(Thursday, Feb. 19, 9 a.m.) – Mayor Roger Reinert said Thursday the city has moved into the cleanup phase of a major winter storm that dumped 10 to 16 inches of snow across Duluth since Tuesday night, including an additional 6 inches in some neighborhoods overnight.
“Alright, Duluth. So it is Thursday. We've survived the bulk of the storm,” Reinert said in a video update posted to YouTube. “We got another bonus round of somewhere around six inches depending on where you are in Duluth last night. So that brings us to 10 to 16 inches across the city of Duluth.”
The storm prompted the National Weather Service office in Duluth to downgrade conditions Wednesday evening from a blizzard warning to a winter weather advisory as snowfall and winds gradually diminished. Forecasters said an additional 1 to 3 inches was possible through Thursday as the system moved out of the region.
Road conditions remain difficult in some areas due to heavy snow compaction and earlier whiteout conditions. Officials have urged residents to avoid travel if possible and to carry an emergency weather kit if they must be on the roads.
City crews resumed full plowing operations at 2 a.m. with the full fleet of 40 trucks and graders, continuing work across roughly 530 miles of roadway.
Reinert said Priority 1 routes — the city’s main corridors — were cleared before the latest snowfall but required another round of plowing.
“The P ones were in really good shape, and then we got all that snow and as we've said before, that fallback and hit those P ones again because they're primary routes in the way for medical workers and others who can't stay home to get where they need to go,” he said.
Crews have been working overnight on Priority 2 residential streets and are about 25 percent complete, Reinert said.
“They've been pushing into the P twos, the residentials all night long. They're about a quarter done. They'll be working on that all day long,” he said. “And then you can expect tonight and then tomorrow get after alleys and those dead ends and side streets.”
“So now we're into truly cleanup phase and there are a couple of things where we will need the community help,” Reinert added.
The mayor identified sidewalks and buried vehicles as the next challenges.
“The first of those is sidewalks. The second's going to be how do we unbury those cars? We'll talk about that this afternoon,” he said.
Under city ordinance, property owners are responsible for clearing adjacent sidewalks.
“Just a reminder that sidewalks belong to the adjoining residential or commercial property owner under city ordinance. It's our responsibility to clear our own sidewalks,” Reinert said. “Totally get that with this heavy, wet, big snowfall. That's super challenging.”
He encouraged residents to review available assistance and tips for hiring help if needed, noting that keeping sidewalks clear is critical for safety.
“But clearing sidewalks is super important. We don't want people walking in the streets that can be really unsafe with streets not being in the best condition in cars moving around,” he said.
Parked and illegally parked vehicles have continued to delay plowing efforts, according to city officials. Residents are reminded that alternate-side parking remains in effect on the odd-numbered side of streets this week and that vehicles in violation may be ticketed or towed.
As cleanup continues, Reinert urged residents to work together.
“So, hey Duluth, let's get after this together. This is winter in the Northland.”
(Wednesday, Feb. 18, 8 p.m.) – Snowfall and winds eased throughout today, prompting the National Weather Service in Duluth to downgrade the storm from a blizzard warning to a winter weather advisory.
Forecasters expect an additional 1 to 3 inches of snow through the evening and into Thursday as the system moves out of the region. Road conditions remain difficult in some areas because of heavy snow compaction. Officials advised residents to avoid travel if possible. Those who must travel are urged to carry an emergency weather kit.
City of Duluth snowplow crews made significant progress on Priority 1 routes, the city’s main roads, and completed at least one pass on more than half of Priority 2 residential streets. Crews were slowed earlier in the day by the high moisture content of the snow and reduced visibility from whiteout conditions.
Plow operators are scheduled to resume full operations at 2 a.m. with the city’s full fleet of 40 trucks and graders to continue clearing Priority 1 routes and expand into Priority 2 and Priority 3 areas, which include alleyways and gravel minimum-maintenance roads. A limited number of operators will continue working overnight to maintain emergency access and keep main routes clear.
