August and Summer 2026 Saint Cloud Weather Summary

Driest August to August in 92 Years

Saint Cloud, MN, August and Meteorological Summer (June 1-August 31) 2026 Weather Summary

The dry conditions during the growing season intensified during August 2026. The St. Cloud Sky Central Airport only picked up 1.27 inch of rain, nearly two and three-quarters inches below average. During August, the Minnesota showers and thunderstorms were frequent, but especially spotty, so parts of northern, west central, and south central Minnesota had over 5 inches of rain (see red NWS Water Prediction Services Minnesota precipitation map to the month of August), but parts of central Minnesota to the west and south of St. Cloud had less than an inch (green or blue areas), including Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, which picked up only 0.47 inch, the 4th driest August on record.  

That rain shortage led to the following rainfall deficits, including the driest August to August period since 1933-1934, 92 years ago.

Dry Streaks Continued from Last August

The extremely dry conditions were produced by the combination of two seasonal dry spells. This year, the dry growing season (April through August) has produced more than a 5-inch shortfall. That's on top of last year's dry August through November, which produced more than a 4-inch shortfall (see details on the Minnesota DNR Monthly Precipitation Anomaly Tool, when you click on St. Cloud). While St. Cloud has had a large precipitation deficit during the growing season (see red areas when you set the NWS Water Prediction Service Minnesota Rainfall map to yesterday's date, departure from average, and the period to last 120 days), there have been even larger deficits elsewhere (brightest red on the Minnesota DNR departure from normal precipitation map; scroll to bottom map). That's why the Red River Valley, southwestern Minnesota, the Duluth area, and the Twin Cities to Hastings have the red areas (D3 drought conditions) on the latest US Drought Monitor.

The dry conditions have already taken their toll on the foliage, since some trees have already turned to yellow. Typically, dry conditions lead to duller foliage. The Minnesota DNR has a fall colors page upon which you can track the foliage reports over the next two months.

Frequent Scattered Storms Often Missed

The St. Cloud Sky Central Airport only picked up measurable rainfall on 8 days, tying 2023 for the fewest August precipitation days since 2008 and 2013 (5 days each). 1913, 1921, and 1943 have the record with no measurable August precipitation. During July and August combined, St. Cloud had only 14 days with measurable precipitation, tying 2013 for the 19th fewest July-August precipitation days. 1920 has the record with no measurable precipitation in either July or August. 

Warmer Than Average August, But No Additional 90's

The effect of the dryness has been intensified by the warmer than average conditions. In August 2026, the St. Cloud Sky Central Airport averaged 69.6 degrees (average high: 81.9 degrees; average low: 57.4 degrees), 1.9 degrees above average. That ranks as the 44th warmest August of the 131 Augusts in St. Cloud records. For the entire summer (Jun 1-Aug 31), St. Cloud had an average temperature of 70.8 degrees (average high: 82.5 degrees, average low: 59.0 degrees), 2.8 degrees above average, mainly on the strength of the 9th warmest July. The summer ranks as the 19th warmest in St. Cloud records.

During the first 8 months of 2026, St. Cloud has averaged 47.5 degrees, 2.7 degrees warmer than average. That ranks as the 12th warmest January-August period in St. Cloud records.

For much of August, St. Cloud and most of Minnesota have been on the fringe of the hottest temperatures in the Central and Southern Plains and within the Intermountain Region. However, St. Cloud was not frequently within the hottest air. There wasn't a single 90-degree high in St. Cloud during August, matching June. 13 of the 15 90-degree highs this warm season were recorded during July, including two 6-day streaks of 90-degree highs. The only other 90-degree highs were set on May 27 and September 3. That has been typical of recent warm years. Much of the warmth has occurred outside of the summer months.

The 15 90-degree highs are above the St. Cloud average of 11.4 days. The warmest high temperature so far this year was 97 degrees on July 26 and 27. That's only the 24th and 25th days with a high of at least 97 degrees since 1988.

Some of the persistent humidity from June and July did ease at times in August. There were 4 clear and calm mornings in the drier air, allowing 4 lows cooler than 50 degrees, matching the June count. The coolest low was still the 43 degrees on June 15.

There were no additional lows of at least 70 degrees in August, but the 4 days set in June and July rank above the average of 3 days.

Less Severe Weather, More Fires Due to Dryness

The overall effect of the heat and humidity has been fewer than average outbreaks of severe weather, but also some major fire problems, especially in northeastern Minnesota. The combination of the wildfires in the Boundary Waters and those in northwestern Ontario led to the worst smoke conditions in the US in mid-July. That's on top of the smoke problems in May.

The dry conditions also meant that severe weather reports have been below average (set state to Minnesota on the NWS Storm Prediction Center Preliminary Storm Reports). Over the past 30 years, 46 Minnesota tornadoes were recorded during the average year.

El Nino Underway So Mild Winter Likely

The warm current of water in the tropical Pacific known as El Nino has now developed. This phenomenon has already led to a parade of hurricanes in the eastern Pacific, including current Hurricane Maria (see spiral area of clouds in the tropical eastern Pacific on the College of DuPage North America clean infrared satellite loop) and Tropical Storm Karina (blob of clouds on west edge of satellite). On the other hand, the strong winds created by the frequent thunderstorms over the warm water has kept the number of Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea hurricanes down.

The main effect on Minnesota weather seen from strong El Nino events is the tendency to have milder than average winters. That doesn't mean every El Nino winter has above average temperatures or that we can't have any cold spells, but it increases the odds for a mild winter.

The snowfall total is more uncertain. The average for seasonal snowfall is lower during an El Nino year than a non-El Nino year (see Minnesota DNR report on average El Nino conditions), but the Halloween Blizzard of 1991 occurred during an El Nino year. So, we are less certain about snowfall. 

These averages do not address the transition period during the fall. The above average sea surface temperatures seen around the world will likely continue the trend of very warm global temperatures, but that doesn't address the local possibilities. Everything before this paragraph means that we badly need more rain, especially when crop and plant use drops.

August 2026 Statistics

Last Update: 6 September 2026