Overview
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A strong area of low pressure brought heavy snowfall and very strong winds to much of the Northland starting on Wednesday the 23rd and lingering into Thursday the 24th. This storm was unique in that widespread blizzard conditions occurred across the upper Midwest, including areas from the Brainerd Lakes east towards the North Shore, Twin Ports, and Interstate 35 corridor with many observed wind gusts between 50 and 70 mph. Very strong frontogenesis occurred along a trowal axis that extended across much of northern Wisconsin west into Minnesota. Warm air advection caused temperatures across most of northwest Wisconsin and east-central Minnesota to rise above freezing and produce mixed precipitation for several hours during the day. As the cold front gradually moved east, temperatures very quickly dropped and caused treacherous road conditions as mixed precipitation changed over to snow. Narrow bands of heavy snow set up over the Brainerd Lakes northeast towards the Iron Range during the early morning and early afternoon, and then translated east towards the Twin Ports, North Shore, and Interstate 35 corridor. The heavy snow bands coincided with the strong mid-level frontogenesis, which also produced very strong northwest winds that caused the widespread blizzard conditions. A maximum gust of 70 mph was recorded at the Bay of Grand Marais during the height of the storm. Damage was reported to buildings and other infrastructure, in addition to some power outages and widespread whiteout conditions that made travel difficult if not impossible. As the cold front swept rapidly eastward, bitterly cold air moved into the region and led to the development of a topographically-forced gravity wave during the night of the 23rd that dropped several more inches of snow from Two Harbors to Superior to Holyoke. The highest snowfall report was 13 inches of snow in Holyoke under this band. Further east, lake-effect snow continued into Thursday along the South Shore. Gile, Wisconsin, saw 18.5 inches of snow before lake-effect snow tapered off Thursday evening. |
 Snowfall Totals for the December 23-24, 2020 Storm |
Snow
PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DULUTH MN 421 PM CST THU DEC 24 2020 ...UPDATED SNOWFALL REPORTS FROM YESTERDAYS STORM... LOCATION AMOUNT TIME/DATE PROVIDER GILE 18.5 IN 1115 PM 12/24 CO-OP OBSERVER HOLYOKE 13.0 IN 0846 AM 12/24 PUBLIC WRENSHALL 9.7 SSE 12.3 IN 0700 AM 12/24 COCORAHS 9 WNW HOVLAND 10.0 IN 1022 AM 12/24 TRAINED SPOTTER 5 W WASHBURN 10.0 IN 0830 AM 12/24 PUBLIC POPLAR 4.1 WSW 9.5 IN 0700 AM 12/24 COCORAHS TWO HARBORS 9.5 IN 0700 AM 12/24 COOP 21 N GRAND MARAIS 9.3 IN 0200 PM 12/24 PUBLIC 3 W BAYFIELD 9.0 IN 0820 AM 12/24 PUBLIC POPLAR 2.0 E 9.0 IN 0700 AM 12/24 COCORAHS 2 NNW MELLEN 8.8 IN 0241 PM 12/24 TRAINED SPOTTER BAYFIELD 