Rusty Mehlberg
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Rusty Mehlberg
@wxmanmehlberg.bsky.social
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Chief Meteorologist at KQDS-TV (Fox 21) covering the Northland, weather fanatic, former radio journalist, Wisconsin born and raised
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5 P.M. RADAR UPDATE:

The main batch of precipitation from our winter storm system is pushing east through the Northland.

It will become all snow over the next several hours. Tonight will see heavy snowfall rates and strong winds. Blizzard like conditions are likely at times.
The radar over the Northland at 5 p.m. on November 25, 2025, shows snow showers covering northeast Minnesota, with rain showers over the western half of northwest Wisconsin. Some of the precipitation intensity is heavy, especially in the Iron Range and I-35 Corridor regions. The precipitation is moving to the east, and will become all snow over the next several hours.
November 25, 2025 at 11:07 PM
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You step away for a few moments, and the winter weather alerts change on you.

Blizzard Warnings now extend along the entire South Shore counties. These areas will see the worst conditions Tuesday night and Wednesday morning.
An updated map of winter weather alerts across the Northland as of 2 p.m. Tuesday, November 25, 2025. A Blizzard Warning covers Ashland, Bayfield, Douglas, Gogebic, Iron, and Ontonagon counties through Wednesday night. Winter Storm Warnings now cover Aitkin, Burnett, Carlton, Cook, southern Itasca, Lake, Pine, Sawyer, central and southern St. Louis counties, and Washburn counties through Wednesday afternoon. A Winter Weather Advisory now covers northern Itasca and northern St. Louis counties through Wednesday morning.
November 25, 2025 at 8:17 PM
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The worst conditions from this storm system will be coming through Tuesday evening and overnight with heavy snowfall and strong winds.

Conditions will improve across the region from west to east Wednesday, but linger through Wednesday night along the South Shore and Upper Peninsula.
My updated snowfall map shows the highest totals of over 24 inches for the South Shore snowbelt region and the Upper Peninsula. Some spots may be nearing 36 inches by Thursday afternoon. The rest of the South Shore will see 12 to 24 inches, the Twin Ports and Arrowhead regions will see 6 to 12 inches, the interior portions of northwest Wisconsin and the I-35 corridor will see 4 to 10 inches, the Iron Range will see 3 to 6 inches, with the Rainy River Basin likely staying under 2 inches of new snowfall. The worst of the winter storm conditions will be coming across the Northland Tuesday evening and Tuesday night. A strengthening low-pressure system will provide the ingredients necessary for heavy snowfall rates over 1-inch per hour in spots. Some spots along the southern shoreline of Lake Superior may even surpass 2-inches per hour. Wind speeds will also be a big concern for this storm system over Tuesday evening through Wednesday morning. Gusts of 30 to 40+ mph are likely across the entire Northland, coming from the northeast and north. As the storm system continues to move east Wednesday, snow showers will move out of the region from west to east. They will be mostly out of the area by Wednesday evening, but lake effect snow bands will continue along the South Shore and Upper Peninsula regions through Wednesday night.
November 25, 2025 at 7:32 PM
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Happy Tuesday afternoon from the Northland!

The first major winter storm of the season is starting to impact the region.

So far, it has been a wet and breezy day with temperatures above freezing for most...
A view of the satellite and radar over the western Great Lakes region at 1:10 p.m. on November 25, 2025, shows a storm system with its center just entering southwest Minnesota. As it moves to the east/northeast, precipitation wrapped around it will become all snow over the Northland. As of now, it has been rain showers for northwest Wisconsin, the Upper Peninsula, and the I-35 corridor region. Snow showers have been falling over northeast Minnesota. The latest winter weather alerts across the Northland as of early afternoon Tuesday, November 25, 2025, include a Blizzard Warning for Gogebic and Ontonagon counties, a Winter Weather Advisory for Koochiching County, and a Winter Storm Warning for the rest of the region. These alerts run until 6 a.m. Thursday, Central Standard Time, at the latest. Temperatures in the Northland just after 1 p.m. on November 25, 2025, range from 30 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Wind speeds in the Northland just after 1 p.m. on November 25, 2025, range from 6 to 14 mph. Wind direction is primarily from the northeast and east. Wind gusts have already started to top 20 mph in the Twin Ports and South Shore regions.
November 25, 2025 at 7:25 PM
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NORTHLAND FORECAST FOR NOVEMBER 25, 2025:

DISCUSSION: www.fox21online.com/weather/
Clouds will increase across the Northland Monday night as a storm system approaches the region. Any showers will hold off until around sunrise. Winds will be light as temperatures hold steady in the 30s for lows. A storm system will bring a mix of rain and snow showers into the Northland Tuesday morning. As temperatures cool from the 30s and low 40s for highs early in the day to below freezing, all precipitation will change over to snow shower by the evening. Winds will also become strong with gusts over 30 mph likely off Lake Superior.
November 25, 2025 at 12:16 AM
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LATEST ON UPCOMING WINTER STORM SYSTEM:

The Northland remains on track to seeing its first widespread winter weather event of the season Tuesday and Wednesday.

The worst conditions will be passing through Tuesday evening & overnight. The most snowfall will be along the South Shore.
These are the winter weather alerts in effect for Tuesday, November 25, 2025, and Wednesday, November 26, 2025, as of 4:30 p.m. Monday. A Winter Storm Warning is in effect for Aitkin, Ashland, Bayfield, Carlton, Cook, Douglas, Iron, Itasca, Lake, Pine, and St. Louis counties. A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect for Burnett, Koochiching, Sawyer, and Washburn counties. Gogebic and Ontonagon counties will likely be upgraded from a Winter Storm Watch to a Winter Storm Warning at some point before Tuesday afternoon. When all the snow has fallen over the next three days, the highest snowfall totals will be along the South Shore snowbelt and Upper Peninsula regions with 18+ inches likely. The rest of the South Shore, particularly the Bayfield Peninsula, will see 12 to 18 inches. The Arrowhead, Twin Ports, and parts of northwest Wisconsin next to the South Shore will see 6 to 12 inches, with points next to Lake Superior seeing the lower end of these forecast totals. The Iron Range, I-35 Corridor, and southern portions of northwest Wisconsin will see 4 to 8 inches, with the Rainy River Basin seeing 1 to 3 inches of snowfall. What will begin as a mix of rain and snow showers Tuesday morning across the Northland will change over to all snow by Tuesday evening as temperatures cool from the 30s to the 20s. The worst of the winter conditions for the Northland will be Tuesday evening and overnight. This is when winds will be strong coming off Lake Superior and snowfall rates will be at their highest intensity. Some spots could see over 1" of snowfall per hour. Wind speeds will be increasing coming off Lake Superior from the east Tuesday morning, then shifting to the northeast by Tuesday evening. Gusts over 30 mph are likely from the north Tuesday night and Wednesday morning. They will be slowly decreasing in strength Wednesday afternoon and Wednesday night as snow showers move out of the region from west to east. These wind directions will allow lake effect snow showers to form along the South Shore, which will persist through Wednesday and Thursday morning in spots.
November 24, 2025 at 11:03 PM
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Happy Monday afternoon from the Northland!

It is another very warm late fall day for the region, thanks to plenty of sunshine and light winds.

Get out and enjoy it while you can. Winter weather returns and settles in starting Tuesday.
The satellite and radar over the Northland at 1:30 p.m. on November 24, 2025, shows mostly clear skies across the region with no precipitation in the area. Some clouds are moving into the southern half of the region, with the thickest in Burnett, Sawyer, and Washburn counties. Temperatures in the Northland just after 1 p.m. on November 24, 2025, range from 45 to 54 degrees Fahrenheit. These readings are 10 to 20 degrees above average for this time of the calendar year. When compared to 24 hours earlier, temperature readings in the Northland around 1:30 p.m. on November 24, 2025 are warmer, ranging from 2 to 14 degrees Fahrenheit. Wind speeds in the Northland just after 1 p.m. on November 24, 2025, range from calm to 8 mph. Wind direction is primarily from the south.
November 24, 2025 at 7:39 PM
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NORTHLAND FORECAST FOR NOVEMBER 24, 2025:

DISCUSSION: www.fox21online.com/weather/
A high-pressure system will keep the skies partly cloudy over the Northland Sunday night. Winds will be a bit breezy, helping to keep low temperatures in the 30s. Monday will see some sunshine in the Northland at times, but clouds will be slowly increasing as a storm system from the west approaches the region. Despite winds becoming light, temperatures will warm back to the 40s and low 50s for highs.
November 24, 2025 at 1:14 AM
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WHO'S READY FOR SNOW?

