Preliminary Climate Summary for June of 2026

Preliminary Climate Summary for June of 2026:

The beginning and the end of June were dominated by warmer than normal temperatures, while during the middle of the month cooler than normal temperatures prevailed. Over 30 daily high warm minimum temperature records were set within the state climate network early in the month, including 72°F at Albert Lea (Freeborn County) on June 10th. High dew points also brought Heat Index Values between 95°F and 102°F to parts of the state over June 9-10. During the middle part of the month a handful of cold temperature records were set within the state climate network, including a record low minimum temperature of 37°F and a record cold maximum temperature of 53°F at Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center (Lake County).

Overall, most climate stations will report a mean monthly temperature for June of 2026 that is near normal, or 1°F to 3°F above normal. Extremes for the month were 97°F at Benson (Swift County) on the 10th and 32°F at Celina (St Louis County) on the 19th. Over 40 climate stations reported at least one day with a maximum temperature of 90°F or higher. Even more 90°F are expected over the last three days of the month (Sun-Tue).

Rainfall was highly variable around Minnesota during June of 2026. Though many climate observers reported 12 or more days with rain, amounts were generally light and few daily rainfall records were set. Most areas of the state reported total monthly rainfall over 3 inches, while a few parts of southeastern and west-central Minnesota reported between 5 and 7 inches. A few spotty areas in the north reported less than 1.50 inches of total rainfall. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, both Moderate and Severe Drought areas expanded over the state during June. Approximately 27 percent of the state landscape is in Moderate Drought and 14 percent is in Severe Drought as the month concludes.

There were many windy days during June with wind gusts of 30 mph or greater, mostly in western and southern counties. Redwood Falls, Moorhead, and Rochester all reported gusts of 30 mph or greater on half of the days in the month.

Earlier in the week, USDA estimate that between 75 percent and 80 percent of the Minnesota corn and soybean crops were in good to excellent condition.

Weekly Weather Potpourri:

BBC news featured several articles about the Heat Wave in Western Europe this week. Portions of France reported daily high temperatures of 110°F, while portions of Spain were 112°F. In the U.K. where air conditioning is not especially widespread, citizens found it difficult to cope with temperatures ranging from 93°F to 96°F, setting many record high values within their climate station network.

The Weather Channel web site reports on year-to-date tornado activity around the nation so far in 2026. Surprisingly, Illinois has reported the most tornadoes so far this year with 196. The climate in Illinois for the spring was unusually warm and humid. For comparison with neighboring states, Indiana has reported 75 tornadoes so far this year, while Iowa has reported 64. I could not find a preliminary number for Minnesota so far.

MPR listener question:

The cold east wind which is normal in Duluth for April and May, continues now to blow cold all through June. When will the more welcome west and south winds come and warm things up along the Lake Superior shore?

Answer:

Indeed, I see from the Duluth climate station that over a third of the days this month have seen cool winds from the east and several other days cold have brought cold north winds.. Climatology shows that July brings a much higher frequency of winds from the west and that is exactly what is going to happen over the next week or so. Starting next Monday, June 29th the wind pattern should change with prevailing westerly wind the last two days of June and the first week of July. This will bring warmer temperatures to Duluth as we conclude the month and go into July.

Twin Cities Almanac for June 26th:

The average MSP high temperature for this date is 82 degrees F (plus or minus 8 degrees F standard deviation), while the average low is.64 degrees F (plus or minus 7 degrees F standard deviation).

MSP Local Records for June 26th:

MSP records for this date: highest daily maximum temperature of 99 degrees F in 1931; lowest daily maximum temperature of 55 degrees F in 1968; lowest daily minimum temperature of 46 degrees F in 1926; highest daily minimum temperature of 78 degrees F in 1931, and record precipitation of 2.54 inches in 1998. No snowfall has occurred on this date.

Average dew point for June 26th is 58°F; the maximum dew point on this date is 76°F in 1953 and the minimum dew point on this date is 31 degrees F in 1992.

All-time statewide records for June 26th:

The state record high temperature for this date is.106 degrees F at Milan (Chippewa County) in 1933 and at Faribault (Rice County) in 1934. The state record low temperature for this date is 26 degrees F at Kelliher (Beltrami County) in 2003. The statewide record for precipitation on this date is 5.20 inches at Morris (Stevens County) in 1914. No snow has fallen on this date.

Past Weather:

Slow-moving thunderstorms brought heavy rains to Minnesota over June 26-27 of 1914. Many observers reported 2 to 3 inches of rain. Morris (Stevens County) reported over 5 inches, with some wheat fields washed out as well. June of 1914 was one of the wettest in state history, with many climate stations reporting 10 to 14 inches of rainfall for the month.

Over 25 Minnesota climate stations reported record high maximum temperatures on the afternoon of June 26 in 1933. Thirteen Minnesota counties reported a temperature of 100°F or greater. Afternoon and evening thunderstorms brought cooler air to many parts of western Minnesota.

Campers in northern Minnesota awoke to some frost on the morning of June 26 in 1982. Eight climate stations reported morning temperatures in the low to mid 30s F. Observers at Grand Marais and Duluth Harbors reported that daytime high temperatures remained in the 50s F that day, certainly low enough for jackets and sweatshirts.

Outlook:

Much warmer over the weekend with very humid conditions returning to the state as well. Temperatures will be near normal Saturday but then climb to well above normal for Sunday through at least Thursday of next week. With higher dew points, Heat Index Values may range from 100°F to 110°F in some parts of the state on Monday. There will be chances for showers and thunderstorms late Saturday night and into Sunday, then again Monday night. Each day next week will bring chances for showers and thunderstorms as well as high dew points. Many areas of the state will see daytime highs in the 90s F.