5.1 NNW 8.5 IN 0700 AM 12/24 COCORAHS DULUTH 1.2 SE 8.5 IN 0538 AM 12/24 COCORAHS GRANTSBURG 0.6 SW (KWIGRANT1 8.5 IN 0732 AM 12/24 COCORAHS 3 N AMNICON FALLS S.P. 8.0 IN 0113 AM 12/24 TRAINED SPOTTER 1 NNW LAKE NEBAGAMON 8.0 IN 1147 AM 12/24 PUBLIC 6 SE OLIVER 8.0 IN 0829 PM 12/23 TRAINED SPOTTER 2 WNW WASHBURN 8.0 IN 0859 AM 12/24 PUBLIC BAYFIELD 1.7 SW 7.4 IN 0700 AM 12/24 COCORAHS ELY 25 E 7.2 IN 0700 AM 12/24 COOP BABBITT 7.0 IN 0700 AM 12/24 COOP BENNETT 7.0 IN 0343 PM 12/24 PUBLIC DELTA 7.0 IN 0834 AM 12/24 PUBLIC 2 SSW ELY 7.0 IN 0955 AM 12/24 PUBLIC 5 E MELLEN 7.0 IN 1109 AM 12/24 PUBLIC SARONA 7.0 IN 0913 PM 12/23 PUBLIC SARONA 4.5 NNE 7.0 IN 0700 AM 12/24 COCORAHS BUYCK 6.8 IN 0534 PM 12/23 PUBLIC 7 E PINE CITY 6.5 IN 0119 PM 12/24 PUBLIC 3 E WRIGHT 6.4 IN 0600 AM 12/24 COOP 7 N MCGREGOR 6.3 IN 0700 AM 12/24 COCORAHS ASHLAND 0.5 WNW 6.1 IN 0700 AM 12/24 COCORAHS CHISHOLM 0.4 WSW 6.1 IN 0700 AM 12/24 COCORAHS 1 N CLOQUET 6.0 IN 1017 PM 12/23 NWS EMPLOYEE 3 NE DULUTH 6.0 IN 0754 AM 12/24 NWS EMPLOYEE DULUTH 11.8 NNE 6.0 IN 0800 AM 12/24 COCORAHS HAYWARD 9.2 NNE 6.0 IN 0600 AM 12/24 COCORAHS IRON JUNCTION 3.4 NNW 6.0 IN 0700 AM 12/24 COCORAHS 6 N KNIFE RIVER 6.0 IN 1115 AM 12/24 TRAINED SPOTTER MASON 11.5 WNW 6.0 IN 0800 AM 12/24 COCORAHS 6 NW WEALTHWOOD 6.0 IN 0915 AM 12/24 PUBLIC WRIGHT 9.2 NNE 6.0 IN 0700 AM 12/24 COCORAHS KEEWATIN 0.2 SSE 5.9 IN 0800 AM 12/24 COCORAHS FORT RIPLEY 0.8 N 5.8 IN 0700 AM 12/24 COCORAHS GRAND MARAIS 4.4 WSW 5.8 IN 0700 AM 12/24 COCORAHS 4 NNW NEW POST 5.8 IN 1003 AM 12/24 TRAINED SPOTTER SOLON SPRINGS 1.2 W 5.8 IN 0700 AM 12/24 COCORAHS ELY 5.7 IN 1123 AM 12/24 TRAINED SPOTTER 2 WNW SPOONER 5.7 IN 0934 AM 12/24 PUBLIC 4 WSW NORTHWOODS BEACH 5.5 IN 1002 AM 12/24 PUBLIC ASHLAND 9.8 W 5.2 IN 0600 AM 12/24 COCORAHS 1 S CORNUCOPIA 5.2 IN 0832 AM 12/24 TRAINED SPOTTER 12 N ISLE 5.2 IN 0800 AM 12/24 COOP 3 N MAHTOWA 5.2 IN 1029 PM 12/23 TRAINED SPOTTER MELLEN 18.6 SW 5.2 IN 0656 AM 12/24 COCORAHS NWS DULUTH 5.2 IN 1200 AM 12/24 OFFICIAL NWS OBSERVATION ODANAH 1.6 E 5.2 IN 0700 AM 12/24 COCORAHS 1 WSW BLACKBERRY 5.0 IN 0247 PM 12/24 TRAINED SPOTTER BLUEBERRY 5.0 IN 0705 PM 12/23 TRAINED SPOTTER DULUTH 17.6 NNW 5.0 IN 0530 AM 12/24 COCORAHS DULUTH 7.9 SW 5.0 IN 0900 AM 12/24 COCORAHS 2 W HAYWARD 5.0 IN 0739 AM 12/24 TRAINED SPOTTER HERTEL 5.0 IN 0838 AM 12/24 PUBLIC 2 SW ISLAND VIEW 5.0 IN 0932 AM 12/24 PUBLIC 3.7 NE SEA GULL LAKE 5.0 IN 0700 AM 12/24 COOP STONE LAKE 2.0 NW 5.0 IN 0700 AM 12/24 COCORAHS TAMARACK 1.4 SW 5.0 IN 0700 AM 12/24 COCORAHS 2 SW TWO HARBORS 5.0 IN 1019 AM 12/24 TRAINED SPOTTER 7 NW TWO HARBORS 4.7 IN 0807 PM 12/23 CO-OP OBSERVER OAKLAND 9.0 ENE 4.6 IN 0700 AM 12/24 COCORAHS BUTTERNUT 3 N 4.5 IN 0500 AM 12/24 COOP BRAINERD 4.1 IN 0700 AM 12/24 COOP BARNES 2.2 S 4.0 IN 0700 AM 12/24 COCORAHS BUTTERNUT 5.9 SW 4.0 IN 0630 AM 12/24 COCORAHS 8 NNW COLERAINE 4.0 IN 0731 