Mid-February 2026 Winter Storm and Blizzard

News Headlines

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Overview

A winter storm caused blizzard conditions and heavy snowfall for parts of the Northland beginning late Tuesday February 17, 2026, through Thursday February 18, 2026. Snowfall totals were greatest across the Minnesota Arrowhead where snowfall amounts of 2-3 feet were observed, greatest in the northern parts of Cook County. Across the Iron Range, Twin Ports, and northern tier of northwest Wisconsin, snowfall amounts were in the 6 to 12 inch range, with some locally higher amounts in spots. And elsewhere amounts were much lower, with only 1 to 3 inches for the Brainerd Lakes and Lake Mille Lacs region east to Burnett, Washburn, Sawyer, and Price counties in northwest Wisconsin due to a rain to wintry mix falling for much of the storm, and lesser amounts northwest of the Iron Range due to the storm track. Blizzard conditions resulted in near impossible travel on Wednesday February 18, with MNDOT closing Highway 61 from Duluth to the Canadian border for a time early Wednesday morning and Cook County issuing a "No Travel Advisory." Snowfall was heavy and wet in consistency for much of the storm, and winds were some of the strongest observed in the past 30 years of records with peak gusts of 50 to 60 mph including a peak gust of 67 mph at the Duluth International Airport and 58 mph at the Bay of Grand Marais.

Snow/Ice
Wind
Photo & Video
Storm Impacts
Storm Environment, Snow Amounts, and Ice Movement

Snow/Ice

Reports below are preliminary in nature.

Public Information Statement
National Weather Service Duluth MN
941 AM CST Fri Feb 20 2026

...72 HOUR SNOWFALL REPORTS GREATER THAN 6 INCHES AS OF 845 AM FRI 2/20...

NOTE: The new Hovland 40.4 inches snowfall amount below still does NOT break
a state of Minnesota all time snowfall record.

