How Strong Has The Wind Been in Minnesota? Here Are The Impressive Peak Wind Gusts So Far

A powerful, messy winter storm continues to make its presence known around Minnesota and Wisconsin, with the worst of it hitting Minnesota's North Shore, from the Duluth area all the way up to the Canadian Border.

Heavy snow, powerful winds, and blizzard conditions are expected to continue, with a blizzard warning in effect for Carlton County, South St. Louis County, and the North Shore until noon on Thursday.

As the storm moved into the region late Tuesday, things really ramped up quickly. Thundersnow was witnessed in Duluth, Superior, and elsewhere around the Northland as heavy snow and strong wind gusts battered the region Tuesday night and into the early hours of Wednesday.

While we're far from out of the woods, the worst of the storm is expected to have passed by midday Wednesday for much of the region. Continued windy and snowy conditions will taper off by midday Thursday, with residual snow and breezy weather through Friday possible.

READ MORE: See Photos Timeline Of Ice Damage From Powerful Winds At Apostle Islands Ice Caves on Lake Superior

As we wrap up the worst of this Northland blizzard, just how windy has it been? Here's a look at the peak wind gusts reported around Northern Minnesota and Northern Wisconsin as of 11 am Wednesday morning.

Peak wind gusts in Northern Minnesota & Northern Wisconsin February 17 - 18, 2026

The strongest wind gust in the Northland was nearly 70 mph! In case you were curious, Category 1 hurricane wind speeds start at 74 mph. It's a little different type of situation, but it gives you an idea of just how strong these winds are.

Blatnik Bridge (Duluth/Superior): 69 mph

Duluth International Airport: 67 mph

Atkinson, MN: 66 mph

Hermantown, MN: 64 mph

Duluth Sky Harbor Airport (Park Point): 62 mph

Thompson Hill - Duluth: 62 mph

Grand Marais, MN (on the bay): 58 mph

Schroeder, MN: 58 mph

Duluth Harbor: 57 mph

Baudette, MN: 56 mph

Lengby, MN: 54 mph

Chisholm-Hibbing Airport: 53 mph

Two Harbors Airport: 53 mph

Marcell, MN: 53 mph

Grand Portage, MN: 52 mph

Cotton, MN: 52 mph

Duluth, MN - Lincoln Elementary School: 51 mph

Twig, MN: 49 mph

Virginia, MN: 48 mph

Tamarack, MN: 47 mph

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International Falls, MN: 45 mph

Cook, MN: 45 mph

Cohasset, MN: 43 mph

Bayfield, WI: 41 mph

Moose Lake, MN: 40 mph

Cloquet, MN: 40 mph

Brainerd, MN: 40 mph

Ely, MN: 37 mph

Bemidji, MN: 37 mph

Madeline Island, WI: 36 mph

Ashland, WI: 36 mph

Solon Springs, WI: 26 mph