Spring tease ends as winter storm arrives this week

Over the weekend, many northern Minnesotans shed their jackets, gloves, and hats after spring-like temperatures greeted much of the Northland.

Areas from International Falls to Duluth reached record February temperatures, according to the National Weather Service in Duluth.

On Sunday, Duluth reached 46 degrees, tying the record set in 1931. Over in Hibbing, temperatures reached 48 degrees, breaking the 1981 record of 44 degrees. Farther north, in International Falls, the area reached 46 degrees, tying a 1981 record.

In Cook County, several inland locations experienced temperatures in the mid-40s and low 50-degree range on Feb. 14 and Feb. 15. Towards the end of the Gunflint Trail, near Seagull Lake, temperatures reached 50 degrees late Sunday afternoon, according to a MesoWest weather station.

The spring tease, however, will come to an end on Tuesday as a significant weather system moves across northern Minnesota.

Starting Tuesday evening, the Northland will experience a mix of rain, freezing rain, and heavy snow. The winter storm is expected to peak on Wednesday morning, with precipitation tapering off on Thursday. Duluth-based meteorologists with the National Weather Service are predicting that snow accumulation will be greater along the North Shore, with slightly less farther inland.

“There’s a decent chance that some folks along the North Shore here are going to pick up more than a foot of snow,” said Kevin Huyck, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Duluth.

Huyck said Grand Marais has a 10% chance of receiving two feet of snow, and farther down the shore, for areas such as Silver Bay, the “probabilities are a little bit higher, above 30%.”

“So definitely a very significant storm system coming,” Huyck said.

The storm is expected to bring heavy, wet snow, and the National Weather Service is advising the public that it may break tree branches and power lines. “So anticipate there might be some sporadic power outages as this storm continues,” Huyck said.

In addition to the heavy, wet snow expected to blanket the Northland, the National Weather Service is predicting 50 to 60 mph wind gusts starting Wednesday morning and continuing late Wednesday.

“Definitely going to be a memorable storm for folks across the area here,” Huyck said.

WTIP spoke with National Weather Service meteorologist Kevin Huyck on Monday, Feb. 16, ahead of the upcoming winter storm. The audio from the interview is below.

Kalli Hawkins February 16, 2026