Editing Duluth, Minnesota (section)

==Geography==
{{see also|Neighborhoods of Duluth, Minnesota}}
{{multiple image
| total_width = 450
| image1      = Minnesota Point from Incline Railway, Duluth, Minn (NYPL b12647398-67838).tiff
| caption1    = [[Minnesota Point]] (or Park Point) from Incline Railway, 1907
| image2      = Duluth-Minnesota-Superior.jpg
| caption2    = Minnesota Point in 2006
}}

According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|80.168|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, of which {{convert|71.658|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is land and {{convert|8.510|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is water.<ref name="CenPopGazetteer2024"/> It is Minnesota's second-largest city by land area, surpassed only by [[Hibbing, Minnesota|Hibbing]]. Duluth's canal connects Lake Superior to the Duluth–Superior harbor and the [[Saint Louis River (Lake Superior tributary)|Saint Louis River]]. It is spanned by the Aerial Lift Bridge, which connects [[Canal Park (Duluth)|Canal Park]] with [[Minnesota Point]] (or "Park Point").<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.duluthmn.gov/parks/parkpointtrail.cfm|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130809093012/http://www.duluthmn.gov/parks/parkpointtrail.cfm|url-status=dead|title=Park Point Trail<!-- Bot generated title -->|archive-date=August 9, 2013|access-date=August 8, 2024}}</ref> Minnesota Point is about {{convert|7|mi|km}} long and, when included with adjacent [[Wisconsin Point]], which extends {{convert|3|mi|km}} from the city of [[Superior, Wisconsin|Superior]], [[Wisconsin]], is the largest freshwater [[baymouth bar]] in the world at a total of {{convert|10|mi|km}}.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bemidji State University |title=A basic review of MN Geology page A review of Geologic Time in MN Basic Geologic History in MN |url=http://www.hutchk12.org/geo/mngeo/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161031084641/http://www.hutchk12.org/geo/mngeo/index.html |archive-date=October 31, 2016 |access-date=July 20, 2017}}</ref>
[[File:Labeled neighborhoods of Duluth, Minnesota.svg|thumb|left|250px|Map of Duluth neighborhoods]]

Duluth's topography is dominated by a steep hillside that climbs from Lake Superior to high inland elevations. Duluth has been called "the San Francisco of the Midwest", alluding to [[San Francisco]]'s similar water-to-hilltop topography. This similarity was most evident before World War II, when Duluth had a network of streetcars and an [[funicular|inclined railroad]], the [[7th Avenue West Incline Railway]], that, like San Francisco's cable cars, climbed a steep hill. The change in elevation is illustrated by Duluth's two airports. The [[weather station]] at the lakeside Sky Harbor Airport on Minnesota Point has an elevation of {{convert|607|ft|m}}, while Duluth International Airport, atop the hill, is {{convert|820|ft|m}} higher at {{convert|1427|ft|m}}.<ref name="wunderground">{{Cite web |title=Duluth, Minnesota |url=http://www.wunderground.com/US/MN/Duluth/KDYT.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070807143054/http://www.wunderground.com/US/MN/Duluth/KDYT.html |archive-date=August 7, 2007 |access-date=August 18, 2007 |publisher=The Weather Underground, Inc. (wunderground.com)}}</ref>

[[File:ISS053-E-223431.jpg|thumb|View from International Space Station, 2017. Duluth and Lake Superior coast are visible at far left]]
Even as the city has grown, its populace has tended to hug Lake Superior's shoreline, making Duluth a primarily southwest–northeast city. The considerable development on the hill has given Duluth many steep streets. Some neighborhoods, such as [[Piedmont Heights (Duluth)|Piedmont Heights]] and [[Bayview Heights (Duluth)|Bayview Heights]], are atop the hill with scenic views of the city. [[Skyline Parkway]] is a scenic roadway that extends from Becks Road above the [[Gary – New Duluth|Gary–New Duluth]] neighborhood near the western end of the city to the [[Lakeside – Lester Park (Duluth)|Lester Park]] neighborhood on the east side. It crosses nearly Duluth's entire length and affords views of Lake Superior, the Aerial Lift Bridge, Canal Park, and the many industries that inhabit the largest inland port.