The Northland will see its first widespread winter storm of the season Tuesday and Wednesday.

What begins as a mix of rain and snow showers will become all snow as temperatures cool and winds become quite breezy from the north.
As the storm system pushes into the Northland Tuesday morning, the area will see a mix of shower types. Northwest Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula will see mostly rain showers, with northeast Minnesota seeing mainly snow showers. As temperatures cool and winds increasing in strength from the northeast and north, the precipitation type will change to all snow by Tuesday evening. Snow showers will then persist throughout the region Tuesday night and Wednesday. Lake effect snow showers along the South Shore will continue through Wednesday night and Thursday. My initial snowfall forecast for the Northland for this upcoming storm system has the South Shore snowbelt region seeing the highest totals at 8 to 12+ inches. The rest of the South Shore, Twin Ports, and Arrowhead regions will see 4 to 8 inches, with 2 to 4 inches likely in the Iron Range and Rainy River Basin regions. The interior portion of northwest Wisconsin will have the greatest chance for uncertain snowfall totals, due to how long precipitation stays as rain Tuesday. If it rains through Tuesday evening, they will see 2 to 3 inches of snowfall by Thanksgiving. If it changes to snow by Tuesday afternoon, they will see 4 to 6 inches. A Winter Storm Watch is in effect for Tuesday, November 25, 2025, and Wednesday, November 26, 2025, for Aitkin, Ashland, Bayfield, Carlton, Cook, Douglas, Iron, Itasca, Lake, Koochiching, and St. Louis counties. This area will see snowfall totals ranging from a couple inches in the Iron Range and Rainy River Basin to over 12 inches along the South Shore snowbelt region east of Ashland.
November 23, 2025 at 11:00 PM
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Happy Sunday afternoon from the Northland!

For most of us, it is another seasonally mild late fall day with plenty of clouds and light winds.

I would enjoy these relatively calm conditions. It will be getting more active this week...
The satellite and radar over the Northland at 1:45 p.m. on November 23, 2025, shows a few breaks in the cloud cover in the Arrowhead, Upper Peninsula, I-35 Corridor, and Rainy River Basin regions. The rest of the region is under cloud cover with no precipitation across the area. Temperatures in the Northland just after 1:30 p.m. on November 23, 2025, range from 37 to 52 degrees Fahrenheit. The warmest temperatures are in the I-35 Corridor region. When compared to 24 hours earlier, temperatures in the Northland at 1:30 p.m. on November 23, 2025, are mostly cooler. They range from 7 degrees warmer to 8 degrees cooler. Temperature readings are measured in degrees Fahrenheit. Wind speeds in the Northland just after 1:30 p.m. on November 23, 2025, range from calm to 9 mph. Wind direction is primarily from the south and southwest.
November 23, 2025 at 7:53 PM
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NORTHLAND FORECAST FOR NOVEMBER 21, 2025:

DISCUSSION: www.fox21online.com/weather/
A storm system will move out of the Northland Thursday night, pushing out the last of the showers. Winds will remain breezy, so despite the clearing skies, low temperatures will remain in the 20s. A high-pressure system will help to bring plenty of sunshine to the Northland Friday as winds slowly calm throughout the day. High temperatures will remain near seasonal for late fall in the 30s and low 40s.
November 20, 2025 at 10:40 PM
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Happy Thursday afternoon from the Northland!

It is a cloudy and at times damp day for the region, but a cold front is passing through.

This will help clear away the clouds and showers, but a west wind will start to cool us down.
The satellite and radar over the Northland at 1:25 p.m. on November 20, 2025, shows a line of lights showers exiting the Twin Ports region and ready to come on shore along the western half of the South Shore region. It is moving to the southeast and showing signs of some weakening. The rest of the area is cloudy, but some clearing skies are starting to enter Koochiching County. Temperatures in the Northland just after 1 p.m. on November 20, 2025, range from 35 to 44 degrees Fahrenheit. The 30s are in Minnesota, with 40s in Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula. The temperatures in the Northland at 1 p.m. on November 20, 2025, are warmer than Wednesday at this same time. They range from even to 8 degrees warmer Fahrenheit. Wind speeds in the Northland just after 1 p.m. on November 20, 2025 range from 6 to 15 mph. Wind direction is primarily from the west and northwest.
November 20, 2025 at 7:34 PM
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8 P.M. RADAR UPDATE:

The showers across the Northland are becoming more widely scattered late this evening.

