Weather Story

Scattered Storms Today, a Few Severe

Northland 4-Day Forecast

Northland Drought Update - Extreme Drought NW WI

Int. Falls Paid Snow Observer Needed

Scattered showers and thunderstorms are forecast this afternoon and evening. A few storms may become strong to severe, with the capability of producing large hail up to the size of ping pongs and damaging wind gusts to 70 mph. While not everyone will get severe weather or even rainfall, those in the yellow shaded area, including Duluth, Hibbing, Hinckley and Hayward have the highest chance for severe storms. The yellow shaded area is where the Storm Prediction Center has placed a level 2 out of 5 (Slight) risk of severe storms. The storms are most likely between 3:00 PM and 9:00 PM today. Ensure you have multiple ways to receive weather warnings!

Here is a look at the weather for the upcoming week from NWS Duluth. Expect chances for showers and thunderstorms today, highest along and north of the Iron Range, with lower chances to the south. After an early morning round of storms, additional storms are expected this afternoon and evening. These afternoon and evening storms may become strong to severe with large hail and damaging winds. There will be another chance of showers and isolated, non-severe storms Wednesday afternoon and early evening. Drier weather is expected for Thursday and Friday with clearing skies and comfortable high temperatures in the 70s all week.

All of the Northland is experiencing Moderate (D1) to Extreme (D3) Drought conditions with the Drought Monitor update this week. This is the first time Extreme (D3) Drought conditions have been in the Northland since October 2023.

Did you know that the record of official snowfall observations in International Falls goes back to the early 1900s? NWS Duluth is looking for someone who is interested in helping continue that record as a paid snowfall observer this winter! This is a unique opportunity as there are only a handful of paid observers in the country, put in place to guarantee the continuity of the data record. This paid observer can be anyone in International Falls. Payment is a base pay of $125 a month, plus $4 for every observation submitted for the period from October 1 to April 30. A 6am morning observation is required every day, and 6 hourly observations are needed if there is new snowfall. Contact NWS Duluth at nws.duluth@noaa.gov or the Observation Program Leader Steve Gohde at steve.gohde@noaa.gov if you are interested. Additional information: The NWS in Duluth will provide the observer with all needed equipment including a standard 8 inch rain gauge, measuring sticks, and snowboards. If there is no new snowfall, the only observation needed is one at 6am, to report zero precipitation/snowfall and current snow depth (the depth of snowpack currently on the ground). If there is new snow, a 6 hourly observation is needed, including precipitation (the melted down liquid water equivalent of any snow/sleet/freezing rain that has fallen), snowfall (new amount of snow that has fallen since the last observation), and snow depth. Once a week on Monday, observers can provide a snow water equivalent (SWE) report, which is a measurement of the amount of liquid water contained within the snowpack on the ground. Training will be provided from NWS Duluth. Each observation, including online entry, generally takes about 5-15 minutes. All observations are submitted via an online platform. If additional observations are needed into May, the observer will still be paid for individual observations, but no monthly base pay is available. Ideally, the observer has a relatively open, undisturbed area where observations can be taken and a rain gauge can be installed.