Location                     Amount    Time/Date       Lat/Lon              
Hovland 0.1 NE               40.4 in   0700 AM 02/20   47.84N/89.97W        
Wolf Ridge                   29.2 in   0700 AM 02/20   47.38N/91.20W        
Tofte 4.9 NE                 25.6 in   0700 AM 02/20   47.62N/90.76W        
Two Harbors 19.8 N           21.2 in   0700 AM 02/20   47.32N/91.67W        
Grand Marais 4.4 W           21.0 in   0700 AM 02/20   47.75N/90.44W        
Brimson 2 S                  18.1 in   0700 AM 02/20   47.25N/91.86W        
Two Harbors 8.4 W            18.0 in   0700 AM 02/20   47.03N/91.85W        
Grand Marais 22.2 NNW        17.9 in   0800 AM 02/20   48.06N/90.53W        
Washburn 2.9 WSW             15.0 in   0600 AM 02/20   46.67N/90.95W        
Bayfield 5.1 NNW             14.5 in   0700 AM 02/20   46.88N/90.86W        
Duluth 17.6 NNW              14.0 in   0700 AM 02/20   47.03N/92.22W        
Duluth 8.4 NNE               13.5 in   0800 AM 02/20   46.89N/92.03W        
Two Harbors 2.0 ENE          12.3 in   0700 AM 02/20   47.04N/91.64W        
Wrenshall 9.7 SSE            11.7 in   0700 AM 02/20   46.49N/92.34W        
Hovland 2.8 WNW              11.6 in   0700 AM 02/20   47.86N/90.02W        
Duluth 4.6 NE                11.6 in   0730 AM 02/20   46.84N/92.05W        
Washburn 0.2 NW              11.5 in   0730 AM 02/20   46.68N/90.90W        
Chisholm 0.7 NW              11.3 in   0630 AM 02/20   47.49N/92.89W        
Duluth 17.6 NNW              10.8 in   0600 AM 02/20   46.99N/92.31W        
Washburn 5.7 W               10.7 in   0715 AM 02/20   46.69N/91.01W        
Duluth 1.2 SE                10.5 in   0500 AM 02/20   46.77N/92.09W        
Aurora 7.4 S                 10.5 in   0720 AM 02/20   47.42N/92.24W        
Ashland 9.8 W                10.0 in   0600 AM 02/20   46.60N/91.08W        
Cotton 5.7 ESE               10.0 in   0800 AM 02/20   47.15N/92.36W        
Ely 0.9 WNW                  9.9 in    0730 AM 02/20   47.91N/91.87W        
Ely 1.8 SSW                  9.7 in    0730 AM 02/20   47.88N/91.87W        
Duluth 3.0 NE                9.5 in    0715 AM 02/20   46.82N/92.06W        
Winton 0.1 NNE               9.2 in    0650 AM 02/20   47.93N/91.80W        
Embarrass                    9.0 in    0600 AM 02/20   47.66N/92.20W        
Eveleth 5.2 S                9.0 in    0800 AM 02/20   47.39N/92.53W        
4 S Winton                   8.8 in    0700 AM 02/20   47.87N/91.80W        
Ashland 0.5 WNW              8.7 in    0700 AM 02/20   46.58N/90.88W        
Kerrick 3.9 N                8.2 in    0700 AM 02/20   46.40N/92.59W        
Canyon 4.6 NNE               8.0 in    0700 AM 02/20   47.10N/92.42W        
Maple 1.0 ENE                7.8 in    0700 AM 02/20   46.60N/91.70W        
Poplar 2.0 E                 7.7 in    0700 AM 02/20   46.58N/91.75W        
3 W Hawthorne                7.6 in    0709 AM 02/20   46.51N/91.93W        
Grand Rapids 6.1 N           7.5 in    0700 AM 02/20   47.31N/93.55W        
Cook 8NE                     7.4 in    0600 AM 02/20   47.85N/92.69W        
Kerrick 3.0 NNE              7.4 in    0800 AM 02/20   46.37N/92.55W        
Orr 3 E                      7.3 in    0600 AM 02/20   48.06N/92.75W        
Hibbing 2.1 NNE              6.5 in    0700 AM 02/20   47.43N/92.93W        
Hurley 4.1 SSE               6.5 in    0732 AM 02/20   46.39N/90.17W        
Coleraine 0.7 S              6.1 in    0700 AM 02/20   47.29N/93.43W        
Grand Rapids 6.2 SSW         6.0 in    0715 AM 02/20   47.14N/93.57W        

Observations are collected from a variety of sources with varying
equipment and exposures. We thank all volunteer weather observers 
for their dedication. Not all data listed are considered official.

$$

Wind

Below is a preliminary list of the peak wind gust reports.

Public Information Statement
National Weather Service Duluth MN
938 AM CST Wed Feb 18 2026

...HIGHEST WIND REPORTS AS OF 930 AM WEDNESDAY...