A developing part of the city is the [[Miller Hill Mall]] area, as well as the adjacent big-box retailer shopping strips "over the hill" along the Miller Trunk Highway corridor. The 2009–10 road reconstruction project in Duluth's Miller Hill area improved movement through the [[U.S. Highway 53]] corridor from Trinity Road to Maple Grove Road. The highway project reconstructed connector roads, intersections, and adjacent roadways. A new international airport terminal was completed in 2013 as part of the federal government's Stimulus Reconstruction Program.

===Geological history===
[[File:Large anorthosite xenolith in ophitic ilmenite gabbro (anorthosite series, Duluth Complex, Mesoproterozoic, 1099 Ma; Keene Creek East Skyline Parkway roadcut, Duluth, Minnesota, USA) 1 (22039818790).jpg|thumb|[[Anorthosite]] [[xenolith]] in Duluth, part of the Duluth Complex]]

The geology of Duluth demonstrates the [[Midcontinent Rift]], formed as the North American continent began to split apart about 1.1 billion years ago. As the [[Mantle (geology)|Earth's crust]] thinned, [[magma]] rose toward the surface. These intrusions formed a {{convert|16|km|abbr=on}}-thick [[Sill (geology)|sill]], primarily of [[gabbro]], which is known as the [[Duluth Complex]].<ref name="Duluth Streams">{{Cite web |last=Miller, Jim |title=An Introduction to the Geology of the North Shore |url=http://www.lakesuperiorstreams.org/understanding/geology.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150708182221/http://www.lakesuperiorstreams.org/understanding/geology.html |archive-date=July 8, 2015 |access-date=June 28, 2015 |publisher=Duluth Streams}}</ref>

The creation of the Lake Superior basin reflects the erosive power of [[Laurentide Ice Sheet|continental glaciers]] that advanced and retreated over Minnesota several times in the past 2 million years. The mile-thick ice sheets easily eroded the [[sandstone]] that filled the axis of the rift valley but encountered more resistance from the [[igneous rock]]s forming the flanks of the rift, now the margins of the lake basin. As the last glacier retreated, meltwaters filled the lake as high as {{convert|500|ft|m}} above the current level; the [[Skyline Parkway]] roughly follows one of the highest levels of the ancient Lake Superior, [[Glacial Lake Duluth]].<ref name="Duluth Streams" /> The sandstone that buried the igneous rocks of the rift is exposed near [[Fond du Lac (Duluth)|Fond du Lac]]. At one time, a large number of quarries produced the stone, after which it was sold as Fond du Lac or Lake Superior [[brownstone]]; such stone was widely used in Duluth buildings and also shipped to Minneapolis, Chicago, and Milwaukee. The weathered sandstone forms the sandy lake bottom and shores of Park Point.<ref name="Duluth Streams" />

===Climate===
[[File:Duluth blizzard, December 2007.jpg|thumb|Late-winter blizzard, March 2007]]

{{climate chart
| Duluth
|2.4|19.9|0.95
|6.0|24.8|1.01
|17.8|36.2|1.46
|29.9|49.2|2.53
|41.0|63.0|3.37
|50.2|72.1|4.39
|56.2|77.7|3.92
|55.2|75.8|3.73
|47.3|67.2|3.48
|35.6|52.7|2.91
|22.5|37.1|1.96
|9.6|24.7|1.47
|float     =
|clear     =
|units     = imperial
}}

Duluth has a [[humid continental climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]] ''Dfb''), slightly moderated by its proximity to Lake Superior. Winters are long, snowy, and very cold, normally seeing maximum temperatures remaining at or below {{convert|32|F|C}} for 100 days (the second-most of any city in the contiguous US behind [[International Falls, Minnesota|International Falls]]), falling to or below {{convert|0|°F}} on 38 nights, and bringing consistent snow cover from late November to early April.<ref name="Duluth NOAA" /> Winter storms that pass south or east of Duluth can often set up easterly or northeasterly flow, leading to occasional upslope lake-effect snow events that bring {{one2a|{{convert|1|ft|cm|0}}}} or more of snow to the city while areas {{convert|50|mi|km}} inland receive considerably less. The average annual snowfall is {{convert|90.2|in}}. The lake steams in the winter when moist lake-warmed air at the surface rises and cools, losing some of its moisture-carrying capacity.<ref name="superior">{{Cite web |title=Duluth Minnesota Travel - Things to do and see |url=http://www.superiortrails.com/duluth_1.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120628231401/http://www.superiortrails.com/duluth_1.html |archive-date=June 28, 2012 |access-date=June 24, 2012}}</ref>