AM 12/24 TRAINED SPOTTER COLERAINE 1.5 S 4.0 IN 0700 AM 12/24 COCORAHS COOK 8NE 4.0 IN 0600 AM 12/24 COOP COTTON 4.0 IN 0700 AM 12/24 COOP 2 W IRON JUNCTION 4.0 IN 1040 PM 12/23 TRAINED SPOTTER 3 NNE LITTLE ROUND LAKE 4.0 IN 0759 AM 12/24 TRAINED SPOTTER MERCER 2.0 SE 4.0 IN 0730 AM 12/24 COCORAHS SOLON SPRINGS 4.0 IN 1116 AM 12/24 PUBLIC 4 SSE WEBSTER 4.0 IN 1154 AM 12/24 TRAINED SPOTTER 5 NNE TALMOON 3.9 IN 0900 AM 12/24 TRAINED SPOTTER BIG FALLS 1.0 N 3.8 IN 0800 AM 12/24 COCORAHS BOVEY 13.4 N 3.8 IN 0652 AM 12/24 COCORAHS 8 SE BRAINERD 3.7 IN 0954 AM 12/24 PUBLIC CANYON 4.6 NNE 3.5 IN 0800 AM 12/24 COCORAHS COHASSET 7.6 NNW 3.5 IN 0700 AM 12/24 COCORAHS COTTON 5.7 ESE 3.5 IN 0800 AM 12/24 COCORAHS CROSBY 1.1 SW 3.5 IN 0700 AM 12/24 COCORAHS 5 N HAYWARD 3.5 IN 0825 PM 12/23 TRAINED SPOTTER MERCER 7.0 NNE 3.2 IN 0700 AM 12/24 COCORAHS KABETOGAMA 1.5 NW 3.1 IN 0800 AM 12/24 COCORAHS CASS LAKE 3.0 IN 0800 AM 12/24 COOP 4 NE EAST GULL LAKE 3.0 IN 1206 PM 12/24 PUBLIC EMBARRASS 3.0 IN 0600 AM 12/24 COOP PILLAGER 5.1 N 3.0 IN 0610 AM 12/24 COCORAHS ORR 3 E 2.9 IN 0600 AM 12/24 COOP AITKIN 9.6 W 2.8 IN 0800 AM 12/24 COCORAHS INTERNATIONAL FALLS 2.8 IN 0600 PM 12/23 OFFICIAL NWS OBSERVATION CELINA 2 E 2.5 IN 0900 AM 12/24 COOP 7 WSW PINE RIVER 2.5 IN 1130 PM 12/23 TRAINED SPOTTER CLOQUET 3.4 ENE 2.0 IN 0700 AM 12/24 COCORAHS GRAND RAPIDS 6.1 N 1.8 IN 0700 AM 12/24 COCORAHS BRANTWOOD 7.4 S 1.5 IN 0400 AM 12/24 COCORAHS PHILLIPS 1.3 S 1.5 IN 0600 AM 12/24 COCORAHS PHILLIPS 0.4 SSW 1.4 IN 0700 AM 12/24 COCORAHS TROMMALD 6.1 NW 1.4 IN 0800 AM 12/24 COCORAHS 3 NE NISSWA 1.0 IN 0700 AM 12/24 UCOOP 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
PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DULUTH MN 1113 AM CST THU DEC 24 2020 ...HIGHEST WIND REPORTS OVER LAST 24 HOURS... LOCATION SPEED TIME/DATE PROVIDER GRAND MARAIS 70 MPH 0656 PM 12/23 NDBC 1 SSE SILVER BAY 66 MPH 0540 PM 12/23 NDBC DULUTH HARBOR 60 MPH 0536 PM 12/23 NOS-NWLON CLOQUET AIRPORT 58 MPH 0535 PM 12/23 AWOS BRAINERD AIRPORT 56 MPH 0653 PM 12/23 ASOS DULUTH INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT 55 MPH 0655 PM 12/23 ASOS DULUTH SKY HARBOR AIRPORT 54 MPH 0415 PM 12/23 AWOS BLATNIK BRIDGE SOUTH ABUTMEN 53 MPH 0619 PM 12/23 MNDOT DEVILS ISLAND 53 MPH 0500 PM 12/23 NDBC BLATNIK BRIDGE 52 MPH 0551 PM 12/23 MNDOT ATKINSON BRIDGE I-35 MILE PO 47 MPH 0510 PM 12/23 MNDOT CHISHOLM-HIBBING AIRPORT 47 MPH 0749 PM 12/23 ASOS DULUTH I-35 AND GARFIELD RWI 45 MPH 0228 PM 12/23 MNDOT GRAND MARAIS AIRPORT 45 MPH 0855 PM 12/23 AWOS GRAND RAPIDS AIRPORT 45 MPH 0656 PM 12/23 AWOS MCGREGOR AIRPORT 45 MPH 0635 PM 12/23 AWOS CASS LAKE US-2 MILE POST 131 44 MPH 0220 PM 12/23 MNDOT MOOSE LAKE AIRPORT 44 MPH 0555 PM 12/23 AWOS DULUTH 1.8 NE 43 MPH 0616 PM 12/23 CWOP 1 WSW VIRGINIA 42 MPH 0521 PM 12/23 MNDOT ANDERSON ROAD RWIS 41 MPH 0435 PM 12/23 MNDOT INTERNATIONAL