The heaviest rainfall, with a few snowflakes mixed in, is in the Arrowhead region.
The radar over the Northland at 8 p.m. on November 19, 2025, shows widely scattered showers across the region. The heaviest and highest concentration for showers are in the Arrowhead region, with scattered showers over the Upper Peninsula. The showers are moving from west to east.
November 20, 2025 at 2:07 AM
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NORTHLAND FORECAST FOR NOVEMBER 20, 2025:

DISCUSSION: www.fox21online.com/weather/
A storm system will bring scattered light showers through the Northland Wednesday night. Most of it will fall as rain, but some snowflakes could mix in at times north of Highway 2. Winds remain light, allowing some fog to form in spots. Temperatures hold steady in the 30s. After showers move through the Northland Thursday morning, the rest of the day will see clearing skies as a west breeze picks up. High temperatures will warm to the upper 30s and lower half of the 40s.
November 20, 2025 at 12:15 AM
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4 P.M. RADAR UPDATE:

The showers passing through the Northland continue to focus on locations north of Highway 2.

Most of it is rain, but some snowflakes could be mixing in at times in the Arrowhead region.
The radar over the Northland at 4 p.m. on November 19, 2025, shows scattered rain showers moving through the northern half of the region, with just a few radar returns popping up along and south of Highway 2 along the South Shore region. Some snowflakes may be mixing in with the rain in the Arrowhead region. The precipitation is moving to the east/northeast.
November 19, 2025 at 10:04 PM
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Happy Wednesday afternoon from the Northland!

We finally have some precipitation passing through the region today. Most of it is rain, but some snowflakes are possible in the Arrowhead and Boundary Waters regions.

Otherwise, it is a cloudy and cool day with a bit of breeze.
The satellite and radar over the Northland at 1:30 p.m. on November 19, 2025, shows a scattering of showers over northeast Minnesota, with most of them north of Highway 2. The rest of the region is under cloudy skies, with precipitation moving from west to east, with a slight northeast tilt. Most of it is rain showers, but some snowflakes are possible in the Boundary Waters and Arrowhead regions. Temperatures in the Northland just after 1 p.m. on November 19, 2025, range from 32 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit. When compared to 24 hours earlier, temperatures in the Northland as of 1:30 p.m. on November 19, 2025, are cooler. They range from no change to 9 degrees Fahrenheit. Wind speeds in the Northland just after 1 p.m. on November 19, 2025, range from 3 to 14 mph. Wind direction is primarily from the southwest and south.
November 19, 2025 at 7:41 PM
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NORTHLAND FORECAST FOR NOVEMBER 19, 2025:

DISCUSSION: www.fox21online.com/weather/
An approaching storm system will bring an increase in cloud cover across the Northland Tuesday night. This will help keep low temperatures more mild compared to recent nights in the 20s. Winds remain light. A storm system passing north of the Northland will bring scattered light rain showers through the region Wednesday from west to east. Winds become a bit breezy with high temperatures remaining seasonal in the upper 30s and low 40s.
November 18, 2025 at 11:20 PM
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Happy Tuesday afternoon from the Northland!

It's another sunny, seasonal, and calm day for the region thanks to a high-pressure system above us.

We will see a slight pattern change the next few days with shower chances.
The satellite and radar over the Northland at 2:30 p.m. on November 18, 2025, shows clear skies for nearly all locations. A few high level clouds are starting to move into Koochiching County from the west. Temperatures in the Northland just after 2 p.m. on November 18, 2025, range from 36 to 46 degrees Fahrenheit. When compared to 2:30 p.m. on November 17, 2025, temperatures in the Northland are slightly warmer than 24 hours ago, ranging from 2 to 6 degrees Fahrenheit. Wind speeds in the Northland just after 2 p.m. on November 18, 2025, range from calm to 8 mph. Wind direction is primarily from the east and southeast.
November 18, 2025 at 8:38 PM
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NORTHLAND FORECAST FOR NOVEMBER 18, 2025:

DISCUSSION: www.fox21online.com/weather/
Some clouds from a storm system passing south of the Northland will push into the southern half of the region Monday night. Otherwise, it will be mostly clear skies and very light winds will low temperatures in the teens and low 20s. A high-pressure system will keep the Northland dry Tuesday with mostly sunny skies and a light east wind. Temperatures remain seasonal for late fall with highs in the upper half of the 30s and lower half of the 40s.
November 17, 2025 at 11:21 PM
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Happy Monday afternoon from the Northland!

