North Shore Snowfall

Increased snowfall along the shore is not as pronounced in Minnesota as it is in Wisconsin and Michigan. Portions of Michigan's Upper Peninsula normally receive 350 inches of snow, while downtown Duluth receives an average of only 55 inches. Because the air cools and releases moisture as it rises, more snow—79 inches—falls over the hill in Duluth, a mile or more from the lake. Sometimes when snow is falling over the hill, it is raining near the shore.

View snow depth maps dating back to 1996.

Image Courtesy of MN DOT, Analysis of Snow Climatology

Current Conditions

View current weather conditions at the Ranger Station