What should you know about Duluth's weather?
- NWS office
- Duluth (DLH)
- Climate
- Warm-summer humid continental
- Time zone
- CST/CDT
- Elevation
- 703 ft
- Coordinates
- 46.78° N, 92.11° W
- Nearest radar
- KDLH · Duluth NEXRAD · 6 mi
- County
- St. Louis County, MN
- Yearly rain
- 31.2 in
- Warmest month
- July · 67°F average
- Coldest month
- January · 11.2°F average
- Severe storm peak
- Jun to Aug
How much rain does Duluth get each month?
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | 19.9 | 24.8 | 36.2 | 49.2 | 63.0 | 72.1 | 77.7 | 75.8 | 67.2 | 52.7 | 37.1 | 24.7 |
| Low °F | 2.4 | 6.0 | 17.8 | 29.9 | 41.0 | 50.2 | 56.2 | 55.2 | 47.3 | 35.6 | 22.5 | 9.6 |
| Rain (in) | 0.95 | 1.01 | 1.46 | 2.53 | 3.37 | 4.39 | 3.92 | 3.73 | 3.48 | 2.91 | 1.96 | 1.47 |
| Month | High °F | Low °F | Rain (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 19.9 | 2.4 | 0.95 |
| Feb | 24.8 | 6.0 | 1.01 |
| Mar | 36.2 | 17.8 | 1.46 |
| Apr | 49.2 | 29.9 | 2.53 |
| May | 63.0 | 41.0 | 3.37 |
| Jun | 72.1 | 50.2 | 4.39 |
| Jul | 77.7 | 56.2 | 3.92 |
| Aug | 75.8 | 55.2 | 3.73 |
| Sep | 67.2 | 47.3 | 3.48 |
| Oct | 52.7 | 35.6 | 2.91 |
| Nov | 37.1 | 22.5 | 1.96 |
| Dec | 24.7 | 9.6 | 1.47 |
DULUTH, MN US · 6 mi away · NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991 to 2020
How much snow does Duluth get in a normal winter?
The 1991 to 2020 normal for Duluth is 90.2 inches a season. Some winters run far higher: 2022 to 2023 was the snowiest season on record with 140.1 inches, besting 1995 to 1996 by nearly 5 inches. Snowfall records for the Duluth area go back to 1885. NWS Duluth counts each snow season from July to June.
What was the Halloween Blizzard of 1991?
It was a storm that began on Halloween and buried Duluth under 36.9 inches of snow, with 45 inches in Superior. Snow started at about 1:00 pm on October 31 and did not end until 1:00 pm on November 3, about 72 hours of nonstop snow. NWS Duluth lists the 24.1 inches that fell on November 1 as the biggest single day snowfall in Duluth. Winds gusting to 40 mph built huge drifts and cut visibility to zero.
Does the Duluth weather radar show lake-effect snow over the city?
Yes, when it happens, though NWS Duluth calls lake-effect snow in the Twin Ports rare. On March 13, 2017, a narrow band developed quickly overnight over western Duluth. It was about 5 miles wide and dropped snow at about 2 to 3 inches per hour before drifting southeast over Superior. Some people woke up to piles of snow while others had a dusting.
What happened in the June 2012 Duluth flood?
A front stalled just south of Duluth and fed thunderstorms over the city on June 19 and 20, 2012. Duluth's official rainfall total on June 19 was 4.14 inches, and the airport got another 3.11 inches on June 20, for an official event total of 7.25 inches. Some Duluth neighborhoods got 8 to 10 inches. Kingsbury Creek flooded the Lake Superior Zoo and drowned over a dozen animals. The Chester Creek Dam also failed, and a state of emergency was declared in Duluth.
How cold does Duluth get?
January averages 11.2°F, with a normal low of 2.4°F. Duluth averages 37.7 days a year with a low of 0°F or colder and 99.4 days with a high of 32°F or colder. The first fall freeze comes later by the water: the median date is October 1 at the main Duluth station but October 12 at the Duluth Harbor station.
When should you check the Duluth radar?
Storm peak
June to AugustAbout 71% of the county's 1996 to 2025 severe reports fall from June to August. Crowds at Bayfront Festival Park check the loop before summer concerts.
Snow season
October 24 to April 26Those are Duluth's average dates for the first and last measurable snow. Drivers check the loop before climbing the steep avenues and Skyline Parkway.
What else do people ask about the Duluth radar?
Which NWS office and radar cover Duluth?
NWS Duluth (DLH) issues forecasts and warnings for Duluth. The nearest NEXRAD radar is KDLH, about 6 miles from the city center.
How often does the radar on this page update?
The radar loop on this page updates every 5 minutes.
Is this page an official warning service?
No. It shows radar and forecasts only. For warnings, follow NWS Duluth and local emergency alerts.
Quick facts
- Radar: KDLH (Duluth NEXRAD), a new frame every 5 minutes
- Forecasts and warnings: NWS Duluth (DLH)
- Severe storms peak from June to August (NOAA Storm Events, 1996 to 2025)
- Local time: CST/CDT
- Radar: KDLH, a new frame every 5 minutes
- Warnings: NWS Duluth (DLH)
- Severe storms: June to August
- Local time: CST/CDT
Where does this data come from?
- NOAA NEXRAD radar via Iowa Environmental Mesonet
- National Weather Service, Duluth office
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991 to 2020: DULUTH, MN US
- NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, 1996 to 2025
- USGS Elevation Point Query Service
- GOES-East satellite imagery
- Open-Meteo forecast API
- OpenStreetMap contributors
- NWS Duluth: Northland seasonal snowfall records
- NOAA NCEI: Assessing the U.S. climate in April 2023
- NOAA NCEI: 1991 to 2020 normals, Duluth
- NWS Duluth: The 1991 Halloween Blizzard
- NWS Duluth: March 13, 2017 Twin Ports lake effect snow
- NWS Duluth: June 2012 Duluth flood
- NWS Duluth: Northland winter season climate stats and records
- NOAA NCEI: 1991 to 2020 normals, Duluth Harbor station