Officials said parked and illegally parked vehicles continue to delay plowing efforts. Residents are reminded to follow posted parking regulations. Vehicles in violation may be ticketed or towed. Alternate-side parking is in effect on the odd-numbered side of the street this week.
(Wednesday, Feb. 18, 9:41 a.m.) – City of Duluth offices will operate with reduced staffing today because of inclement weather.
City facilities will remain open to the public, but staffing will be limited. Some offices may be closed, with employees working remotely.
Residents are encouraged to call ahead to confirm that the office or department they plan to visit is staffed before arriving in person.
Duluth Parks and Recreation also canceled all recreational programming scheduled for Wednesday because of weather conditions.
(Wednesday, Feb. 18, 8:22 a.m.) — Residents awoke Wednesday to 4 to 8 inches of heavy, wet snow as blizzard conditions overnight brought down trees and power lines in multiple locations.
The National Weather Service in Duluth is forecasting several additional inches of snow through the day, with sustained winds and gusts exceeding 40 mph. Winds are expected to gradually diminish later Wednesday.
Road conditions remain hazardous due to compacted snow and intermittent whiteout conditions. Officials are urging residents to avoid travel if possible. Those who must travel are advised to carry an emergency weather kit.
City snowplow crews have completed a full pass on Priority 1 routes and continue to focus on main roadways. Operators will move into Priority 2 residential streets as conditions allow. Heavy, moisture-laden snow and reduced visibility are slowing progress.
The city’s full fleet of 40 plow trucks and motor graders is working across 530 miles of roadway to clear snow and apply grit. Officials caution that progress will be slower than usual because of ongoing weather conditions.
Parked and illegally parked vehicles continue to impede plowing operations. Residents are reminded to follow parking regulations to avoid citations or towing. Alternate-side parking remains in effect on the odd-numbered side of streets this week.
(Tuesday, Feb. 17, 4:10 p.m.) — A powerful winter storm is expected to move into the Twin Ports starting tonight, bringing heavy snow, strong winds and the potential for blizzard conditions across northeastern Minnesota and northwestern Wisconsin.
Forecasters say a wintry mix will develop this evening before changing to all snow overnight. Temperatures are expected to fall to around 27 degrees, with east-northeast winds increasing to 25 to 35 mph. Gusts could exceed 50 mph at times.
Total snowfall of 8 to 12 inches, along with ice accumulation, is expected through Wednesday. The chance of precipitation is 100 percent.
City of Duluth snowplow operators will work on clearing Priority 1 roadways (P1s or mains) as conditions demand, with full plow operations starting at 2 a.m. Wednesday. The City of Duluth asks residents to avoid driving if they can, and to give the plow operators plenty of room to operate if they must be on the roads.
Illegally parked cars continue to be an issue that hampers plowing progress, so please be mindful of parking regulations, or risk your vehicle being ticketed and/or towed. Alternate side parking is on the odd side of the street this week.
Snow will continue Wednesday, with another 3 to 5 inches possible during the day as winds remain strong from the east-northeast at 25 to 35 mph. The high temperature is expected to reach about 30 degrees. Blowing and drifting snow could significantly reduce visibility, especially in open areas and along the Lake Superior shoreline.
Light snow Wednesday evening is expected to taper to snow showers overnight, with an additional 1 to 3 inches possible. Lows will dip to around 24 degrees, with winds decreasing to 15 to 25 mph.
Snow showers are forecast to continue Thursday, with mostly cloudy skies and a high near 28 degrees. About an inch of additional accumulation is possible. Winds will shift to the northeast at 10 to 20 mph.
Cloudy skies are expected Thursday night, with a low near 20 degrees and north winds at 10 to 15 mph.
Travel conditions are expected to deteriorate quickly tonight and remain hazardous through Wednesday, particularly in Duluth and Superior. Motorists are urged to allow extra time, reduce speeds and prepare for rapidly changing visibility as the storm moves through the region.