Blizzard Warning Issued for Two Harbors, Silver Bay and North Shore Communities

The National Weather Service Duluth Forecast Office has issued a blizzard warning for Two Harbors, Silver Bay and Grand Marais beginning at 1 p.m. Thursday, March 12, as a potent system dropping southeast from Canada threatens to turn North Shore roads impassable by nightfall.

The warning covers southern Lake County and the broader North Shore corridor, where forecasters expect light snow to accumulate an inch or two during the day before conditions deteriorate sharply. Very strong northwest winds gusting between 40 and 55 mph are possible late Thursday into early Friday morning, and with deep snow already on the ground from a storm earlier in the week, forecasters warn the wind will drive considerable blowing snow and whiteout conditions across the region. Numerous road closures are possible.

Travel could become difficult or impossible in the blizzard warning areas by Sunday night, according to the NWS forecast discussion. The North Shore is no stranger to blizzard conditions, but the combination of existing snowpack and fresh accumulation compounds the hazard this week.

Across western Minnesota, conditions are described as more uncertain because the snowpack is less conducive to blowing around, and Winter Storm Warnings are in effect there. If conditions worsen beyond current expectations, blizzard warnings may be extended to those areas as well. Two separate Winter Storm Warnings cover a wide swath of the region: the first includes Duluth, Cloquet, Superior, Ashland, Isabella, Washburn, Ely, Hurley, Bayfield, Bigfork, Hibbing and International Falls; the second covers Bagley, Red Lake, Baudette and Bemidji. The Twin Cities are under a Winter Weather Advisory, where winds are not expected to be as strong but blowing snow remains possible.

Officials are urging anyone in the blizzard warning zone to delay all travel if possible. Those who must be on the road should carry a winter survival kit that includes booster cables, a flashlight, a shovel, blankets, extra clothing, water and a first aid kit. If stranded, stay with your vehicle rather than attempting to travel on foot. For current road conditions, call 511 or visit 511mn.org. Wisconsin road conditions are available at 511wi.gov.

Areas south of the North Shore communities in both Minnesota and Wisconsin are under Winter Storm Watches, and the NWS advises checking for updates as the system evolves through the day.