Weather in the News

Extreme Temps: Ruth House Warming Center Offers Place to Stay

SUPERIOR, Wis. –With a severe cold spell hitting the Twin Ports in the upcoming days, Superior’s only warming center is seeing an increase in visitors. The Ruth House warming center is open every night that temps drop past 30 degrees. With an Extreme Cold Warming being issued for the northland, the warming house is encouraging people who are homeless to…

Important Tips for Braving Dangerous Temperatures

DULUTH, Minn.– The winter season is feeling a bit more seasonal this year, because some freezing cold temperatures are on the horizon. The Northland is bracing for a cold stretch, lasting through next Wednesday. With temperatures falling well into the negative teens and ’20s. Temps that low matched with windchill are especially dangerous, because frostbite can occur in as little…

24 Dead As Crews Try To Corral Los Angeles Wildfires Before Winds Return

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Firefighters scrambled Sunday to make further progress against wildfires that have destroyed thousands of homes and killed 24 people in the Los Angeles area as forecasters again warned of dangerous weather with the return of strong winds this week. At least 16 people were missing, and authorities said that number was expected to rise. The National…

Deadly Los Angeles Wildfires Rage On; FOX 21’s Perspective Of Fires On Northland Map

DULUTH, Minn. — Click the video above to watch FOX 21’s coverage at 9 p.m. Wednesday of the raging, fatal wildfires in the Los Angeles area.  Plus, Meteorologist Rusty Mehlberg gives a perspective of what the size of the fires over Los Angeles would look in Duluth and other parts of the Northland.  It’s a perspective that really opens your…

Heaviest Snowfall In A Decade Possible In Parts Of U.S.

A blast of snow, ice, wind and plunging temperatures stirred up dangerous travel conditions in parts of the central U.S. on Sunday, as a disruptive winter storm brought the possibility of the “heaviest snowfall in a decade” to some areas. Snow and ice blanketed major roadways in nearly all of Kansas, western Nebraska and parts of Indiana, where the state’s…

John Beargrease Sled Dog Race Postponed for 2nd Year in a Row

NORTHERN MINNESOTA – Unusual winter weather has yet again postponed the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon for a second year. All three races –  the 40-miler, the 120 miler, and the 300-mile marathon – were originally scheduled for January 26. But today, the board of directors announced on social media that the race will be postponed to March 2. The…

Photographers Capture the Deep Freeze

DULUTH, Minn.– The severe cold isn’t stopping photographers to emerge from the thick fog on the lake, just to get that perfect shot. Typically, in the summer, you can find people crowding around the harbor waiting for boats to come in. The boat enthusiasts aren’t letting the cold stop them. Some of the dedicated photographers, coming from out of state, and…

City Of Duluth Statement Ahead Of First Measurable Snowfall Of Season

“The City of Duluth is monitoring the winter weather forecast. Street maintenance crews will be out plowing snow and clearing ice from roadways as conditions demand. Roads are expected to become slippery with the mixed precipitation forecast for the region in the earlier morning. While currently only one to three inches of snow seem most likely for the City of…

Twin Ports Power Crews Arrive In Hurricane-Damaged Florida

TAMPA BAY, FL – Power crews from the Twin Ports have arrived in Tampa Bay, Florida to help restore hundreds of thousands of people still without power. Twenty workers from Minnesota Power and Superior Water Light & Power arrived in Florida Friday. 300,000 customers with Tampa Bay Electric are still without power, according to a spokesperson with Minnesota Power. The…

8 Kayakers Rescued From Bayfield’s Meyers Beach

Courtesy: USCG BAYFIELD, Minn. –  The United States Coast Guard responded to a water rescue Sunday at Meyers Beach in Bayfield. Crews responded to a report of two capsized kayakers who were clinging to another person’s kayak. The two kayakers were part of a group of eight kayakers. The remaining six kayakers who did not capsize were uncertain they could…

