Minnesota WeatherTalk

July Climate Summary: July of 2026 will be long remembered for its persistent heat and record poor air quality, as well as the wildfires in the BWCA. Average monthly temperatures were generally from 4°F to 6°F above normal across the state, placing this month among the 5 or 6 warmest Julys in state history. In northeastern Minnesota some climate stations reported their 2nd warmest July in history, while in north-central Minnesota it was the third warmest. Many climate observers reported 12 or more days with maximum temperatures of 90°F or greater, and some reported as many at 15 such days. Climate observers in 7 counties reported at least one day with a maximum temperature of 100°F or greater. Remarkably, both Kettle Falls (100°F on the 14th) and Seagull Lake (101°F on the 13th) reported temperatures reaching the century mark for the first time in history there. The NOAA National Weather Service issued multiple Heat Advisories and Extreme Heat Warnings during the month, with Heat ...

July Heat Has Been Extraordinary: Last week I wrote about the combination of heat and poor air quality, but further analysis shows that the heat was very extraordinary. For example, the statewide average temperature for the 10 days from July 11 to July 20 was 77°F. This is the second highest statewide average temperature in history for this 10-day period, surpassed only by 1936 when the 10-day statewide average was 82.6°F. During this 10-day interval this month, there were 43 daily maximum temperature records set within the state climate station network, including three very unusual ones. Baudette measured 99°F on July 12th, International Falls measured 98°F on July 12th, and Gunflint Lake measured 98°F on July 14th. These temperatures are among the warmest ever measured at those three locations. Even more astonishing, Kettle Falls on the border with Canada and imbedded in Voyageurs National Park, reported a record high temperature of 100°F on July 14, the highest temperature eve...

July Heat Wave coupled with worst air quality: Since last Friday, many Minnesota climate stations have been reporting daily temperatures that are from 8°F to 14°F above normal for this time of year, with many reporting continuous days with maximum temperatures of 90°F or greater. In addition, many stations have reported several consecutive nights of overnight minimum temperatures ranging from 70°F to 76°F. More than a dozen long-term climate stations have reported some record-setting daily high temperatures, including International Falls with 98°F on the 12th, Duluth with 91°F on the 12th, and Cass Lake with 95°F on the 13th. In addition, there have been over 30 reports of record-setting warm nights, including a minimum temperature of 75°F at Detroit Lakes on the 12th. Higher dew points this week have pushed daily Heat Index Values into the triple digits for many locations around the state, especially over Monday through Wednesday when many areas reported Heat Index Values from 101...

Warm and Wet Start to July: Through the first 9 days of July temperatures around the state are averaging 2°F to 4°F warmer than normal, mostly due to warm nights. In fact, Preston (Fillmore County) reported a record warm night on July 1st with a minimum temperature of 77°F. At least 16 counties have reported daytime high temperatures of 90°F or greater this month, but no daily record high temperatures have been reported. Many parts of the state have measured rainfall on 5 or 6 days, and in some cases the rain has come in record amounts. Over 20 long term climate stations have reported record daily rainfalls this month, including: 1.47 inches at Rochester on the 1st 7.30 inches at Grand Meadow on the 2nd 2.50 inches at Hokah on the 3rd 1.64 inches at Cass Lake on the 4th 4.00 inches at New York Mills on the 5th 3.15 inches at Onamia on the 8th 5.95 inches at Austion on the 9th For the July 1-9 period many observers have reported from 2 to 5 inches of rainfall, while in southeastern c...

Record dew points for June 29 combined with severe weather: Monday, June 29th was by far the warmest day of the summer so far. Afternoon Heat Index Values widely ranged from 100°F to 108°F. There were even some values as high as 110°F to 112°F reported at some western and southern locations. The Heat Index Values were driven by record high dew points. Daily record high dew points of 78°F occurred at MSP and St Cloud, as well as at Rochester with a dew point of 79°F. There were widespread reports of record dew points between 80°F and 84°F within the state climate station network, especially from western and southern counties. Some stations reporting dew points of 80°F or higher included: Preston Austin Albert Lea Dodge Center St James New Ulm Slayton Worthington Pipestone Benson, Appleton Morris Sauk Center Willmar Glenwood Fergus Falls Princeton In my 48 years of reporting on Minnesota weather I have never seen such widespread reports of dew points this high in the month of June....