Overview
Winter gave the Northland a firm reminder this past weekend that it was not ready to give way to spring. This was an unusually strong mid-April snowstorm. The culprit area of low pressure tracked pretty far away, slowly moving from the Central Plains to south of the Great Lakes, before lifting into eastern Canada, yet it brought heavy snow as far north and west as northeast MN and northwest WI. Snow first spread in force Saturday (April 14th) afternoon into northwest WI and east-central MN from the southwest. The snow then spread into the rest of the Northland Saturday night into Sunday. The snow continued much of Sunday, then slowly diminished Sunday night into Monday. There was lingering lake effect snow along the South Shore into early Tuesday. This storm generated strong northeast winds over Lake Superior. Park Point in Duluth had frequent gusts to 50 mph Friday night and Saturday. The freighter Algoma Spirit sheltered behind Sand Island (the western-most Apostle Island) during the storm Saturday and measured frequent wind gusts to 60 knots (69 mph, nearly hurricane-force). The Devil's Island observation site measured wind gusts to 59 mph. The winds generated large waves of at least up to 15 feet over Lake Superior and along the South Shore to the Duluth and Superior area. There was some flooding near the ship canal and Lift Bridge in Duluth from the waves, and the waves were high enough to hit the bridge. Since it was cold outside, the waves and spray caused a lot of icing along the shoreline. The strong winds across the Northland, especially close to and downwind of Lake Superior, caused blizzard conditions with the falling snow. Highway 2 in Ashland was closed for a time. |
![]() Storm Snowfall Amounts 7 am Friday (Apr 13th) through 7 am Tuesday (Apr 17th) |
Video of waves crashing the Duluth Lift Bridge (courtesy of Robert Ouellette)
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000 NWUS53 KDLH 161726 LSRDLH PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT...SUMMARY NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DULUTH MN 1226 PM CDT MON APR 16 2018 ...TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON... ...DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE.... ..REMARKS.. 