If you’ve lived near the tip of Lake Superior for more than a week, you know the "official" forecast is basically a polite suggestion. People in the Twin Ports often joke that we experience all four seasons in a single Tuesday, but honestly, the Superior Wisconsin weather forecast right now is settling into that deep, rhythmic winter grind that separates the locals from the tourists.
Right now, as of Friday night, January 16, 2026, it’s about 11°F outside. But that number is a total lie. Because of the northwest wind cutting in at 8 mph, it actually feels like -2°F.
Welcome to January in Superior.
Why the "Lake Effect" is a Local Legend
Most folks think Lake Superior just makes things colder. It’s actually way more complicated than that. In the dead of winter, the lake acts like a giant, liquid battery. It stays warmer than the frozen land for a long time, which creates this weird microclimate. You'll be driving through a light dusting in Duluth, cross the Blatnik Bridge, and suddenly you're in a whiteout because the lake decided to dump a localized "gift" on the city of Superior.
Today, we saw a high of 30°F, which felt like a tropical vacation compared to what’s coming. But the temperature is currently cratering.
The National Weather Service has a Winter Storm Warning in effect until 6:00 PM tomorrow. This isn't just a "pretty snow" situation. We're looking at blustery conditions and shifting winds that make visibility a nightmare on Tower Avenue.
The Numbers You Actually Need to Know
Tonight, expect those light snow showers to stick around. We’ve got an 88% humidity level right now, which means that cold air is going to feel "wet" and bite right through your wool layers.
- Tonight: Low of 11°F with a 20% chance of ongoing snow.
- Saturday (Jan 17): The high struggles to reach 14°F. Winds will be coming from the northwest at 13 mph, keeping that "feels like" temp deep in the negatives.
- Sunday (Jan 18): It gets real. High of 10°F during the day, but the overnight low is expected to hit -10°F.
Basically, if you haven't checked your antifreeze yet, you're playing a dangerous game.
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The Polar Vortex and "Arctic Revenge"
There's been a lot of talk among local meteorologists about "Arctic Revenge." After that weirdly mild stretch we had earlier in the month, the polar vortex is wobbling. This isn't just a cold snap; it’s a systematic shift. By Monday, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the high is projected to be -2°F.
Yeah, you read that right. A high of two below zero.
The northwest winds are the real villain here. They don't just bring the cold; they bring the "Superior Shiver." When the wind hits 15 mph on a day that's already sub-zero, you're looking at frostbite times measured in minutes, not hours.
What Most People Get Wrong About January Weather
People see "sunny" on the forecast and think it's a good day to head out to Pattison State Park. In Superior, a clear blue sky in January is usually a warning sign. It means there’s no cloud cover to trap the Earth’s heat. The sunniest days are almost always the ones where your car battery decides to give up on life.
Take Saturday, January 24th, for example. The forecast says "sunny," but the low is -20°F. That's "don't let the dog out for more than thirty seconds" cold.
Survival Tips for the Upcoming Week
If you're new here, or just need a refresher because the cold has frozen your brain cells, here’s the reality of the next few days.
Stop trusting the "High" temperature. Always look at the "Feels Like" or wind chill index. If the wind is coming from the west or northwest, the lake isn't going to save you—it's just going to provide the moisture for more blowing snow.
Actionable Steps for Superior Residents:
- Check your tires now. Cold air makes tire pressure drop. A low tire on an icy patch of Belknap is a recipe for a bad afternoon.
- Plug in the block heater. If we’re hitting -10°F on Sunday night, your older vehicle is going to struggle Monday morning.
- Watch the "Freezing Spray." For those of you heading near the docks or the entry, the marine forecast is calling for heavy freezing spray. It builds up on surfaces instantly.
- The 3-Layer Rule. Don't just wear a big coat. You need a moisture-wicking base, an insulating middle, and a wind-blocking outer shell.
Superior is a beautiful place, even when it's trying to turn us into human popsicles. The snow showers are expected to taper off by late Saturday, leaving us with a string of "partly sunny" but brutally cold days. Keep your gas tank at least half full to prevent line freeze, and maybe keep an extra blanket in the trunk.
The Superior Wisconsin weather forecast shows we're headed into the true heart of winter. It’s cold, it’s windy, and it’s exactly what we signed up for. Stay warm out there.