FALLS AIRPORT 40 MPH 0354 PM 12/23 ASOS HIBBING RAWS 39 MPH 0907 PM 12/23 RAWS PLINY MN-65 MILE POST 98 39 MPH 0135 PM 12/23 MNDOT 1 N PORT WING 39 MPH 0240 AM 12/24 NDBC WALKER MN AWOS 39 MPH 1155 AM 12/23 AWOS BRAINERD RAWS 38 MPH 1206 PM 12/23 RAWS HINCKLEY AIRPORT 38 MPH 0455 PM 12/23 AWOS NORTHOME 38 MPH 1015 PM 12/23 CWOP ST. CROIX RAWS 38 MPH 0515 PM 12/23 RAWS 4 NE DULUTH 37 MPH 0533 PM 12/23 CWOP MITCHELL BRIDGE MN-169 MILE 37 MPH 0720 PM 12/23 MNDOT AITKIN AIRPORT 36 MPH 0215 PM 12/23 AWOS EVELETH-VIRGINIA AIRPORT 36 MPH 1255 AM 12/24 AWOS ISABELLA RAWS 36 MPH 0804 PM 12/23 RAWS LA POINTE AIRPORT 36 MPH 0535 PM 12/23 AWOS LIND RAWS 36 MPH 0706 PM 12/23 RAWS PINE RIVER AIRPORT 36 MPH 0119 PM 12/23 AWOS COTTON US-53 MILE POST 41 35 MPH 0126 PM 12/23 MNDOT HILL CITY RAWS 35 MPH 0607 PM 12/23 RAWS SUPERIOR AIRPORT 35 MPH 0335 PM 12/23 AWOS TWIG MN-53 MILE POST 21 35 MPH 0220 PM 12/23 MNDOT 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 and Video
Damage Photos
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| A large spruce tree that was downed by the 60-70 mph wind gusts in Grand Marais. (Kelsey Kennedy photo) |
A large spruce tree that was downed by the 60-70 mph wind gusts in Grand Marais. (Kelsey Kennedy photo) |
A photo of the tree on a much nicer day showing how large it was. (Kelsey Kennedy photo) |
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| A roof was peeled off a building by the winds on the north side of Superior. (Debbie Johnson photo) |
A roof was peeled off a building by the winds on the north side of Superior. (Debbie Johnson photo) |
A roof was peeled off a building by the winds on the north side of Superior. (Debbie Johnson photo) |
Video
Video of the height of the blizzard at the Duluth Ship Canal.
(Source: Dennis O'Hara/duluthharborcam.com)
Environment
Surface analyses during the event.
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| 12z 12/23 Surface Analysis | 18z 12/23 Surface Analysis | 00z 12/24 Surface Analysis |
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| 06z 12/24 Surface Analysis | 12z 12/24 Surface Analysis |
Upper-air data at 20z.
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| 20z 12/23 300mb | 20z 12/23 500mb | 20z 12/23 700mb |
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| 20z 12/23 850mb | 20z 12/23 925mb |
Observed sounding data.
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| The 12z/6AM 12/23 observed sounding from MPX showing strong mid-level lapse rates and a surface layer primed to mix out and bring strong winds to the surface. This is the airmass that moved into the Northland later in the day. | The 00z 12/24 / 6PM 12/23 observed sounding from MPX depicting the very strong winds at the top of the mixed layer and the stout inversion at the top of the layer. |
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