1146 AM HEAVY SNOW 1 ENE HOYT LAKES 47.52N 92.14W 04/16/2018 M7.0 INCH ST. LOUIS MN PUBLIC 1000 AM SNOW BRIMSON 47.28N 91.87W 04/16/2018 E5.0 INCH ST. LOUIS MN PUBLIC 1000 AM HEAVY SNOW 1 SSE AURORA 47.52N 92.23W 04/16/2018 E8.0 INCH ST. LOUIS MN PUBLIC 0931 AM SNOW WALKER COMMUNITY CENTER 47.15N 94.65W 04/16/2018 M3.0 INCH CASS MN CO-OP OBSERVER CO-OP OBSERVER STATION WLKM5, WALKER COMMUNITY CENTER. 0930 AM HEAVY SNOW LAKE NEBAGAMON 46.51N 91.70W 04/16/2018 E16.0 INCH DOUGLAS WI PUBLIC 0900 AM HEAVY SNOW 2 NW GARY NEW DULUTH 46.71N 92.23W 04/16/2018 M12.0 INCH ST. LOUIS MN COCORAHS COCORAHS STATION MN-SL-109, 2 NW GARY NEW DULUTH. 0900 AM HEAVY SNOW ISLAND LAKE 47.02N 92.07W 04/16/2018 M10.8 INCH ST. LOUIS MN CO-OP OBSERVER CO-OP OBSERVER STATION ILIM5, ISLAND LAKE. 0900 AM HEAVY SNOW 14 W ISABELLA 47.59N 91.65W 04/16/2018 M11.0 INCH LAKE MN CO-OP OBSERVER CO-OP OBSERVER STATION IBLM5, 14 W ISABELLA. 0900 AM SNOW 1 SSW COLERAINE 47.29N 93.43W 04/16/2018 E3.6 INCH ITASCA MN PUBLIC TOTAL SNOWFALL SINCE SUNDAY MORNING. 0842 AM HEAVY SNOW SPRINGBROOK 45.95N 91.69W 04/16/2018 E13.0 INCH WASHBURN WI PUBLIC TOTAL SNOWFALL OVER THE PAST 48 HOURS. 0830 AM HEAVY SNOW 3 W PHILLIPS 45.70N 90.46W 04/16/2018 M11.8 INCH PRICE WI TRAINED SPOTTER 0830 AM HEAVY SNOW 4 N FLOODWOOD 47.00N 92.92W 04/16/2018 M14.0 INCH ST. LOUIS MN CO-OP OBSERVER CO-OP OBSERVER STATION FLDM5, 4 N FLOODWOOD. 0829 AM HEAVY SNOW ELY 47.91N 91.85W 04/16/2018 E8.0 INCH ST. LOUIS MN PUBLIC TOTAL SNOWFALL SINCE SUNDAY MORNING. 0815 AM HEAVY SNOW MCKINLEY 47.51N 92.41W 04/16/2018 M14.0 INCH ST. LOUIS MN TRAINED SPOTTER 0814 AM SNOW 5 SSE GUNN 47.16N 93.42W 04/16/2018 E4.3 INCH ITASCA MN TRAINED SPOTTER TOTAL SNOWFALL OVER ABOUT THE PAST 24 HOURS. 0806 AM HEAVY SNOW 7 SE SEA GULL LAKE 48.07N 90.83W 04/16/2018 E6.0 INCH COOK MN PUBLIC TOTAL SNOWFALL SINCE SUNDAY MORNING AT TUSCARORA LODGE WAY UP THE GUNFLINT TRAIL. 0804 AM SNOW 3 S COHASSET 47.22N 93.63W 04/16/2018 E5.0 INCH ITASCA MN TRAINED SPOTTER TOTAL SNOWFALL OVER ABOUT THE PAST 24 HOURS. 0800 AM HEAVY SNOW 2 W LEONIDAS 47.46N 92.63W 04/16/2018 M7.0 INCH ST. LOUIS MN COCORAHS COCORAHS STATION MN-SL-108, 2 W LEONIDAS. 0800 AM HEAVY SNOW LIBBY 46.79N 93.32W 04/16/2018 M6.0 INCH AITKIN MN CO-OP OBSERVER CO-OP OBSERVER STATION SDYM5, LIBBY. 0800 AM SNOW PENGILLY 47.33N 93.20W 04/16/2018 E5.0 INCH ITASCA MN PUBLIC TOTAL SNOWFALL OVER ABOUT THE PAST 24 HOURS. 0800 AM SNOW 1 WNW KABETOGAMA 48.45N 93.05W 04/16/2018 M4.0 INCH ST. LOUIS MN COCORAHS COCORAHS STATION MN-SL-95, 1 WNW KABETOGAMA. 