An extended period of lake effect snow due to east winds off Lake Superior produced 7.7 inches of snow at the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Duluth. Personal measurement was 7.5 inches. The snow began during the mid to late evening between 9 PM and 10 PM CST January 13 and finally ended around 6:30 AM January 15. Numerous elements of snow off Lake Superior affected the Duluth area during the event but most of the snow fell from a dominant band that affected Duluth twice during the storm. The band of snow developed over Duluth around midnight and persisted overnight to mid morning on January 14. The band then moved farther north up the shore of Lake Superior by 10 AM. After a period of much lighter snow, the heavier snow moved back over Duluth toward 4 PM and decided to hang around for a while. Showery bursts of increasingly dendritic super-fluffy snow accumulated up to an inch an hour at times. Late in the evening the band of snow looked as if it was shifting more toward the south shore but then shifted back to the north shortly after midnight January 15. The snow just kept coming through the night then slowly diminished between 3 AM and 6 AM and a few flurries lingered to 6:30 AM. The top 3 to 4 inches of snow was so fluffy that measuring the snow felt like pushing the ruler through air!
This storms was one of the better lake effect events for Duluth in the last few years. No synoptic snow from a storm was directly involved but a low pressure system passing off to the southwest helped sustain east winds between itself and a high pressure system centered between Hudson Bay and Lake Superior.
A storm moved rapidly from southwest to northeast toward Northeast Minnesota and Northwest Wisconsin but slowed down a bit as it pass through the area. Multiple distinct periods of heavy snow produced most of the accumulation. For example, personal measurements and estimates indicated 1 inch fell in 30 minutes from 11:50 PM December 26 to 12:20 AM December 27 CST. Heavy snow fell again from 2:30 AM to 4:30 AM, including an Intense burst of snow from 3:30 AM to 4:20 AM that dumped 2 inches in that 50 minute period. Winds gusting over 40 mph combined with the intense snow to produce near whiteout conditions. A third period of heavy snow fell from 6:15 AM to 7:20 AM. A few more shots of moderate or heavy snow occurred during the storm but were more brief. Overall, snow fell from around 11 PM Sunday evening December 26 to 7 PM Monday evening December 27. Please keep in mind that these details are based on personal observations and what other people experienced may be a little different. Most snow totals reported to the National Weather Service in Duluth for the city of Duluth and the city of Superior, Wisconsin ranged from 8 to 11 inches. The National Weather Service reported 8.8 inches. Personal measurement was 9.8 inches.
As a side note, the heaviest snow from the storm fell to the south in a band extending west to east from Brainerd to Hinckley in Minnesota and then to Hayward in Wisconsin. Snow fell at a rate of 2 to 3 inches per hour for several hours producing widespread totals of 12 to 15 inches. A few reports were as high as 16 to 18 inches.
Precipitation started as a mix in the mid to late morning on December 23. Snow, snow pellets, sleet, freezing rain, or rain fell depending on location and elevation. The mixed precipitation then changed to all snow as winds increased and temperatures began to plunge during the afternoon. Snow increased in intensity and moderate to heavy snow fell from 3 PM to 6 PM CST. Visibility occasionally dropped to near nothing, especially from 5 PM to 6 PM. Snow fell much lighter after 6 PM but visibility remained low due to blowing snow from the strength of the winds. Light snow continued through the evening and ended around 3 AM the next morning. Peak wind at the Duluth International Airport was 55 mph from the north. As indicated by reports to the National Weather Service, snow accumulated 5 to 6 inches in Duluth with amounts a little higher on the other side of the harbor in the city of Superior, WI. The narrow band of heaviest snow lingered a little longer over Superior than Duluth. Some specific amounts include 5.2 inches at the National Weather Service and 5.8 inches at personal location near the ridge crest of Central Duluth.
