What Spring? Additional Slush May Add To Record Snow Totals Across Northland
Well, this is getting old in a hurry. It would appear that spring is broken with the snow switch jammed in the "on position". At some point the snow WILL stop, but residents of the Northland will probably add to record snowfall amounts, and we may even set new records for the latest significant snows since the late 1800s, especially over the Arrowhead and the South Shore of Lake Superior. Other than that not much going on.
I want to stress that most of the precipitation falling over the next week will be rain, but temperatures aloft may be just cold enough for a mix, or even a couple more inches of slush, especially north and east of the Twin Ports.
Timing the Slushy Possibilities. Wednesday Night:
The first chance of slush this week will come Wednesday night, with mostly rain for the Northland, but a smear of heavy wet snow possible across the Arrowhead. The Twin Ports probably won't see any significant snow from this first system, with all-rain for most of us.
Stalled Weekend Storm Pulls In Moisture and Cold Air:
Things get extra-interesting this weekend as a massive storm stalls over the Great Lakes, pushing bands of rain and snow into the Northland (from the east!) from Friday into Monday of next week. Again, it doesn't look like a major snow event, but an inch or two of slush could easily pile up Sunday night and again after dark on Monday.
Limping Into Spring:
All the weather models dry us out next week with moderating temperatures (50s and a shot at 60F). Later this week I'll take a deep dive and try to answer the question: why is spring stuck? Winter wasn't colder than average, but snowfall was off the scale, and there are a few leading theories on why that was the case.
Look at it this way: the official Duluth National Weather Service snowfall total to date is 139.9". Maybe we can just round up to an even 140", which sounds even more impressive? Maybe I'm overthinking this?
Stay tuned and keep the faith: better (milder) days ahead. I think I speak for all of us when I say they can't come soon enough.