Sun Country To Bring Back Direct Flights From Duluth To Fort Myers

DULUTH, Minn. — Sun Country Airlines is returning to the Duluth International Airport with direct flights to Fort Myers, Florida this winter. The direct service will begin January 31 and operate on Mondays and Fridays.  Flights will depart DLH at 7 p.m. and arriving at RSW at 11:35 p.m., and departing RSW at 3:05 p.m. and arriving at DLH at…

Longtime Meteorologist Karl Spring Rejoins FOX 21 Weather Team

DULUTH, Minn. — Longtime meteorologist Karl Spring is re-joining the FOX 21’s weather team later this month. He’ll be filling in as needed for all newscasts. Karl Spring Karl is a native Minnesotan and a life-long Twins and Vikings fan. Besides his time forecasting for years in the Twin Ports, including at FOX 21 in 2008-2009, he has also worked…

Worsening Floods and Deterioration Pose Threats to US Dam Safety

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Early last week, floodwater in rural Minnesota pushed debris against a more than century-old dam and then carved a path around it, eroding so much of the riverbank that most of a house fell into the river. Several days later, intense rain damaged a dam that holds drinking water for Houston, forcing officials to issue a potential…

Cook Community Leans On Each Other As Swollen River Takes Over Downtown

Gov. Walz will visit Cook and Biwabik on Thursday to survey the flood damage.

COOK, Minn. – The small, close-knit city of Cook is dealing with a big problem.  The swollen Littlefork River has sent feet of water into the low-lying downtown. Homes and businesses are surrounded by water.  Some basements have feet of water, according to locals. There was a slight sign of relief Thursday because forecasters believe the river has hit its…

Biwabik and Giant’s Ridge Area Feel Storm’s Wrath

Police watch area and lawmaker says damages in "tens of millions" of dollars

Some areas of the Northland had stalled cars, washed out roads and flooded basements. It other places, the earth literally opened up. That was the case along a portion of the Mesabi Bike Trail near Biwabik, with a gaping cave-in between Giants Ridge and Highway 135. Tuesday night emergency crews were called into the rainy darkness to deal with a…

Flood Aftermath in the Iron Range

The Iron Range was hit with heavy rainfall Tuesday, resulting in many basements and roadways being flooded.

HIBBING, Minn. — One day after a large storm brought severe rainfall to the Iron Range, parts of Hibbing are left with multiple roadways still flooded over. There were also many reports of basements flooded in Hibbing and surrounding areas. “The little bit in the basement just kind of got it wet, we had to move and basically clean it…

Latest on Road Closures and Rainfall Totals Following Severe Weather

NORTHLAND – Severe storms brought plenty of disasters in northern Minnesota Tuesday night. The National Weather Service reports 1.5 to more than 7 inches of rain have fallen within just a few hours. Tornadic wind speeds brought reports of a waterspout spotted outside of Tofte at 5:19 p.m., a confirmed tornado outside of Cotton, and funnel clouds spotted over Moose…

FOX 21 Local News At 9: Tuesday’s Severe Weather Coverage

NORTHLAND — Video from viewers from around the Northland shows manholes unable to hold all the rain water in Bovey. The streets were comparable to small riverways. A similar story comes out of McKinley, as the heavy rainfall sends water down the streets and around homes. Video from viewers in Hibbing shows parking lots flooded. With vehicle owners moving cars…

Grandma’s Marathon Officials Monitoring Weather Threats

DULUTH, Minn. — With Grandmas Marathon taking place this weekend, organizers are keeping a close eye on potential weather threats. Race staff have been working with the National Weather Service to monitor rain events and patterns for the race weekend are showing rain with potential thunderstorms. Organizers say the race is currently as planned but they will continue to watch…

NWS Confirms Several Tornadoes In Carlton, Aitkin, Crow Wing Counties

UPDATE 7 P.M. JUNE 13:  The National Weather Service office in Duluth has confirmed some of the damage from severe storms passing through parts of the Northland Wednesday was due to several tornadoes. As of Thursday evening, they determined a tornado traveled about five miles near Wright in Carlton County around 7 p.m.  It has been given an EF-0 rating, meaning…