0800 AM SNOW CASS LAKE 47.38N 94.61W 04/16/2018 M0.9 INCH CASS MN CO-OP OBSERVER CO-OP OBSERVER STATION CSLM5, CASS LAKE. 0800 AM SNOW LAKE WINNIBIGOSHISH 47.43N 94.05W 04/16/2018 M3.0 INCH ITASCA MN CO-OP OBSERVER CO-OP OBSERVER STATION WNBM5, LAKE WINNIBIGOSHISH. 0800 AM SNOW POKEGAMA LK DAM 47.25N 93.59W 04/16/2018 M3.0 INCH ITASCA MN CO-OP OBSERVER CO-OP OBSERVER STATION PKGM5, POKEGAMA LK DAM. 0800 AM SNOW BIGFORK 8S 47.62N 93.70W 04/16/2018 M5.4 INCH ITASCA MN CO-OP OBSERVER CO-OP OBSERVER STATION BFKM5, BIGFORK 8S. 0800 AM HEAVY SNOW WRENSHALL 46.62N 92.38W 04/16/2018 M10.0 INCH CARLTON MN CO-OP OBSERVER CO-OP OBSERVER STATION WRSM5, WRENSHALL. 0800 AM HEAVY SNOW 1 NNE DULUTH 46.80N 92.11W 04/16/2018 M8.8 INCH ST. LOUIS MN COCORAHS COCORAHS STATION MN-SL-18, 1 NNE DULUTH. 0800 AM SNOW 2 N SHAW 47.15N 92.36W 04/16/2018 M11.4 INCH ST. LOUIS MN COCORAHS COCORAHS STATION MN-SL-115, 2 N SHAW. 0800 AM HEAVY SNOW 12 N ISLE 46.32N 93.50W 04/16/2018 M6.9 INCH AITKIN MN CO-OP OBSERVER CO-OP OBSERVER STATION ISEM5, 12 N ISLE. 0800 AM HEAVY SNOW HURLEY 46.46N 90.20W 04/16/2018 M10.0 INCH IRON WI CO-OP OBSERVER CO-OP OBSERVER STATION HURW3, HURLEY. 0800 AM HEAVY SNOW GORDON 46.25N 91.80W 04/16/2018 M8.3 INCH DOUGLAS WI CO-OP OBSERVER CO-OP OBSERVER STATION GORW3, GORDON. 0800 AM HEAVY SNOW 25 E ELY 47.93N 91.50W 04/16/2018 M6.0 INCH LAKE MN CO-OP OBSERVER CO-OP OBSERVER STATION BNDM5, 25 E ELY. 0755 AM HEAVY SNOW 1 S FLOODWOOD 46.91N 92.92W 04/16/2018 M11.0 INCH ST. LOUIS MN PUBLIC 0755 AM HEAVY SNOW 7 NW CHISHOLM 47.55N 93.00W 04/16/2018 E7.0 INCH ST. LOUIS MN PUBLIC 0754 AM HEAVY SNOW 1 S COTTON 47.15N 92.47W 04/16/2018 E7.0 INCH ST. LOUIS MN TRAINED SPOTTER TOTAL SNOWFALL OVER ABOUT THE PAST 24 HOURS. 0752 AM HEAVY SNOW 5 NE BUTTERNUT 46.07N 90.42W 04/16/2018 E11.0 INCH ASHLAND WI PUBLIC 0.5" OVERNIGHT. 0750 AM SNOW KELLY LAKE 47.42N 93.01W 04/16/2018 M4.1 INCH ST. LOUIS MN PUBLIC 0745 AM HEAVY SNOW 1 NW TWO HARBORS 47.04N 91.69W 04/16/2018 M6.5 INCH LAKE MN TRAINED SPOTTER 0740 AM HEAVY SNOW 7 W HOVLAND 47.82N 90.11W 04/16/2018 E5.0 INCH COOK MN PUBLIC 0737 AM HEAVY SNOW MADELINE ISLAND 46.78N 90.77W 04/16/2018 M14.2 INCH ASHLAND WI CO-OP OBSERVER CO-OP OBSERVER STATION MAIW3, MADELINE ISLAND. 0731 AM HEAVY SNOW 2 NW WASHBURN 46.70N 90.91W 04/16/2018 M14.0 INCH BAYFIELD WI PUBLIC STARTED SNOWING YESTERDAY (SUNDAY) AT 3:00 AM. 0730 AM HEAVY SNOW 1 NW MANITOWISH 46.15N 90.03W 04/16/2018 M14.8 INCH IRON WI COCORAHS COCORAHS STATION WI-IR-2, 1 NW MANITOWISH. 