May 2019 was the snowiest May on record for Duluth based on snowfall records available from the National Weather Service. A major storm on the May 8 and May 9, accompanied by a brief period of thunder late afternoon and early evening on May 8, dumped 10.6 inches of snow at the National Weather Service office. Another storm on May 9th delivered 2.4 inches of accumulation on the 19th. The two storms contributed the bulk of the record 13.3 inches that accumulated that month. The previous record for the month was 8.1 inches in 1954. Emphasis is on the word "accumulate" since temperatures remained above freezing for most of the storm on May 8 and May 9 and all of the storm on the May 19. Some of the snow either did not accumulate or did so as almost slush on the ground. A new single day snowfall record for May was set on May 8 with 8.3 inches. Previous record was 5.5 inches in 1902. Consequently the 10.6 inches that accumulated for the entire storm on May 8 and May 9 would set a single storm snowfall record for the month. Bear in mind that far less snow accumulated in the lower elevations of Duluth and in the city of Superior, WI.
Total snowfall for the month was 36.4 inches which broke the previous record of 33.9 inches set in 1939. The highlight of the month was a prolonged snow event from February 5 to February 7 where 14.2 inches accumulated at the National Weather Service and 10.1 inches accumulated at personal location near the ridge crest of Central Duluth. Several weather systems plus light lake effect snow joined forces to produce a near continuous period of precipitation.
Observed thunder with snow, sleet, and snow-sleet mix. Rain in the morning became mixed with sleet and snow late morning then precipitation all snow most of the afternoon and early evening. Several rumbles of thunder heard late morning to mid afternoon. Snow accumulated only 3 to 4 inches in the area but still a dramatic and enjoyable display.
Snow fell from early afternoon on the 3rd to late morning on the 4th then diminished to flurries. Heaviest snow fell from 7 PM to 10 PM CDT (6 PM to 9 PM CST) with three inches accumulating at personal location during that time period. Radar displayed a few speckles of 35 dBZ strength reflectivity in the heavy snow. Storm totals were 10.3 inches at the National Weather Service and 9.4 inches at personal residence.
Snow fell from 4:15 PM to 11 PM CDT (3:15 PM to 10 PM CST), followed by freezing rain and freezing drizzle once a mid-level dry slot passed overhead. Steady moderate to heavy snow fell from 7:30 PM to 11 PM CDT. Observed Lightning and thunder at 8:35 PM CDT. Personally measured 4.3 inches of snow and around 1/4 inch of glaze from the freezing rain.
Heavy snow and lots of wind hit the area especially in the late overnight and daylight morning hours. Snow fell steadily from 1:50 AM to 5 PM CST, then diminished to lighter snow showers after 5 PM, mainly off of Lake Superior. Snow showers continued through the evening then ended shortly after midnight. Wind gusts reported by the National Weather Service include 56 mph at the Duluth International Airport and 56 mph at Sky Harbor Airport. A total of 9.7 inches fell at the National Weather Service. Personal measurement was about the same at 9.6 inches. Not quite the 10 inches I was hoping for but I'll take it!
At 9:16 PM CDT (8:16 PM CST) observed Lightning/thunder as a narrow but strong band of snow approached from the south. Only light snow falling at time of observation. Band of snow moved through Duluth from 9:30 PM to 10:25 PM CDT. The event was preceded by an intermittent mixture of rain, sleet, and snow pellets that started late in the afternoon but then changed to all snow by the time of the observation. After a brief break, more snow fell from shortly before midnight into the next day. Snow totals were limited to generally 3 to 4 inches due to the inconsistent nature of the precipitation. Lots of wind however with gusts around 50 mph and a gust to 58 mph on the Blatnik Bridge.
Snow fell from around 6 PM CST on the 20th to 10:15 PM CST on the 21st, followed by lingering flurries. Heaviest snow fell early in the storm with snowfall rates around an inch per hour from 8 PM to 3 AM. During one of the hours the snow accumulated 2 inches and trees could hardly be seen on the other side of the street from view of personal residence. Snow totals reached to around a foot with the National Weather Service reporting 12.5 inches and personal measurement 11.8 inches.