Location                     Speed     Time/Date       Provider             
I-535 - Blatnik Bridge - Mp0 69 MPH    0205 AM 02/18   MESOWEST             
Duluth International Airport 67 MPH    0219 AM 02/18   ASOS                 
I-35 - Atkinson - Mp 231     66 MPH    0759 PM 02/17   MESOWEST             
Hermantown                   64 MPH    0300 AM 02/18   CWOP                 
Duluth Sky Harbor Airport    62 MPH    0115 AM 02/18   AWOS                 
I-35 - Thompson Hill - Mp 24 62 MPH    0215 AM 02/18   MESOWEST             
Bay Of Grand Marais          58 MPH    0701 AM 02/18   ASOS                 
Duluth Harbor                57 MPH    1254 AM 02/18   NOS-NWLON            
I-35 - Garfield Ave - Mp 255 56 MPH    0655 AM 02/18   MESOWEST             
4 NE Duluth                  55 MPH    1020 PM 02/17   CWOP                 
Chisholm-Hibbing Airport     53 MPH    0954 PM 02/17   ASOS                 
Two Harbors Airport          53 MPH    0715 AM 02/18   AWOS                 
T.h.38 - Marcell - Mp 27.5   53 MPH    0200 AM 02/18   MESOWEST             
T.h.61 - Grand Portage - Mp  52 MPH    0555 AM 02/18   MESOWEST             
T.h.53 - Cotton - Mp 41.9    52 MPH    0205 AM 02/18   MESOWEST             
T.h.61 Schroeder - Mp 79     52 MPH    0740 AM 02/18   MESOWEST             
I-535 - Blatnik South Abutme 51 MPH    1120 PM 02/17   MESOWEST             
Lincoln Elementary School    51 MPH    0846 PM 02/17   MESOWEST             
DULUTH                       50 MPH    0123 AM 02/18   CWOP                 
T.h.53 - Twig - Mp 20        49 MPH    0645 AM 02/18   MESOWEST             
T.h.53 - Rochleau Br. - Mp 6 48 MPH    0235 AM 02/18   MESOWEST             
T.h.61 Grand Marais Mp 110.8 48 MPH    0450 AM 02/18   MESOWEST             
T.h.53 - Anderson Road - Mp  47 MPH    0200 AM 02/18   MESOWEST             
T.h.210 - Tamarack - Mp 186. 47 MPH    0255 AM 02/18   MESOWEST             
U.s.2 - Gowan - Mp 225.1     47 MPH    0305 AM 02/18   MESOWEST             
Pine River Airport           46 MPH    0120 AM 02/18   AWOS                 
U.s.53 - Piedmont Ave - Mp 2 46 MPH    0920 AM 02/18   MESOWEST             
International Falls Airport  45 MPH    1116 PM 02/17   ASOS                 
U.s.53 - Cook - Mp 97.5      45 MPH    1245 AM 02/18   MESOWEST             
French River                 44 MPH    0215 AM 02/18   CWOP                 
U.s.169 - Mitchell Bridge Mp 44 MPH    1125 PM 02/17   MESOWEST             
Esko                         43 MPH    0930 PM 02/17   CWOP                 
Grand Marais Airport         43 MPH    0735 AM 02/18   AWOS                 
Superior Airport             43 MPH    0755 PM 02/17   AWOS                 
T.h.1 - Effie - Mp 194       43 MPH    0200 AM 02/18   MESOWEST             
U.s.2 - Cohasset - Mp 174.3  43 MPH    0125 AM 02/18   MESOWEST             
Saginaw RAWS                 43 MPH    1108 PM 02/17   RAWS                 
T.h.11 - Birchdale - Mp 157  42 MPH    1035 PM 02/17   MESOWEST             
Brainerd RAWS                41 MPH    0906 PM 02/17   RAWS                 
Eveleth                      41 MPH    1015 PM 02/17   DAVIS                
Brainerd Airport             41 MPH    1131 PM 02/17   ASOS                 
T.h.6 - Emily - Mp 29        41 MPH    0620 PM 02/17   MESOWEST             
Bayfield                     41 MPH    0325 AM 02/18   MESOWEST             
Isabella RAWS                40 MPH    0604 AM 02/18   RAWS                 
Cloquet Airport              40 MPH    0435 PM 02/17   AWOS                 
Cook Airport                 40 MPH    1215 AM 02/18   AWOS                 
Eveleth-Virginia Airport     40 MPH    0215 AM 02/18   AWOS                 
T.h.71 - Margie - Mp 379     40 MPH    0850 PM 02/17   MESOWEST             
I-35 Moose Lake - Mp 216     40 MPH    0750 PM 02/17   MESOWEST                           

Observations are collected from a variety of sources with varying
equipment and exposures. We thank all volunteer weather observers 
for their dedication. Not all data listed are considered official.

