How Far Below Normal Are We On Snow In The Duluth Area This Winter?

While it has been colder than last winter, there hasn't been a lot of snow so far in Northern Minnesota during the winter of 2024-2025.

After last year, when Duluth saw one of the 15 least snowy winters ever, lovers of winter activities were hoping for a rebound. Now, the good news is that the ground isn't bare.

There is certainly snow on the ground across the region, but the question is how it compares to where we should be for this time of year on average.

In the US Forest Service's latest snow depth map, you can see nearly all of Minnesota has at least some snow on the ground. The difference, though, from most winters is that is isn't a lot. A vast majority of Minnesota has under 10 inches of snow on the ground, with places in Southern Minnesota having barely any snow at all.

Northern Minnesota, and more specifically Northeastern Minnesota has the greatest amount of snow on the ground. The light purple color is a representation of somewhere between 9.8 and 20 inches of snow.

Now, it is worth noting that the current snow depth and the total amount of snow we've gotten during the season are two different things. Snow settles, it melts, and snowpack will usually be less than the total snowfall over a season. But the less snow you get, the smaller your snowpack will be, obviously.

How does this winter's snow total so far compare to a normal winter?

In Duluth, areas near Lake Superior have lower amounts than on top of the hill, which isn't uncommon. But how uncommon is the amount of snow we have on the ground right now compared to normal?

During an average winter, we should have seen 58.9 inches of snow fall by the middle of February. That's over halfway toward the roughly 90 inches of snow Duluth sees during an average winter season.

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This winter, we have seen 34.1 inches of snow fall as of the end of the day on February 13. That's about half (57.9%) of the snow we should have received by now.

Are we on the path to one of the least snowy winters ever?

In short, probably not.

If we didn't get any more snow for the rest of the winter, we'd be in the top 10 least snowy winters for Duluth's recorded weather history, but it's not done snowing yet for the season.

With two weeks of February, all of March, and even April being months that it often tends to snow, we're not too likely to be in top-10 territory.

READ MORE: What is Minnesota's snowiest month? Surprise! It isn't March

What were Duluth's least snowy winters ever recorded? Well, I just so happen to have those laid out for you right here! It all includes last winter, which barely missed being in the top 10.