An intermittent mixture of rain, sleet, and a little snow started around 7:20 AM CDT (6:20 AM CST), then changed to all snow around 9 AM. Snow became steadier and heavier after 10:30 AM and continuing through the day into the evening. Changeover to a mix of snow or all snow at the bottom of hill was delayed until late morning. Snow diminished to flurries or light snow showers by midnight then ended around 8:30 AM. Snow totals ranged from 4 to 5 inches on top of the hill. Much less accumulated toward the bottom. Some specific amounts were 4.5 inches at the National Weather Service and 4.9 inches as a personal measurement. Leaves and flowers were a little ahead of schedule so nice colorful scene with the snow falling.
The 4.5 inches at the National Weather Service was the third highest snow total for any storm in May valid up to the time of the storm. The storm was a great relief since only a trace of snow fell for March and April combined. That's almost impossible!
Snow fell for over 48 hours from around 3 PM CST on the 13th to around 3:30 PM CST on the 15th. Heaviest snow fell late morning and afternoon on the 14th. Snow accumulated an inch per hour from 10 AM to 2 PM during the core of the heaviest snow. Snowpack fairly dense as snow pellets occasionally mixed into the regular snow. Breezy conditions also helped sift the snow to keep the snowpack dense. Winds gusting to around 40 mph but even stronger at the lake shore. Snowfall measurements were 10.4 inches at the National Weather Service and 9.0 inches as a personal measurement.
A two part storm produced heavy snow mostly from the second part of the storm as the main low pressure system tracked north through Wisconsin. For the first part of the storm, rain became mixed with snow around 5:30 AM CST on December 22, then changed to all snow by 6:45 AM. The snow continued to about 1 PM. Snow accumulated 2.5 inches at the National Weather Service and 1.7 inches at personal location.
The second period of snow started very light with tiny diamond dust flakes at 10 PM later the same day as more snow was spreading into the area from the southeast. Some of the stars could be seen through the thin broken clouds. As the approaching low pressure system rapidly intensified, snow became heavier around 4 AM on the 23rd, then a blitz from 6 AM to 1:30 PM. Snow fell steadily around 1 inch per hour during the daylight morning hours. Generally lighter snow fell for the rest of the afternoon into the early evening. Intermittent light snow persisted through the overnight morning hours of the 24th. Additional snow accumulation for the National Weather Service was 10.4 inches for a total of 12.9 inches. Additional personal measurement was 9.3 inches for a total of 11.0 inches.
Snow fell from around 9:40 AM CST to midnight with a few flurries lingering into the next day. No fancy stuff here. Just good old fashion steady heavy snow accumulating around 1 inch per hour for practically the entire storm. The National Weather Service measured 10.6 inches. Personal measurement was 10.7 inches.
Light snow started at 2 AM CST on the 21st but ahead of the main storm system. Snow was moving west off of Lake Superior but a patch of renegade snow also moved across the Duluth, MN-Superior, WI area from south to north. The snow from the storm itself started at 11:30 AM and continued through the day and evening. Heaviest snow fell from 4 PM to 9 PM. After 11 PM, the snow decreased and changed to more of a lake effect event. Through time, several squiggly bands of snow organized into a single band then moved out of the Duluth toward 6 AM. A few flurries lingered to 7 AM. Snow totals included 10.0 inches at the National Weather Service and a personal measurement of 9.8 inches.
Flurries begin shortly before 2 AM CST enhanced a bit by a few brief snow bands off Lake Superior. Steady snow fell from 4 AM to 3:45 PM, then diminished to flurries and ended at 5 PM. Snow was primarily organized in a northeast to southwest band that trained persistently over Duluth for an extended period of time. Heaviest snow fell from 9 AM to 1 PM when 4.8 inches accumulated. Radar from the National Weather Service showed a few speckles of 35 dBZ reflectivity values. An interesting note is that large needles were by far the dominant ice crystal type. Rarely has this observer seen needles to be the dominant or only ice crystal type for such an extended period of time. The National Weather Service reported 9.1 inches for the storm. Personal measurement was 10.5 inches.
