Dense Fog and Warm Temperatures for Duluth: Showers and Thunderstorms Possible This Weekend

Photo byNational Weather Service

Fog near Lake Superior to clear by mid-morning; warm weather continues with rain chances ahead

DULUTH — Issued by the National Weather Service at 3:32 AM on September 13, 2024.

The National Weather Service in Duluth is forecasting locally dense fog near Lake Superior this morning, which will retreat by mid-morning. The fog bank has pushed inland but is expected to clear as temperatures rise. Today will bring another day of warm weather with highs in the 80s, continuing the trend of above-average temperatures for the region.

Warm and Sunny Conditions Persist

An anticyclonic flow aloft over the Great Lakes is maintaining the warm and dry weather pattern, with southerly winds bringing mild conditions to the Minnesota side of Lake Superior. Temperatures are expected to reach the low to mid-80s today, with slightly cooler conditions near the lakeshore due to onshore breezes. This warm weather will continue into the weekend and early next week.

Weekend Rain and Thunderstorm Chances

Rain showers and isolated thunderstorms are expected to return on Saturday, with a 20-50% chance of precipitation, primarily affecting the western half of the region. The remnants of Francine will move northward, bringing increased moisture and instability to the area, though no severe weather is anticipated due to limited shear and modest instability.

Sunday will see precipitation chances taper off, with lingering showers possible over northwest Wisconsin. Off-and-on rain chances will persist into early next week as the weather pattern evolves.

Early Next Week: Intermittent Rain Chances and Warm Temperatures

As the Rex Block shifts eastward, the Upper Midwest will experience a southerly flow, keeping temperatures warm with highs in the 80s and dewpoints in the 60s. This setup will maintain the potential for afternoon thunderstorms, though severe weather is not expected due to weak shear. The warm and humid conditions will continue through midweek, with some uncertainty regarding how the weather will evolve later in the week as an upper-level low approaches from the west.

Marine and Beach Hazards

A Dense Fog Advisory is in effect for portions of the South Shore of Lake Superior until mid-morning, with visibility expected to improve as the day progresses. Winds will be northeast with occasional gusts near 20 knots, particularly at the head of the lake, where wave heights could briefly reach up to 4 feet. Boaters should be cautious of the fog and changing conditions.

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