluth, MN
* April 13 to 16, 2018 - Orographically Enhanced, Lake Enhanced, and Convectively Enhanced Snow, Duluth, MN (and Much of MN and WI)
October 26 to 27, 2017 - Heavy, Wet Early Season Snow, Duluth, MN
March 12 to 13, 2017 - Burst of Heavy Lake Effect Snow, Twin Ports, MN and WI
* February 20 to 21, 2014 - Heavy Snow with Thunder, Duluth, MN
December 2 to 5, 2013 - Orographically Enhanced and Lake Enhanced Snowstorm, Duluth, MN
April, 2013 - Snowiest Month On Record for Duluth, MN
April 22 to 23, 2013 - Intense Frontogenetically Enhanced Snow, Duluth, MN
April 17 to 19, 2013 - Major April Snowstorm, Duluth, MN
* April 11 to 13, 2013 - Heavy Snow and Thundersnow, Duluth, MN
March 2 to 4, 2012 - Lake Effect / Lake Vortex Enhanced Snow, Duluth, MN
* November 13, 2010 - Thundersnow, Duluth, MN
January 23 to 26, 2010 - Standing Wave Enhanced Snowstorm, Duluth, MN
December 24 to 26, 2009 - Orographic Blizzard, Duluth, MN
* April 10 to 12, 2008 - Blizzard with Cloud-to-ground Lightning, Duluth, MN
* April 5, 2008 - Snow with Cloud-to-ground Lightning, Duluth, MN
December 4, 2007 - Heavy Lake Effect Snow, Duluth, MN
April 3 to 4, 2007 - Heavy Snow, Duluth, MN
* March 1 to 2, 2007 - Thunderblizzard, Duluth, MN
February 23 to 27, 2007 - Blizzard and Prolonged Snow Event, Duluth, MN
February 24, 2006 - Fluffy Snowstorm Enhanced by Strong Band of Lake Effect Snow, Duluth, MN
December 14 to 15, 2005 - Strongly Terrain Enhanced Snowstorm, Duluth, MN
* January 1, 2005 - New Years Day Fireworks!, Duluth, MN
January 25 to 27, 2004 - Long Duration Lake Enhanced Snowstorm, Duluth, MN