0710 AM HEAVY SNOW 5 NE ARNOLD 46.95N 92.04W 04/16/2018 M8.3 INCH ST. LOUIS MN COCORAHS COCORAHS STATION MN-SL-105, 5 NE ARNOLD. 0700 AM HEAVY SNOW HOVLAND 47.84N 89.97W 04/16/2018 M9.0 INCH COOK MN COCORAHS COCORAHS STATION MN-CK-7, HOVLAND. 0700 AM HEAVY SNOW WINTON 47.93N 91.80W 04/16/2018 M8.7 INCH ST. LOUIS MN COCORAHS COCORAHS STATION MN-SL-80, WINTON. 0700 AM HEAVY SNOW 7 N MCGREGOR 46.71N 93.29W 04/16/2018 M6.7 INCH AITKIN MN COCORAHS COCORAHS STATION MN-AT-4, 7 N MCGREGOR. 0700 AM HEAVY SNOW CELINA 2E 47.87N 93.03W 04/16/2018 M6.0 INCH ST. LOUIS MN CO-OP OBSERVER CO-OP OBSERVER STATION TOGM5, CELINA 2E. 0700 AM HEAVY SNOW 2 WNW HOVLAND 47.85N 90.02W 04/16/2018 M6.0 INCH COOK MN COCORAHS COCORAHS STATION MN-CK-15, 2 WNW HOVLAND. 0700 AM HEAVY SNOW 11 N NASHWAUK 47.54N 93.19W 04/16/2018 M6.0 INCH ITASCA MN COCORAHS COCORAHS STATION MN-IT-11, 11 N NASHWAUK. 0700 AM SNOW INTL. FALLS 48.58N 93.40W 04/16/2018 M1.9 INCH KOOCHICHING MN OFFICIAL NWS OBS 0700 AM SNOW 4 NE COHASSET 47.31N 93.55W 04/16/2018 M4.5 INCH ITASCA MN COCORAHS COCORAHS STATION MN-IT-17, 4 NE COHASSET. 0700 AM SNOW GUNFLINT LAKE 48.17N 90.89W 04/16/2018 M3.0 INCH COOK MN CO-OP OBSERVER CO-OP OBSERVER STATION GNFM5, GUNFLINT LAKE. 0700 AM HEAVY SNOW 1 SW BAYFIELD 46.79N 90.84W 04/16/2018 M13.0 INCH BAYFIELD WI COCORAHS COCORAHS STATION WI-BY-15, 1 SW BAYFIELD. 0700 AM SNOW SILVER BAY 47.29N 91.30W 04/16/2018 M5.8 INCH LAKE MN CO-OP OBSERVER CO-OP OBSERVER STATION SILM5, SILVER BAY. 0700 AM SNOW 2 SW LESTER PARK 46.81N 92.06W 04/16/2018 M4.0 INCH ST. LOUIS MN COCORAHS COCORAHS STATION MN-SL-20, 2 SW LESTER PARK. 0700 AM HEAVY SNOW ORR 48.07N 92.82W 04/16/2018 E6.0 INCH ST. LOUIS MN PUBLIC 0700 AM HEAVY SNOW 2 E LITTLE SWAN 47.29N 92.78W 04/16/2018 E9.0 INCH ST. LOUIS MN PUBLIC 0700 AM HEAVY SNOW 4.1 ENE CORNUCOPIA 46.88N 91.02W 04/16/2018 M13.0 INCH BAYFIELD WI TRAINED SPOTTER 0700 AM HEAVY SNOW WOLF RIDGE 47.45N 91.22W 04/16/2018 M6.2 INCH LAKE MN CO-OP OBSERVER CO-OP OBSERVER STATION WLFM5, WOLF RIDGE. 0700 AM HEAVY SNOW 4 S EARL 45.84N 91.76W 04/16/2018 M12.0 INCH WASHBURN WI COCORAHS COCORAHS STATION WI-WB-9, 4 S EARL. 0700 AM HEAVY SNOW 2 WNW STONE LAKE 45.86N 91.58W 04/16/2018 M8.0 INCH WASHBURN WI COCORAHS COCORAHS STATION WI-WB-2, 2 WNW STONE LAKE. 0700 AM HEAVY SNOW 3 NW NORTHWOODS BEACH 45.95N 91.44W 04/16/2018 M9.7 INCH SAWYER WI COCORAHS COCORAHS STATION WI-SR-4, 3 NW NORTHWOODS BEACH. 0700 AM HEAVY SNOW PHILLIPS 45.69N 90.40W 04/16/2018 M13.6 INCH PRICE WI COCORAHS COCORAHS STATION WI-PR-8, PHILLIPS. 