Preliminary Climate Summary for May of 2026

Preliminary Climate Summary for May of 2026:

May brought wide temperature fluctuations across Minnesota, starting out the first half of the month with multiple frosts and many days with colder than normal temperatures. Frosts occurred across even southern Minnesota counties over May 5-6, but most crops were either just planted or too early in their growth to be seriously damaged. Mid-month monthly brought some summerlike temperatures, as well as some Red Flag Warnings because of very low humidity and high winds. The last week of the month brought well above normal temperatures, with many climate stations reporting high temperatures of 90°F or above. May 16th and May 25th brought daily record high temperatures to at least 20 climate stations in the state. International Falls reached a daily record high temperature of 89°F on the 25th.

Overall, northern Minnesota reported mean monthly temperatures that were from 1°F to 3°F cooler than normal, while southern Minnesota climate stations reported mean monthly temperatures that were 1°F to 2°F above normal. Extremes for the month were 95°F on May 25th at Madison (Lac Qui Parle County), Brainerd (Crow Wing County), and Artichoke Lake (Big Stone County); and a low of just 15°F at Brimson (St Louis County) on May 1st.

Precipitation was infrequent, with only 5 to 7 days bringing measurable rainfall to most places. The vast majority of climate stations reported below normal monthly rainfall. Most observers reported between 1 and 2 inches. Among the long-term climate station, only Winnebago (Faribault County) reported above normal rainfall with a little over 4.50 inches. A few locations along the Lake Superior shoreline reported between 0.2 inches and 0.8 inches of snow during the first cold first week of the month. Tofte reported 1.5 inches on May 6th. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, about 11 percent of the Minnesota landscape, mostly north-central counties and southwestern counties, were in Moderate Drought at month’s end. Small portions of Rock and Pipestone Counties were in Severe Drought. At least 18 wildfires were reported during May, mostly mid-month. The two largest were the Flanders Dire (Crow Wing County) at over 1700 acres, and the Stewart Trail Fire (Lake County) estimated at close to 375 acres.

May 17 brought some severe thunderstorms to southern portions of Minnesota. There were at least four tornado reports, mostly minor damage, and some reports of large hail. The Minnesota State Climatology Office web site reported on these storms.

Strong winds occurred with greater than normal frequency during this May. Many climate stations reported 14 to 18 days with wind gusts of 30 mph or greater. There were several reports of 50 mph wind gusts and some as much as 60 mph. Wind blown dust and soil was observed in portions of the Red River Valley.

The outlook for the first half of June looks to favor warmer than normal temperatures, and a drier than normal pattern in terms of rainfall. Let’s hope that pattern does not persist into the second half of the month.

Weekly Weather Potpourri:

The BBC Weather Center reported this week on how players are coping with the above normal temperature conditions at the French Open Tennis Tournament. A so-called “heat dome”, warm air trapped under a high pressure system. Temperatures near courtside have soared to as high as 93°F. Electric fans are used to keep players cooler when they are resting, but the heat has made the balls move faster and the court surface harder so it plays faster. In such conditions, player fitness and endurance will be well tested.

The Weather Underground web site reported on a new study about the vulnerability of New Orleans and other southern coastal communities to climate change impacts. Recent research examines how climate change is causing a combination of sea-level rise, sinking land and intensifying extreme weather, and how it is all impacting one of the most vulnerable coastlines in America. Despite climate adaptation efforts to improve local community resilience to climate change, the combination of various impacts may mandate relocation for many people living in the area.

MPR listener question:

We heard you suggest a warmer and drier summer might be in store for Minnesota on a recent TPT Almanac episode. Do you still think that this is the case?

Answer:

Yes and No. With respect to overall temperature pattern, based on NOAA’s North American Mult-Model Ensemble Outlooks, I think it will be a warmer than normal summer. As for rainfall, it may vary even within the state boundaries, with southern areas of the state seeing above normal rainfall, but northern areas seeing below normal.

Twin Cities Almanac for May 29th:

The average MSP high temperature for this date is 74 degrees F (plus or minus 9 degrees F standard deviation), while the average low is.55 degrees F (plus or minus 7 degrees F standard deviation).

MSP Local Records for May 29th:

MSP records for this date: highest daily maximum temperature of 94 degrees F in 2018; lowest daily maximum temperature of 53 degrees F in 1947; lowest daily minimum temperature of 33 degrees F in 1965; highest daily minimum temperature of 74 degrees F in 2006, and record precipitation of 2.49 inches in 1942. No snowfall has occurred on this date.

Average dew point for May 29th is 51°F; the maximum dew point on this date is 72°F in 1953 and the minimum dew point on this date is 25 degrees F in 1947.

All-time statewide records for May 29th:

The state record high temperature for this date is.104 degrees F at Campbell (Wilkin County) in 1934. The state record low temperature for this date is 19 degrees F at Brimson (St Louis County) in 2021. The statewide record for precipitation on this date is 7.50 inches at Thief River Falls (Pennington County) in 1949. A record 2.6 inches of snow fell at Grand Portage (Cook County) on this date in 1897 and at Spring Grove (Houston County) in 1947.

Past Weather:

Strong thunderstorms brought heavy rainfall to portions of southern and central Minnesota over May 29-30 in 1942. Many climate observers reported 3 to 5 inches of rainfall, and areas around the Twin Cities reported over 6 inches with widespread street flooding. Downtown St Paul and downtown Minneapolis, along with Milan and Pipestone reported over 10 inches of rainfall that month.

May 28 and 29 of 1965 brought widespread frosts across Minnesota, with morning low temperatures in the 20s F up north and low 30s F in southern counties. Frost occurred as far south as Winona. Corn, potato, and small grains crops were damaged by the late spring frost. Over 40 Minnesota climate stations reported record-setting cold low temperatures.

Record-setting high temperatures prevailed across much of Minnesota on May 29 of 2018. Many communities saw afternoon temperatures of 90°F or higher. Seven southern counties reported daily high temperatures of at least 100°F. The overnight temperature never dropped below 75°F at La Crescent.

Outlook:

The last weekend of May will bring warmer than normal temperatures to most of the state, especially in the north. Portions of southern Minnesota will have chances for some thunderstorms later in the day on Saturday and Sunday. Temperatures will continue to be warmer than normal next week, with chances for showers and thunderstorms in the south on Monday, and statewide by Wednesday and Thursday.