Using data on the minimum monthly temperature between 1981 and 2010, the [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]] (NOAA) developed a Comparative Climatic Data report. With a minimum average monthly low temperature of {{convert|1.5|°F}} and a maximum average monthly low temperature of {{convert|55.4|°F}}, Duluth was found to be the fifth-coldest city in the United States.<ref name="USA TODAY">{{Cite news |date=February 28, 2015 |title=Brrrr: America's 50 coldest cities |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2015/02/28/247-wall-st-coldest-cities/24107481/ |url-status=live |access-date=April 23, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170423153831/https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2015/02/28/247-wall-st-coldest-cities/24107481/ |archive-date=April 23, 2017}}</ref>

Summers are warm, although nights are generally cool, with daytime temperatures averaging {{convert|78|°F}} in July, with that figure being a few degrees warmer inland. Temperatures reach or exceed {{convert|90|°F}} on average, only two days per year, while the city has officially seen {{convert|100|°F}} temperatures on only three days, all during the [[1936 North American heat wave|July 1936 heat wave]] from the [[Dust Bowl]] years.<ref name="Duluth NOAA" /> The phrase "cooler by the lake" can be heard often in weather forecasts during the summer, especially on days when an easterly wind is expected. Great local variations are also common because of the rapid change in elevation between the nearly {{convert|900|ft|m|adj=on}} hilltop and shoreside. Often, this variation manifests itself as snow in higher elevations, whereas rain falls near Lake Superior.<ref name="superior" />

The record low temperature in Duluth is {{convert|-41|°F}}, set on January 2, 1885. The record high temperature is {{convert|106|°F}}, set on July 13, 1936. On average, the first freezing temperature occurs on September 30 and the last on May 14, although a freezing temperature has occurred in August. The average window for measurable (≥{{convert|0.1|in|cm|abbr=on|disp=or}}) snowfall is October 22 through April 26.<ref name="Duluth NOAA" />

{{wide image|File:Duluth, Minnesota (2017).jpg|1000px|Skyline in summer, August 2017}}