0700 AM SNOW 1 S PHILLIPS 45.68N 90.40W 04/16/2018 M16.5 INCH PRICE WI COCORAHS COCORAHS STATION WI-PR-6, 1 S PHILLIPS. 0700 AM SNOW PENCE 46.42N 90.27W 04/16/2018 M12.9 INCH IRON WI COCORAHS COCORAHS STATION WI-IR-3, PENCE. 0700 AM HEAVY SNOW 1 WSW MAPLE 46.58N 91.75W 04/16/2018 M21.9 INCH DOUGLAS WI COCORAHS 0700 AM HEAVY SNOW 6 NE HERTEL 45.88N 92.10W 04/16/2018 M10.4 INCH BURNETT WI COCORAHS COCORAHS STATION WI-BT-2, 6 NE HERTEL. 0700 AM HEAVY SNOW 2 S SIREN 45.75N 92.38W 04/16/2018 M8.8 INCH BURNETT WI COCORAHS COCORAHS STATION WI-BT-13, 2 S SIREN. 0700 AM HEAVY SNOW SARONA 45.80N 91.87W 04/16/2018 M10.3 INCH WASHBURN WI CO-OP OBSERVER CO-OP OBSERVER STATION SRAW3, SARONA. 0700 AM HEAVY SNOW 1 NNW FORT RIPLEY 46.18N 94.37W 04/16/2018 M7.1 INCH CROW WING MN COCORAHS COCORAHS STATION MN-CW-22, 1 NNW FORT RIPLEY. 0700 AM HEAVY SNOW SAXON 1WSW 46.49N 90.44W 04/16/2018 M16.0 INCH IRON WI CO-OP OBSERVER CO-OP OBSERVER STATION GURW3, SAXON 1WSW. 0700 AM HEAVY SNOW DULUTH NWS 46.84N 92.21W 04/16/2018 M13.4 INCH ST. LOUIS MN OFFICIAL NWS OBS 0700 AM SNOW BRAINERD 46.34N 94.21W 04/16/2018 M5.5 INCH CROW WING MN CO-OP OBSERVER CO-OP OBSERVER STATION BRAM5, BRAINERD. 0700 AM HEAVY SNOW ASHLAND 46.58N 90.88W 04/16/2018 M15.7 INCH ASHLAND WI COCORAHS COCORAHS STATION WI-AS-4, ASHLAND. 0655 AM SNOW INTERNATIONAL FALLS 48.57N 93.40W 04/16/2018 M1.9 INCH KOOCHICHING MN ASOS ASOS STATION INL, INTERNATIONAL FALLS. 0655 AM HEAVY SNOW 3 W CLAM LAKE 46.17N 90.98W 04/16/2018 M12.0 INCH BAYFIELD WI COCORAHS COCORAHS STATION WI-BY-2, 3 W CLAM LAKE. 0645 AM SNOW 4 ESE CASINO 46.40N 94.46W 04/16/2018 M3.7 INCH CASS MN COCORAHS COCORAHS STATION MN-CS-1, 4 ESE CASINO. 0643 AM HEAVY SNOW BABBIT 47.71N 91.95W 04/16/2018 M8.3 INCH ST. LOUIS MN CO-OP OBSERVER CO-OP OBSERVER STATION BABM5, BABBIT. 0632 AM HEAVY SNOW 2 W HAYWARD 46.01N 91.53W 04/16/2018 M10.5 INCH SAWYER WI TRAINED SPOTTER OVERNIGHT: 6.3". 0630 AM HEAVY SNOW CHISHOLM 47.49N 92.89W 04/16/2018 M9.7 INCH ST. LOUIS MN COCORAHS COCORAHS STATION MN-SL-15, CHISHOLM. 0630 AM HEAVY SNOW 4 WSW SEELEY 46.09N 91.43W 04/16/2018 E11.5 INCH SAWYER WI PUBLIC 0630 AM HEAVY SNOW 5 WSW BUTTERNUT 45.97N 90.60W 04/16/2018 M14.0 INCH PRICE WI COCORAHS COCORAHS STATION WI-PR-2, 5 WSW BUTTERNUT. 0630 AM HEAVY SNOW 1 WSW TAMARACK 46.64N 93.15W 04/16/2018 M6.8 INCH AITKIN MN COCORAHS COCORAHS STATION MN-AT-5, 1 WSW TAMARACK. 