April 2025 Saint Cloud Weather Summary

Rainfall Increases in April, But More Needed Especially in W Central and Northwest Minnesota

After the dry fall, much of Minnesota came into the growing season needing rainfall (set US Drought Monitor Comparison to April 29 and March 25). Some parts of Minnesota got major relief during April (set month to April on the NWS Water Prediction Center Minnesota map), mainly much of southern and especially southeastern Minnesota, and north central to northeastern Minnesota (more than 4 inches, tan areas). However, much of west central and northwestern Minnesota were missed. The St. Cloud Regional Airport did better than some parts of Minnesota with 2.44 inches of April rain. That was still 0.17 inch below average and well short of April 2024 (5.51 inches; 6th wettest April on record). In fact, last April's rainfall was nearly the same as the 2025 total rainfall through the end of April (5.52 inches, 0.09 inch below average).

The significant rainfall came in two major storm periods: April 1-3, which produced 6.0 inches of snow in St. Cloud, and April 28, which tied April 2 with 0.66 inch. However, the widely scattered severe thunderstorms that came during the afternoon of April 28 hit the St. Cloud Regional Airport, but missed most of the city of St. Cloud and the St. Cloud region. Note that St. Cloud State University picked up only 1.93 inches of April rain. The April 28 afternoon storms produced large hail near Clearwater, Luxenburg, and Santiago, part of the severe weather outbreak that hit southern Minnesota.

This precipitation did provide some improvement in the drought conditions (set US Drought Monitor Comparison to April 29 and March 25), but more precipitation is needed. The dry period from September 2024 through April 2025 only produced 9.60 inches at the St. Cloud Regional Airport

Parts of central Minnesota still have well below average streamflow (see Minnesota DNR Weekly Streamflow April 27, 2025), despite the late April rain. And, any warm, breezy, and dry day was still producing elevated fire danger in parts of Minnesota where greening hadn't occurred.

Early April Snow Storm Pushed St. Cloud Away from 20 Cold Seasons With Least Snow

Yes, the 6.0 inches of snow during the first three days of April pushed the St. Cloud State University snowfall to an above April average (1.3 inches above average). April 2025 was the 22nd snowiest April on record and the snowiest since 2018 (14.8 inches; 4th snowiest April). Note that 5 of the 10 snowiest Aprils have occurred since 2002. Similar to the 2023-2024 cold season, the 2024-2025 snow season remained well below average (total of 34.4 inches, 13.5 inches below average), but climbed significantly due to the late season snow.

The early April snow pushed the total cold season days with at least an inch on the ground to 63, well below the 100 day average. Only 23 of those days were consecutive, during a streak that covered most of February. During the average winter, St. Cloud has 86 consecutive days with at least an inch of snow cover.

Milder Than Average Temperatures

St. Cloud's April temperature continued the mild trend seen for every month except March since May 2023. The average temperature was 45.8 degrees (avg. high 56.2 degrees, avg. low 33.8 degrees), 1.7 degrees above average. That ranks as the 45th mildest April of the 133 Aprils in St. Cloud records). St. Cloud added 4 more days with a high of at least 70, after again posting one of the 10 earliest first occurrences of 60 degrees and 70 degrees in March. But, the temperature was no higher than the March 14 73 degree high. Low temperatures dropped below freezing 15 times during April, frequently during any drier air mass outbreak.

The overall cool season average (October through April) was 31.0 degrees, 4.0 degrees above avg (15th warmest, mostly on the strength of warmest fall on record).

Oct-April temperature average: 31.0 degrees, 4.0 degrees above avg (15th warmest, mostly on the strength of warmest fall on record)

Are We Done With Winter Weather for the Season?

Is the winter weather finally over for the season? May does have a measurable snowfall average of 0.1 inch. However, the only Mays with measurable snowfall since 1980 are 0.1 inch in 2005, 1.0 inch in 2017, and 0.6 inch in 2019. There was a huge snowstorm in southern Minnesota during May 1-3, 2013, but the snow missed St. Cloud. The rain during the past week cleared out before any cooler temperatures built in, so the chances for a May snowfall don't appear to be good. The latest snowfall in St. Cloud records fell on May 23, 1925 (0.2 inch). The latest inch in St. Cloud was 3.2 inch May 19, 1971.

However, it's still a bit early to get the delicate plants in. Several of our recent dry air masses have had dew points in the 30's or even the 20's, despite high temperatures being at least in the 50's. So, there is still the potential that a clear, calm night could produce a near freezing low at least for a while. This situation is more likely in the drier areas of Minnesota where the surface moisture is lower. The average date of St. Cloud's last frost is May 7.

April 2025 Statistics