By Laura Durenberger-Grunow - Boreal Community Media - February 16, 2026

***The Winter Storm Watch has been upgraded to a Blizzard Warning for southern Cook County and a Winter Storm Warning for northern Cook County. See the latest update here.***

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A powerful winter weather system is forecasted to impact the Northland mid-week, bringing heavy snow and strong winds to Cook County and the Grand Portage area. According to the National Weather Service (NWS), this system will likely cause hazardous travel across much of the region from Tuesday night through Thursday morning. A Winter Storm Watch has been issued from 6 p.m. on Tuesday through Thursday at 12 p.m. for possible blizzard conditions due to strong winds and snow accumulations of 12+ inches. 

Mixed precipitation is expected to begin on Tuesday afternoon, with the heaviest rates occurring late Tuesday night through Wednesday morning. A small portion of Grand Marais has a 90% probability of exceeding 8 inches of snow, especially closer to the shore. The National Weather Service predicts that portions of the North Shore are likely to receive over a foot of snow. The forecasted snow amounts decrease towards the U.S. and Canadian border. 

 Image: NWS

Wind will also be a significant factor, with the NWS forecasting that "strong and gusty winds [are] expected Tuesday afternoon through Wednesday afternoon." Peak gusts are projected to reach 45-55 mph across the area, potentially reducing visibility to less than a quarter mile.

The NWS states that initial heavy, wet snow may clump onto power lines, causing outages. Officials advise residents to "shovel smart" by taking frequent breaks to avoid physical strain. While the primary system is expected to exit on Thursday, light snow may linger into Friday.

Boreal Community Media will continue to provide updates on weather forecasts and any weather-related delays or closures as additional information becomes available. If you have a weather-related closing or delay, please send it to [email protected] to be added to the list.