{{Duluth, Minnesota weatherbox}}
{{Weather box
|location = [[Superior, Wisconsin|Superior]], Wisconsin (adjacent to Duluth, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1909–present)
|collapsed = Y
|single line = Y
|Jan record high F = 55
|Feb record high F = 60
|Mar record high F = 80
|Apr record high F = 92
|May record high F = 96
|Jun record high F = 98
|Jul record high F = 105
|Aug record high F = 99
|Sep record high F = 97
|Oct record high F = 89
|Nov record high F = 79
|Dec record high F = 60
|year record high F = 105
|Jan avg record high F = 41.3
|Feb avg record high F = 45.0
|Mar avg record high F = 56.7
|Apr avg record high F = 70.4
|May avg record high F = 82.3
|Jun avg record high F = 87.3
|Jul avg record high F = 91.1
|Aug avg record high F = 89.4
|Sep avg record high F = 83.3
|Oct avg record high F = 74.7
|Nov avg record high F = 57.1
|Dec avg record high F = 43.0
|year avg record high F = 92.7
|Jan high F = 22.5
|Feb high F = 26.9
|Mar high F = 36.1
|Apr high F = 46.0
|May high F = 57.4
|Jun high F = 67.0
|Jul high F = 76.1
|Aug high F = 74.8
|Sep high F = 66.6
|Oct high F = 53.0
|Nov high F = 39.1
|Dec high F = 27.3
|year high F = 49.4
|Jan mean F = 14.1
|Feb mean F = 18.0
|Mar mean F = 28.5
|Apr mean F = 38.9
|May mean F = 49.1
|Jun mean F = 58.2
|Jul mean F = 67.1
|Aug mean F = 66.4
|Sep mean F = 58.4
|Oct mean F = 45.8
|Nov mean F = 32.4
|Dec mean F = 20.2
|year mean F = 41.4
|Jan low F = 5.8
|Feb low F = 9.1
|Mar low F = 21.0
|Apr low F = 31.8
|May low F = 40.9
|Jun low F = 49.5
|Jul low F = 58.0
|Aug low F = 58.0
|Sep low F = 50.1
|Oct low F = 38.6
|Nov low F = 25.6
|Dec low F = 13.1
|year low F = 33.5
|Jan avg record low F = -17.2
|Feb avg record low F = -10.9
|Mar avg record low F = -1.4
|Apr avg record low F = 18.3
|May avg record low F = 30.6
|Jun avg record low F = 39.2
|Jul avg record low F = 47.1
|Aug avg record low F = 47.0
|Sep avg record low F = 35.3
|Oct avg record low F = 25.1
|Nov avg record low F = 7.9
|Dec avg record low F = -9.3
|year avg record low F = -19.5
|Jan record low F = −37
|Feb record low F = −38
|Mar record low F = −38
|Apr record low F = -2
|May record low F = 11
|Jun record low F = 25
|Jul record low F = 34
|Aug record low F = 31
|Sep record low F = 19
|Oct record low F = 9
|Nov record low F = −19
|Dec record low F = −32
|year record low F = -38
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation inch = 0.81
|Feb precipitation inch = 0.89
|Mar precipitation inch = 1.41
|Apr precipitation inch = 2.64
|May precipitation inch = 3.37
|Jun precipitation inch = 4.56
|Jul precipitation inch = 3.88
|Aug precipitation inch = 3.92
|Sep precipitation inch = 3.39
|Oct precipitation inch = 3.17
|Nov precipitation inch = 2.12
|Dec precipitation inch = 1.29
|year precipitation inch = 31.45
|Jan snow inch = 14.5
|Feb snow inch = 12.4
|Mar snow inch = 9.1
|Apr snow inch = 1.7
|May snow inch = 0.0
|Jun snow inch = 0.0
|Jul snow inch = 0.0
|Aug snow inch = 0.0
|Sep snow inch = 0.0
|Oct snow inch = 0.2
|Nov snow inch = 5.8
|Dec snow inch = 12.3
|year snow inch = 56.0
|unit precipitation days = 0.01 in
|Jan precipitation days = 7.1
|Feb precipitation days = 5.6
|Mar precipitation days = 7.1
|Apr precipitation days = 8.8
|May precipitation days = 11.6
|Jun precipitation days = 11.5
|Jul precipitation days = 10.4
|Aug precipitation days = 9.6
|Sep precipitation days = 9.9
|Oct precipitation days = 9.7
|Nov precipitation days = 8.1
|Dec precipitation days = 7.0
|year precipitation days = 106.4
|unit snow days = 0.1 in
|Jan snow days = 6.8
|Feb snow days = 5.2
|Mar snow days = 3.7
|Apr snow days = 1.6
|May snow days = 0.0
|Jun snow days = 0.0
|Jul snow days = 0.0
|Aug snow days = 0.0
|Sep snow days = 0.0
|Oct snow days = 0.1
|Nov snow days = 3.1
|Dec snow days = 5.7
|year snow days = 26.2
|source 1 = [[NOAA]]<ref name="nws">{{Cite web 
|title = NowData - NOAA Online Weather Data 
|url = https://w2.weather.gov/climate/xmacis.php?wfo=dlh 
|access-date = June 13, 2021 
|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 
|archive-date = May 9, 2021 
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210509024006/https://w2.weather.gov/climate/xmacis.php?wfo=dlh 
|url-status = dead 
}}</ref><ref name="NCEI">{{Cite web 
|title = Station: Superior, WI 
|url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&startDate=0001-01-01&endDate=9996-12-31&stations=USC00478349&format=pdf 
|access-date = June 13, 2021 
|website = U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991-2020) 
|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240118225329/https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&startDate=0001-01-01&endDate=9996-12-31&stations=USC00478349&format=pdf
|archive-date = January 18, 2024}}</ref>
}}