Crow Wing County Reports Significant Storm Damage

We are getting new images of significant damage in Crow Wing County from Wednesday’s severe storms. The Sheriff’s Office posted photos late Wednesday showing a camper flipped over, trees down, and pieces of debris, like a 2X4 through a home’s roof. The pictures were taken off Highway 6 just north of Crosby. This is the same area where storm chasers…

Duluth’s Jesus Is Life Ministries Brings Aid Following Midwest Tornadoes

Two vans packed up earlier this week with supplies, leaving Duluth for Iowa

DULUTH, Minn. — A church in West Duluth continues its tradition of helping people at disaster sites across the country. This last week the Jesus is Life Ministries church from West Duluth decided to head to Minden, Iowa a small city in the southwestern part of that state. The decision to help this small town was largely made because tornadoes…

Wildfire Experts Sound The Alarm For A Potentially Active Season

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Minn. –You wouldn’t think with the recent snowstorm we experienced that there would be a need to talk about Wildfire dangers. Woody Unruh, a meteorologist with the Duluth National Weather Service said, “New snowfall from last week’s major winter storm ranged from around 10 to 20 inches with around half an inch to one and a half…

8 A.M. Tuesday Winter Storm Update From City Of Duluth

  DULUTH, MN–The following is the latest storm update from the offices of the City of Duluth: Due to continued inclement weather conditions, Duluth Workforce Center/CareerForce will be closed to the public today, with staff working remotely. All other City of Duluth facilities are open to the public today with some staff working remotely. The National Weather Service in Duluth…

Some Have to Work on Snow Days

DULUTH, Minn. — Isaac Kasper oversees maintenance operations on UMD’s campus. He was up at 6 a.m. Monday morning. Just last week, he and his team were preparing for Spring. Now they’re back to shoveling snow. “We were cleaning up planting beds, mulching, picking up brush and leaves and doing spring type work last week. Putting seed and soil down…

6:45 P.M. Winter Storm Update From City Of Duluth

6:45 P.M. Update: Due to snow conditions, some City of Duluth facilities will be closed to the public tomorrow, March 25, 2024.  Duluth Workforce Development Center will be closed tomorrow, with staff working remotely during the storm Monday. All Duluth Public Library facilities will be closed tomorrow. Duluth City Hall, however, will be open to the public, but with some…

Snow-Making Machines Save 50th American Birkebeiner, But With Changes

CABLE, Wis. – Officials with the 50th Annual American Birkebeiner announced Monday evening that the races will go on next week in one form or another. The Birkie won’t be taking its traditional path from Cable to Hayward and will instead take place on a 10 kilometer loop in Cable. Races that go beyond 10 kilometers will do loops. Organizers…

First-Ever February Tornado Forms In Wisconsin

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The first-ever tornado in February was spotted Thursday just south of Madison, the National Weather Service confirmed. It was the first tornado ever for the state of Wisconsin during the month since records have been kept, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported. Rock County officials, in the area where the tornado was reported, received reports of about…

Wildfire Fighters Wanted: Minnesota DNR

Agency is gearing up for the coming season.

Even with the mild winter, concern over grass and forest fires might seem a ways off. But that is not delaying the Minnesota DNR in looking for additional wildfire fighters. The agency says it is looking to fill two different kinds of positions. One is Smokechasers. No experience is needed and those hired would be trained. The schedules are flexible,…

50th Annual Birkebeiner To Ski Forward Despite Lack Of Snow

Officials may be forced to scale back, but they say Birkie week will not be canceled

HAYWARD, Wis. – The 2024 American Birkebeiner is expected to attract 14,000 to as many as 15,000 skiers for the race’s 50th anniversary.  Organizers say, the lack of snow isn’t going to ruin the fun. “It’s non-negotiable. We will be doing something in Hayward during Birkie week,” said Blair Flickinger, marketing director for the race. “I would say we are…

Lack Of Snow Cancels 2024 John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon

A big announcement was made Tuesday night involving the 40th annual John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon. Officials told FOX 21 the race will not go on as planned because of a serious lack of snow. The Beargrease board members voted on the decision late Tuesday to put on the 40th annual Beargrease on Jan. 26, 2025. The Beargrease was originally…

Is The Ice Safe? Better Check First

Those venturing out are urged to be careful because many have gone through the ice already.