It is another sunny day for the region, but clouds are slowly increasing from the south. It will remain dry.

Temperatures are where they should be for mid-November, with light winds helping to keep the chill away.
The satellite and radar over the Northland at 1:30 p.m. on November 17, 2025, shows a few clouds moving into the southern portions of the I-35 corridor. The rest of the region has clear to mostly clear skies with no precipitation being observed. Temperatures in the Northland just after 1 p.m. on November 17, 2025, range from 34 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit. When compared to 1:30 p.m. on November 16, 2025, temperatures in the Northland are just a bit cooler than 24 hours earlier, ranging from 1-degrees warmer to 6-degrees cooler. The thermometer readings are in Fahrenheit. Wind speeds in the Northland just after 1 p.m. on November 17, 2025, range from calm to 12 mph. Wind direction is primarily from the north and northwest.
November 17, 2025 at 7:41 PM
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NORTHLAND FORECAST FOR NOVEMBER 17, 2025:

DISCUSSION: www.fox21online.com/weather/
A high-pressure system will keep the Northland clear of cloud cover Sunday night as winds decrease and become light. Low temperatures will be seasonal in the upper teens and low 20s. The Northland will remain basically sunny Monday, with a few clouds starting to move into the region especially the farther south you live. Winds will be very light with high temperatures in the seasonal range for mid-November in the 30s and low 40s.
November 17, 2025 at 12:45 AM
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Happy Sunday afternoon from the Northland!

If you don't mind the wind, you shouldn't have any problems with the weather this past weekend.

It is cooling back to late fall seasonal temperatures.

Overall, nothing to really complain about.
The satellite and radar over the Northland at 2:30 p.m. on November 16, 2025, shows clear skies and no precipitation across the region. Temperatures in the Northland just after 2 p.m. on November 16, 2025, range from 34 to 43 degrees Fahrenheit. Compared to 2:30 p.m. on November 16, 2025, temperatures in the Northland are cooler than what they were 24 hours ago, ranging from 3 to 12 degrees Fahrenheit. Wind speeds in the Northland just after 2 p.m. on November 16, 2025, range from 5 to 16 mph. Wind direction is primarily from the northwest and west.
November 16, 2025 at 8:34 PM
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NORTHLAND FORECAST FOR NOVEMBER 14, 2025:

DISCUSSION: www.fox21online.com/weather/
The Northland will remain mostly clear of cloud cover for Thursday night, making the Northern Lights possible to see near the northern horizon. Winds remain light with low temperatures in the 20s and low 30s. An approaching storm system will increase cloud cover across the Northland Friday, but we remain dry during the daytime hours. Winds will become a bit breezy from the south, helping to warm temperatures to the 50s and low 60s. That will be nearing record highs for November 14.
November 13, 2025 at 11:18 PM
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Happy Thursday afternoon from the Northland!

It remains warm for November in the region, and the lighter winds and sunny skies are helping to keep it that way.

No big changes in these conditions through Friday.
The satellite and radar over the Northland at 1:30 p.m. on November 13, 2025, shows some light cloud cover passing through parts of the region. Overall, it is a sunny and dry day for the area. Temperatures in the Northland just after 1 p.m. on November 13, 2025, range from 46 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit. When compared to 1 p.m. on November 12, 2025, temperatures in the Northland are warmer than this time 24 hours ago. That ranged from 3 to 9 degrees Fahrenheit. Wind speeds in the Northland just after 1 p.m. on November 13, 2025, range from calm to 13 mph. Wind direction is primarily from the south, southwest, and west.
November 13, 2025 at 7:40 PM
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Not the best look due to the other lights, but the Northern Lights are out again across the Northland!

At least I can see them at the station through my phone camera's night vision setting.

It is best to be away from artificial lights to see them with the naked eye.
A view of the Northern Lights just after 8:30 p.m. on November 12, 2025 outside the Fox 21 station building in Duluth, Minnesota. It is not the best view, but the green and purples are visible using the night vision setting on my phone camera.
November 13, 2025 at 2:39 AM