0600 AM HEAVY SNOW EMBARRASS 47.66N 92.20W 04/16/2018 M8.0 INCH ST. LOUIS MN CO-OP OBSERVER CO-OP OBSERVER STATION EMBM5, EMBARRASS. 0600 AM HEAVY SNOW 3E ORR 48.06N 92.75W 04/16/2018 M6.0 INCH ST. LOUIS MN CO-OP OBSERVER CO-OP OBSERVER STATION LEIM5, 3E ORR. 0600 AM HEAVY SNOW MELRUDE 47.25N 92.42W 04/16/2018 E11.0 INCH ST. LOUIS MN PUBLIC THE TOTAL OVER ABOUT 24 HOURS. THE SNOWFALL WAS UP TO 6 INCHES AS OF 8:30 PM SUNDAY EVENING. 0600 AM SNOW 6 SSW GRAND RAPIDS 47.14N 93.57W 04/16/2018 M5.1 INCH ITASCA MN COCORAHS COCORAHS STATION MN-IT-7, 6 SSW GRAND RAPIDS. 0600 AM HEAVY SNOW 3 E WRIGHT 46.68N 92.95W 04/16/2018 M12.3 INCH CARLTON MN CO-OP OBSERVER CO-OP OBSERVER STATION WRIM5, 3 E WRIGHT. 0600 AM HEAVY SNOW 1 N MOQUAH 46.60N 91.08W 04/16/2018 M12.6 INCH BAYFIELD WI COCORAHS COCORAHS STATION WI-BY-14, 1 N MOQUAH. 0600 AM HEAVY SNOW BAYFIELD 9N 46.94N 90.84W 04/16/2018 M12.5 INCH BAYFIELD WI CO-OP OBSERVER CO-OP OBSERVER STATION BYFW3, BAYFIELD 9N. 0559 AM HEAVY SNOW 3 N BUTTERNUT 46.06N 90.53W 04/16/2018 M18.0 INCH ASHLAND WI CO-OP OBSERVER CO-OP OBSERVER STATION BUTW3, 3 N BUTTERNUT. 0515 AM HEAVY SNOW BABBITT 47.70N 91.94W 04/16/2018 E9.0 INCH ST. LOUIS MN PUBLIC 0502 AM HEAVY SNOW 3 E PAYNE 47.10N 92.53W 04/16/2018 M10.5 INCH ST. LOUIS MN PUBLIC 0400 AM HEAVY SNOW SPIRIT 45.45N 90.10W 04/16/2018 M7.0 INCH PRICE WI COCORAHS COCORAHS STATION WI-PR-7, SPIRIT. 1200 AM SNOW USDA FORESTRY SCIENCE L 47.24N 93.50W 04/16/2018 M3.9 INCH ITASCA MN CO-OP OBSERVER CO-OP OBSERVER STATION GRPM5, USDA FORESTRY SCIENCE LAB. 1200 AM HEAVY SNOW SUPERIOR, WI 46.73N 92.07W 04/16/2018 M6.0 INCH LSZ145 WI CO-OP OBSERVER CO-OP OBSERVER STATION SWTW3, SUPERIOR, WI. 0700 PM HEAVY SNOW 1 NE ESKO 46.72N 92.35W 04/15/2018 M8.7 INCH CARLTON MN COCORAHS COCORAHS STATION MN-CN-19, 1 NE ESKO. 0700 PM SNOW BRIMSON 2S 47.25N 91.86W 04/15/2018 M2.6 INCH ST. LOUIS MN CO-OP OBSERVER CO-OP OBSERVER STATION BRMM5, BRIMSON 2S. 0600 PM HEAVY SNOW UPSON 46.37N 90.41W 04/15/2018 M9.7 INCH IRON WI CO-OP OBSERVER CO-OP OBSERVER STATION UPSW3, UPSON. 0500 PM HEAVY SNOW WRENSHALL 46.62N 92.39W 04/15/2018 M6.0 INCH CARLTON MN COCORAHS COCORAHS STATION MN-CN-20, WRENSHALL. 0400 PM HEAVY SNOW 7 W COUDERAY 45.87N 91.45W 04/15/2018 M9.6 INCH SAWYER WI CO-OP OBSERVER CO-OP OBSERVER STATION COUW3, 7 W COUDERAY. 0200 PM SNOW TWO HARBORS 47.02N 91.66W 04/15/2018 M0.9 INCH LAKE MN CO-OP OBSERVER CO-OP OBSERVER STATION TOHM5, TWO HARBORS.
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