A low pressure system tracked west to east just north of the Minnesota-Canadian border but enough cold air was still available to support mixed precipitation. Showers of light snow, snow pellets, freezing rain, and sleet fell from 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM CST on March 13. Between 11 AM and 2 PM A few thunderstorms produced bursts of snow, snow pellets, and hail. As dramatic as this weather episode was, only a few tenths of an inch accumulated. Two additional periods of precipitation in the form of snow, fell from 6:45 PM to 7:45 PM and from 2 AM to 5 AM the next day. Snow and ice accumulated around 2 inches for the entire event. I know that's not much but thundersnow always makes my day!
A mixed precipitation event on May 3 and a lake enhanced snow event on May 4 into early May 5 combined to produce around 10 inches of accumulation in the area. The National Weather Service reported a total snowfall of 10.5 inches. Personal measurement was the same value. The lake-effect snow appeared to be aided by the lingering influence of the weather system that produced the mixed precipitation on May 3. This storm may be worth taking a closer look at.
An extended period of intermittent very light snow fell from 3 AM to 4 PM CST on March 27, producing only a half inch of accumulation. Snow abruptly increased in intensity at 4 PM as a large area of heavier snow rotated dynamically from west to east into the area. Heaviest snow with accumulation rates of an inch or more per hour fell in two periods from 4:30 PM to 7 PM and 11:30 PM to 2:30 AM. The snow became light and intermittent during the daylight mid morning on the Marth 28. Some additional light accumulation occurred during the day, then just flurries for most of the evening. Snow totals included 10.1 inches at the National Weather Service and also as a personal measurement.
A winter storm produced a mix of sleet, snow, and freezing rain from late evening April 19 into early evening April 20. Precipitation was heavy at times through the afternoon on April 20. Light snow showers fell for the for the rest of the event that lingered through April 21 and into April 22. The precipitation produced a dense snow-ice pack of 4 to 5 inches. Enough freezing rain fell to produce a glaze of 0.25 to 0.50 inches. Heaviest ice formed on the upwind side of trees. The ice, combined with winds from the east gusting over 50 mph, broke some tree limbs and produced a few power outages. Most of the freezing rain accumulated in the higher elevations. Less accumulated toward the bottom of the hill as temperatures spent more time a little above freezing. This same storm broke Duluth's season snowfall record. More details of the storm are included in a separate summary on the "Favorite Storms Duluth, MN" page.
Freezing rain fell from shortly after midnight, through the morning, then into the early afternoon. Cooling from orographic lift appeared to be maximized along the ridge crest and inland 2 miles beyond the ridge crest. Much less ice accumulated farther inland and down the hill. Ice accumulated 0.3 to 0.5 inches in Central Duluth near the ridge crest. Noticed that the temperature at the Duluth International Airport rose to 33 oF at 8 AM CST, limiting the icing.
Light rain changed to freezing rain shortly after 6 AM CST on the March 30 and continued into the early afternoon, then fell much lighter as mostly freezing drizzle through the rest of the event. The freezing rain and freezing drizzle ended when ice started melting between 8 AM and 8:30 AM CST the next morning. Some sleet mixed into the freezing rain first half of the event. Ice accumulated from a quarter to around half an inch. Thickest ice was on some of the trees and broke a few small limbs.
Freezing rain fell during the daylight morning hours and the first half of the afternoon before changing to rain. The freezing rain was mixed with a lot of sleet during the early to mid morning. Sleet accumulated several tenths of an inch. Freezing rain accumulated up to a half an inch with a little more on the favored upwind side of trees. A few small limbs down due to the ice.
A few sprinkles of freezing rain fell in the daylight morning and early afternoon on the April 16, then heavier sleet and freezing rain, but mostly sleet, fell from mid afternoon to a few hours beyond midnight. Intermittent light sleet, freezing rain, and snow fell for the rest of the event to mid morning on the April 17. Strong winds occurred on the 16th with gusts exceeding 50 mph. Sleet accumulated around a half inch at this observer's location.