Photos

8 N Betty's Pies (Photo by Anne Hokenstad)	Hovland (Photo by Ashleigh Ann Marie)	Hibbing (Photo by Audrey Johnson)	Little Sand Bay (Photo by Betty Kerr)	Duluth (Photo by Devin Teig)
Silver Bay (Photo by Halie Robinson)	Two Harbors (Photo by Heather Ice-Bell)	Two Harbors (Photo by Heather Ice-Bell)	Kenwood (Photo by Janet Nelson)	Finland (Photo by Jeffrey Herrick)
Isabella (Photo by Jennifer Freking)	Cloquet (Photo by KC Gwen)	Silver Bay 2 (Photo by Kelly Koepp)	Silver Bay 3 (Photo by Kelly Koepp)	Silver Bay (Photo by Kelly Koepp)
Eldes Corner (Photo by Lisa Paczynski)	Duluth (Photo by Melissa Ruth)	Cloquet (Photo by Michele Erickson)	Duluth (Photo by Michelle Strop)	Unknown Location (Photo by Roxanne Kosevich)
Silver Bay (Photo by Samantha Colvin)	Silver Bay (Photo by Sonya Lillis)	Unknown Location (Photo by Steve Kolodge)	5 NNW Two Harbors (Photo by Sue Powell)	Esko (Photo by Suzanne Gesch)
Esko (Photo by Vanessa Johnson)

Storm Impacts & News Reports

Storm Impacts

Cook County "No Travel Advised" Press Release (Feb 18, 2026)
Cook County Facilities Closed Feb 19 (Feb 18, 2026)
MPR News Article (Feb 18, 2026)
Minnesota weather: Snow totals across the state (Feb 18, 2026)
Blizzard aftermath: snow totals, closures and scenes from the storm (Feb 19, 2026)
North Shore residents digging out from highest amount of snow from the blizzard (Feb 19, 2026)

Meteorological Environment, Snow Amounts, and Ice on Lake Superior

Meteorological Environment, Winds, and Snowfall Amounts


Low pressure tracked across Minnesota and then slowly moved north over western Lake Superior before it dissipated and became enveloped within another passing low pressure system. (Source: NOAA WPC)	This four-panel chart shows Advected Layer Precipitable Water (ALPW) during the storm at various pressure levels (Sfc-850, 850-700, 700-500, and 500-300 hPa). In the mid-levels, from 850-500 hPa, a steady moisture stream is seen extending from the Pacific Ocean and Baja California into the upper Midwest. This blizzard had a lot of moisture to work with given the storm's Pacific influence!	This graphic shows the center of the low pressure system over central/southern Minnesota with strong pressure falls to the northeast and strong pressure rises to the southwest of the low. These strong pressure falls to the northeast are what created the very strong, damaging winds during this storm.


This image shows a Duluth, MN doppler radar image (0.2 degree elevation) which was current as of 2/18/2026 at 10:41 UTC (4:41 AM CST). The blue colors show wind speeds in excess of 60 knots (~70 mph), which explains the >60 mph gusts that were observed at times at the Duluth International Airport during this storm.	Here is an image of headlines issued by the National Weather Service in Duluth, MN at the peak of the storm. Orange colors are Blizzard Warnings, pink colors are Winter Storm Warnings, and purple colors are Winter Weather Advisories.	This map shows the total snowfall received from this storm. The highest amounts were found along the North Shore of Lake Superior with totals well in excess of a foot.

Ice Movement on Lake Superior due to Strong East-Northeast Winds


National Ice Center RADARSAT imagery over the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, covering the Ice Caves as of February 15, 2026. Note a broad area of shore-fastened ice in place on February 15, prior to the strong northeast winds associated with the blizzard yet to come. Image courtesy of US National Ice Center.	National Ice Center RADARSAT imagery over the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, covering the Ice Caves as of February 18, 2026. Note that the shore-fastened ice had all moved away following the intense winds associated with the blizzard. Image courtesy of US National Ice Center.	This graphic shows the dramatic change in ice cover just one day before and after the very strong east-northeast winds associated with the blizzard. Extensive ice cover was completely broken up and moved away from the site of the Apostle Islands Ice Caves. These webcam images are courtesy of Sea Caves Watch (https://wavesatseacaves.cee.wisc.edu/wave_pics.html).

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