===2012 flooding===
From June 19–20, 2012, Duluth suffered the worst flood in its history, caused by {{convert|9|in|mm|spell=in}} of rain throughout the course of 30 hours.<ref>{{Cite news |date=June 21, 2012 |title=Worst ever Duluth, Minnesota flood causes $80 million in damage |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-weather-midwest-floods-idUSBRE85K1Q720120621 |url-status=live |access-date=July 1, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924164826/http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/06/21/us-weather-midwest-floods-idUSBRE85K1Q720120621 |archive-date=September 24, 2015}}</ref> Combined with its rocky sediments, hard soil, and 43 streams and creeks, the city could not handle the massive rainfall.<ref>{{Cite news |date=September 16, 2014 |title=Duluth |url=http://www.gulgasht.com/usa/duluth-minnesota.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140919011501/http://www.gulgasht.com/usa/duluth-minnesota.html |archive-date=September 19, 2014 |df=mdy-all}}</ref> Mayor [[Don Ness]] declared a [[state of emergency]], asking for national assistance.<ref>[http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/47890156] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120623194925/http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/47890156|date=June 23, 2012}}</ref> [[Minnesota Governor]] [[Mark Dayton]] declared a state of emergency, sending the [[Minnesota National Guard|National Guard]] and the [[Red Cross]] to assist in the relief efforts.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Gov. Dayton Tours Destruction in Duluth, Says Aid Will Come |url=http://www.northlandsnewscenter.com/news/local/Gov-Dayton-Tours-Destruction-in-Duluth-Says-Aid-Will-Come-159952915.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120625002542/http://www.northlandsnewscenter.com/news/local/Gov-Dayton-Tours-Destruction-in-Duluth-Says-Aid-Will-Come-159952915.html |archive-date=June 25, 2012 |access-date=June 22, 2012 |website=northlandsnewscenter.com |df=mdy-all}}</ref> Several sinkholes opened throughout the city, causing massive property damage.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.wdio.com/article/stories/S2663445.shtml?cat=10349|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120623091039/http://www.wdio.com/article/stories/S2663445.shtml?cat=10349|url-status=dead|title=WDIO.com – Duluth Roads Collapse, Sinkholes Swallow Cars<!-- Bot generated title -->|archive-date=June 23, 2012|access-date=August 8, 2024}}</ref> Several feet of standing water accumulated in many city alleys and parking lots.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.fox11online.com/dpp/weather/people-animals-flee-duluth-floods|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120623063805/http://www.fox11online.com/dpp/weather/people-animals-flee-duluth-floods|url-status=dead|title=People, animals flee Duluth floods<!-- Bot generated title -->|archive-date=June 23, 2012|access-date=August 8, 2024}}</ref> Streets were turned into rapids, and many roads split apart due to the heavy flow of water.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.kare11.com/news/article/980350/391/Duluth-flood-wreaking-havoc-on-families?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Cbc%7Clarge|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130127041711/http://www.kare11.com/news/article/980350/391/Duluth-flood-wreaking-havoc-on-families?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Cbc%7Clarge|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 27, 2013|title=Duluth flood wreaking havoc on families &#124; kare11.com|date=January 27, 2013|website=Archive.ph|access-date=August 8, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=DeRusha |first=Jason |title=Good Question: Where Does Clean-Up Money Come From? |url=http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2012/06/21/good-question-where-does-clean-up-money-come-from/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120623194713/http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2012/06/21/good-question-where-does-clean-up-money-come-from/ |archive-date=June 23, 2012 |access-date=June 22, 2012}}</ref> A portion of West [[Skyline Parkway]] tumbled down the hill, isolating a neighborhood.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://secure.forumcomm.com/?publisher_ID=40&article_id=239432&CFID=619254345&CFTOKEN=19605424|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130125030719/https://secure.forumcomm.com/?publisher_ID=40&article_id=239432&CFID=619254345&CFTOKEN=19605424|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 25, 2013|title=Grand Forks Herald &#124; Grand Forks, North Dakota|date=January 25, 2013|website=Archive.ph|access-date=August 8, 2024}}</ref> The Saint Louis River, in Duluth's [[Fond du Lac (Duluth)|Fond du Lac neighborhood]], flooded Highway 23, isolating that neighborhood as well and damaging roadways and bridges.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/event/article/id/235214/|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130122010702/http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/event/article/id/235214/|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 22, 2013|title=Duluth couple endures tsunami on the river &#124; Duluth News Tribune &#124; Du…|date=January 22, 2013|website=Archive.ph|access-date=August 8, 2024}}</ref>