The cautionary tone about being careful on lake and river ice was echoed this week as outdoor enthusiasts get antsy. At Duluth’s Marine General, this month they had customers torn between both ice and open-water fishing. Some anglers were rigging up their boats and heading out on the lake. But with the weather now turning back to a little bit…

Snowblowers Went Out The Door Early; Now Waiting For Snow

Last winter primed people to get new machines.

While no snow and a lot of rain may have driven people inside to do things like check out Duluth’s trains and railroad museum, there are also those who think winter is going to come–eventually. There were still plenty of snowblowers lined up at Northern Tool and Equipment in Hermantown on Thursday. Store manager Mike Surface said it’s been quiet…

Cohasset Man Fell Through Ice on Bass Lake

  COHASSET, Minn. — A Cohasset Man wants to remind people to check the ice more frequently after he went under on Friday. Through a phone call, John Anderson described that he was following another driver’s four wheeler’s tracks on Bass Lake, just north of Cohasset. Near the Narrows, the ice underneath Anderson gave out, causing himself, his ice house,…

Golf Season Extended, For Now

DULUTH, Minn. — What a glorious sun-filled day with the high temperature reaching the low 50s in Duluth. For many people that could mean only one thing – it was time to play golf again! Grand View Golf Link in Duluth heard that cry and has re-opened the course. With high temperatures later this week expected to reach the mid…

Unseasonable Heat Cancels Twin Cities Marathon

Courtesy: Twin Cities In Motion MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A forecast that record high temperatures and humidity would create “extreme and dangerous” conditions prompted organizers to cancel two long-distance races Sunday in Minnesota’s two largest cities that were expected to draw up to 20,000 runners. The Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon from Minneapolis to neighboring St. Paul had been expected to draw…

Hail is Not a Huge Concern for the Growing Solar Industry in the Northland

DULUTH, Minn. — In recent years, solar panels have increased in popularity as an alternative energy source for homes, businesses and power companies here in the Northland.  However, as we try to capture energy that is produced in nature, the weather itself can cause the greatest setbacks. This past summer, there were reports across the country of solar panels being…

Grandma’s Miller Hill Restaurant Mops Up After Weekend Flooding

DULUTH, Minn. – The staff at Grandma’s Restaurant up by the Miller Hill Mall spent the day mopping up Monday after flood waters moved inside Sunday. Water surrounds the restaurant along Mall Drive Sunday. Tony Boen, the restaurant’s director of operations, said the staff started getting chairs and other items off the floor Sunday morning when they saw the water…

Video: Flash Flooding In Duluth Creates Muddy Mess Downtown

DULUTH, Minn. – Flash flooding Monday night in parts of Duluth sent piles of sand, dirt and other materials from nearby construction onto East Superior Street. Tuesday morning compared to Tuesday evening at First Avenue E. and Superior Street The National Weather Service said 2 to 6 inches of rain fell fast on parts of Duluth. All that water sent…

Bass Lake Residents Clean Up After Wind Topples 200-Plus Trees

BASS LAKE, Minn. — Wild weather Tuesday evening on the Iron Range created damaging winds that hit the Gilbert, Aurora and Hoyt Lakes region. Courtesy: Alicia Schroeder Powerlines came down, along with hundreds of trees, especially on Bass Lake – just southeast of Gilbert. The National Weather Service does not believe a tornado caused the damage.  They believe it was…