Minnesota WeatherTalk

Very Windy and Dry Month of May So Far: Through the first two weeks of May, the climate signature in Minnesota is cool, dry, and very windy. Despite the warm-up this week, average temperatures for the month so far range from 2°F to 5°F below normal, with multiple frosts having occurred in many areas. Frosts were reported as recently as May 12th (Tue) in some southern counties, and as recently as May 14th in some northern counties. Forecasts for over the weekend suggest a continuation of above normal temperatures (some 70s F and 80s F) through at least Monday before another cool-down to below normal values. Rainfall has been significantly absent so far this month, with most places in the state reporting less than a tenth of an inch. Only a few places in northeastern and north-central Minnesota have reported rainfall between a quarter of an inch and half an inch. Rapidly moving thunderstorms brought some rain to portions of central and northern Minnesota Thursday afternoon (May 14)....

Cold and Dry Start to May: The month of May has started out colder than normal. Most climate stations report an average monthly temperature through the first 8 days that is 6°F to 9°F cooler than normal. Many areas of the state have seen multiple frosty nights. In fact, a a few northern counties have reported low temperatures from 15°F to 19°F. Frosts have occurred as far south as Caledonia and Albert Lea. Fortunately after this coming Monday (May 11) temperatures are expected to warm closer to normal and even above normal values by the middle of next week. Most of the state has reported no rainfall so far this month. Some northern areas have received between 0.10 inches and 0.30 inches from brief showers. Forecasts suggested that there will be little rainfall until at least the second half of the month, so that some remaining areas of Moderate Drought in the state may expand over the coming couple of weeks. Crop planting progress this month has been very good, with over half of...

Climate summary for April of 2026: What a variable month in terms of weather.   Approximately one third of the days brought cooler than normal temperatures with multiple freezes and frosts, one third of the days brought warmer than normal temperatures, with some record-setting highs, and one third of the days brought near normal temperatures.   In the southern half of the state, most climate stations reported a mean monthly temperature that was 1 to 3 degrees F warmer than normal.   In the northern half of the state, where snow cover persisted long, most climate stations reported a mean monthly temperature that was 1 to 3 degrees F cooler than normal.   Extremes for the month ranged from 93°F at Madison (Lac Qui Parle County) on the 22 nd to -8°F at Ada (Norman County) on the 7 th .   At least 22 northern climate stations reported a subzero minimum temperature during the month, while 9 western Minnesota climate stations reported a day with 90°F or higher. ...