St. Cloud, MN Weather Forecast

Cool to Last Through Tomorrow

Minnesota continues to be in the cool portion of the blocked weather pattern across the western portion of North America. The northern branch of the steering winds over British Columbia and Alberta (see clockwise circulation in western Canada on the College of DuPage North America water vapor loop) still is pushing cooler air from the northern Prairie Provinces into Minnesota. High temperatures climbed only to about 50 degrees yesterday afternoon (set time to near 21Z, 4 PM CDT, on the NWS Aviation Weather Center METAR map). The cold pocket of air associated with the large middle atmosphere low pressure system (counterclockwise circulation) centered near the Hudson Bay-Quebec-Ontario border has also produced a lot of low clouds (see College of DuPage North America clean infrared satellite loop) and a few light showers, both rain and snow (see College of DuPage north central US radar loop), in northeastern Minnesota. Despite those clouds, temperatures have dropped below freezing in central Minnesota (see NWS Minnesota hourly weather round-up) with the chance for some upper 20's readings by daybreak.

60's Highs Friday and Saturday, but Back to the 50's Sunday

We will continue the cooler than average temperatures today (highs again within a few degrees of 50) with still a chance for frost again tonight. However, there will be a moderating temperature trend back towards near average highs in the 60's by Friday and Saturday. However, we will remain in the northern branch of the steering winds through the weekend, so a reinforcing shot of cool air is likely for Mother's Day as highs will back down into the 50's.

Chance of Merely Sprinkles at Times Through the Weekend

We will see a decent amount of instability clouds over the next several days. Those clouds will drop occasional sprinkles over much of Minnesota (with some snow showers today in northern Minnesota), but the dry air near the ground will evaporate most of the precipitation before it makes it to the ground. I see a slightly better shot at a few showers on Saturday (1 in 5 chance; see light accumulation potential on Day 3 of the NWS WPC quantitative precipitation forecast), when the next cold front comes through.

Fire Danger High Now, Worsening to Very High on Warmer Days

It will again be breezy today, tomorrow, and Sunday with northwest winds at 10-20 MPH. That is producing some spotty wind chill in the 20's early this morning (see NWS Minnesota hourly weather round-up).  Despite the greening of ground vegetation and the budding on trees, the combination of very dry air (dew points in the 20's on the NWS Aviation Weather Center METAR map), and dry weather is still producing high to very high fire danger in much of Minnesota (see Minnesota fire danger map from the Minnesota DNR). Fire danger is expected to increase late this week due to the return of near average warmth, since we won't see much of a moisture increase.

More Persistent May-Like Temperatures Likely Next Week With Some Rain Chances

Eventually, the stalled pattern of a high in western Canada and a slow-moving low drifting into northwestern Mexico (see College of DuPage North America water vapor loop) will weaken, providing more west-to-east flow next week. That has the potential for some precipitation chances during the early to middle portion of next week, although the chances won't be huge. It will also give us a chance for more consistent May-like highs in the 60's, perhaps even in the 70's at times next week.

Not Wanted, But Badly Needed: Colorado Snow, Major Gulf Coast Rainfall

The southern portion of the steering winds is producing significant precipitation with plowable snow in Colorado yesterday and today and major rainfall potential along the Gulf Coast today (see Days 1-3 of the NWS WPC quantitative precipitation forecast). Any of that rain is crucial, since most of the Plains and Gulf Coast has been so short on rainfall through the winter (see US Drought Monitor). Much of the Plains and Gulf Coast were also much warmer than average through the winter (and notably hot in March). The heat in the South is expected to resume by the weekend (see last 5 days of NWS Heat Risk forecast). The big worry is that the possibility for major rainfall typically ends by the end of the spring in the southern and southwestern US, so there could be huge heat and wildfire potential this summer if these areas don't see major precipitation in May.

High Water Levels in Boundary Waters This Weekend

On the other hand, recent rain and the melting of the much heavier snow pack (set NWS NOHRSC gridded snowfall analysis to season accumulation) over northeastern Minnesota is still producing flooding in parts of the Boundary Waters. The flooding to the north of east of Ely is as bad as the near record levels seen both in 2022 and 2024 (see NWS Duluth advisory). The flood warning is expected to expire later today, but there will be some portages and low-lying trails that will remain under water for the fishing opener weekend. At the very least, there will be fast-moving and very cold water in lakes that aren't flooding, which will pose a problem if your boat capsizes.  

The St. Cloud April 2026 weather summary is now complete.