The Lake Superior Zoo flooded in the early hours of June 20; 11 barnyard animals drowned, as did a turkey vulture, a raven, and a snowy owl.<ref>[http://bostonherald.com/news/national/midwest/view/20120621flooding_causes_animal_deaths_at_lake_superior_zoo]{{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> The rising waters enabled a [[polar bear]] to escape her exhibit, though she was quickly found on zoo grounds, tranquilized, and moved to safety. Two [[harbor seal]]s escaped the zoo grounds but were later found on Grand Avenue. All three animals were moved to [[Como Park Zoo]] in Saint Paul for a temporary but indeterminate amount of time.<ref>{{Cite news |date=June 20, 2012 |title=People, zoo animals flee Minnesota city flooding |work=Fox News |url=https://www.foxnews.com/us/people-animals-flee-floods-in-ne-minnesota-city/ |url-status=live |access-date=June 22, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120622073134/http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012/06/20/people-animals-flee-floods-in-ne-minnesota-city/ |archive-date=June 22, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/event/article/id/234981/|title=Flood closes Lake Superior Zoo; kills barnyard animals and birds|website=Archive.today|access-date=July 9, 2019|archive-date=January 21, 2013|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130121183038/http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/event/article/id/234981/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=June 20, 2012 |title=Como Zoo gives refuge to Duluth polar bear, seals (w/ video) – Twin Cities |url=http://www.twincities.com/2012/06/20/como-zoo-gives-refuge-to-duluth-polar-bear-seals-w-video/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220215901/http://www.twincities.com/2012/06/20/como-zoo-gives-refuge-to-duluth-polar-bear-seals-w-video/ |archive-date=December 20, 2016 |access-date=December 3, 2016}}</ref> The polar bear was transferred to the [[Kansas City Zoo]] in 2012 as part of the American Zoological Association's (AZA) Species Survival Program breeding recommendation.

===2012 tornado===
Tornadoes are uncommon in Duluth, considering its latitude and location next to the climate-moderating Lake Superior. However, on August 9, 2012, at around 11:00 am, a tornado touched down on Minnesota Point. It had originally started as a waterspout in Superior Bay, {{convert|2|mi|km|spell=in}} from Sky Harbor Airport, but briefly found its way onto the sandbar's shoreline, making it a true tornado. It quickly dissipated but soon touched down again on Superior's Barker's Island, where it again quickly dissipated. It caused no serious damage; the tornado was categorized as an EF0 on the [[Enhanced Fujita Scale]]. At the time, the [[National Weather Service]] reported that it was Duluth's first tornado. Further investigation showed that more than {{rounddown|{{age|format=raw|1958|5|26}}|-1}} years ago, on May 26, 1958, Duluth had a "miniature tornado" that collapsed a garage and damaged two area lake cabins. It lasted only five minutes. The ''News Tribune'' reported a possible twister on July 11, 1935:<blockquote>Swirling into the city on the wings of a torrential rain, a miniature tornado struck in the heart of the Gary-New Duluth district shortly before 8 a.m. yesterday, flattening a row of coal sheds [and] a frame garage and causing general damage to trees in the vicinity. The United States weather bureau had no means of officially recording the twister, the high wind having limited itself to the Gary-New Duluth district.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/event/article/id/239784/|title=Duluth News Tribune &#124; Duluth, Minnesota<!-- Bot generated title -->|website=Duluthnewstribune.com|access-date=August 8, 2024}}{{Dead link|date=August 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref name="Pioneer Press">{{Cite news |date=August 14, 2012 |title=Duluth tornado/waterspout might not have been a first |url=http://www.twincities.com/ci_21309198/duluth-tornado-waterspout-might-not-have-been-first |url-status=live |access-date=July 19, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808170417/http://www.twincities.com/ci_21309198/duluth-tornado-waterspout-might-not-have-been-first |archive-date=August 8, 2014}}</ref></blockquote>