Monday, March 23, 2026 1:20 AM 

Prepared by Bob Weisman, SCSU Meteorologist and Professor Emeritus

A Brief Average Temperature Visit Today Before More Warmth

Cooling from Near-Record Fri-Sat Warmth

After coming within 3 degrees of Friday's record high and 2 degrees of Saturday's record high (see NWS Twin Cities graph of St. Cloud March high and low temperatures), cooler air moved in yesterday, and we had quite a few daytime clouds (see College of DuPage north central US shortwave infrared satellite loop), and even a couple of spits of morning sprinkles, so afternoon highs were only in the 30's (see yesterday's NWS WPC 4 PM CDT North America zoom-in map).

More Heat in Southwest This Week.....

However, the general flow pattern continues to be west-to-east around the Southwest US high pressure (clockwise circulation on the College of DuPage North America mid-level water vapor loop) that has been producing the extreme heat (not quite as hot, but still 90's in the Southwest; see yesterday's NWS WPC 4 PM CDT North America zoom-in map). That high is expected to build northward again during the work week, creating more problems for the Southwest and even the Rio Grande Valley (see NWS Heat Risk forecast). That will put the Dakotas, Minnesota, and Iowa near the front separating the cooler air we have now from the much warmer air to the south (see developing front in eastern Montana on the latest NWS WPC North America zoom-in map).

...With Warmer Air Reaching Minnesota Tues-Wed

There will be another northward surge, allowing southern and parts of central Minnesota to get back into the warm air, with readings returning to the 50's tomorrow (60's in southern Minnesota) and to 60 or into the 60's Wednesday (some 70's again in southern Minnesota).

Significant Snow Chance Near the Border (or Even in Northern Minnesota)

However, the front will be stalled across northern and perhaps central Minnesota. That will put a chance of some precipitation somewhere either in northern Minnesota or across the Canadian border. As we get to the middle of the week, that precipitation chance will turn to snow with a chance of enough snow to shovel and plow by mid-week (see the most northern possible position of the colored area expand as you move the tab from 00 UTC Tues, 7 PM CDT Mon, to 00 UTC Wed, 7 PM CDT Tues, to 00 UTC Thurs, 7 PM CDT Wed on the NWS WPC probabilistic winter precipitation guidance). To the south of the snow area, there will be a chance for some mixture of rain, freezing rain, and snow, especially Wednesday night.

....But Merely a Few Showers in Central Minnesota Wed Nt-Thu

This front will push back to the south on Wednesday afternoon and evening. The timing of the front will determine how warm central Minnesota gets on Wednesday. Parts of central Minnesota will have a shot at some showers Wednesday night with that front. Right now, the temperatures are expected to be mild enough to produce light rain showers late Wednesday night or early Thursday, but there is a small chance of some frozen precipitation as well.

Cooler End of Week, but Even Stronger Warming Weekend Into Next Week

The main effect will be cooling for Thursday. Morning temperatures could climb into the 40's, but they will fall back to the 30's during the afternoon. It will be quite breezy again.  The cooler spell will hang on for Thursday night (lows in the 20's, maybe even near 20) and Friday (highs near 40). Still, expect another weekend surge of the warmer air and that warmth could hang around longer through the first part of next week. Since the warm air will be pulled down the eastern slopes of the Rockies, there isn't any day with a good chance for significant precipitation into next week (see NWS WPC quantitative precipitation forecast). 

Detailed St. Cloud, MN, and Vicinity Forecast


Confidence Level (high): "The Bugs Are Waiting for Me to Mow the Lawn"

Monday 3/23/2026: Sunshine through thickening high clouds, breezy, and turning seasonably mild again. High: between 43 and 48. Winds: S 5 MPH morning, S 10-25 MPH afternoon. Chance of measurable rainfall: 10%. 

Monday Night: Cloudy with a slight chance for an evening sprinkle. Then, partly clear late at night with perhaps some fog by morning. Low: between 33 and 38. Winds: SW 8-15 MPH evening, 5 MPH late. Chance of measurable rainfall: 20%. 

Tuesday 3/24/2026: Perhaps some early fog, then mixed sun and clouds, light winds, and even milder. High: between 52 and 57. Winds: SE 5-15 MPH. Chance of measurable rainfall: 10%. 

Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy with light winds and continued mild. Maybe some late night fog. Low: between 35 and 40. Winds: S 5 MPH, becoming variable late. Chance of measurable rainfall: 10%. 


Confidence Level (medium): "Extra Bugs Will Come from Every House on My Block to Make a Cloud Around My Head"  

Wednesday 3/25/2026: Mixed sun and clouds and warmer. High: between 57 and 63. Winds: SW 5 MPH early, becoming NE 5-15 MPH during the afternoon. Chance of measurable rainfall: 10%. 


Confidence Level (low): "Enough Bugs Will Fly into My Mouth to Throw Off My Diet"   

Wednesday Night: Clouding up, breezy, and mild with a chance for a late night rain shower. Low: between 35 and 40. Winds: NE-N 5-15 MPH. Chance of measurable rainfall: 30%. 

Thursday 3/26/2026: Mostly cloudy, turning windy, and cooler with a chance for mainly morning rain showers. High: between 42 and 47, falling into the 30's during the afternoon. Winds: N-NW 15-25 MPH with higher gustsChance of measurable rainfall: 30%. 

Thursday Night: Partly clear, windy, and turning cooler. Low: between 22 and 27. Winds: NW 10-20 MPH. Chance of measurable snowfall: 10%.  

Friday 3/27/2026: Becoming sunny, still breezy, and cooler. High: between 37 and 42. Winds: NW 8-15 MPH. Chance of measurable precipitation: 10%. 

Extended: Turning warmer again next weekend (highs at least in the 50's) into early next week??? Not much chance for significant precipitation???

Forecast Confidence (10 – "The Rabbits Will Thump Even Though I Fed Them"; 0 – "The Rabbits Will Offer To Groom My Bald Spot"): 7 Monday, 6 Monday night, 7 Tuesday, 6 Tuesday night, 4 Wednesday, 3 Wednesday night, 2 Thursday, 3 Thursday night and Friday, 3 Weekend.     

Yesterday's High: 41°F (set at midnight Saturday night); Yesterday's Daytime High: 36°F; Overnight Low (through 1 AM Monday): 23°F; 

St. Cloud Airport last 24-Hour Precipitation (through 1 AM Monday): None; SCSU 24-Hour Precipitation (through 1 AM Monday): Trace

March 23 Historic Data
Temperature Category High Low

Average Temperatures

44°F 25°F

Record Temperatures

81°F (1910) 52°F (2012)
5°F (1974) -16°F (1965)

Next Update: Tuesday, March 24, 2026 6 AM

Links

Comments

Let me know what you think about this forecast and discussion by emailing SCSU meteorology professor Bob Weisman. Please note that I make the forecast, not the weather!

Learn Meteorology: Visit Our Department

Are you interested in studying meteorology? If so, go to the Atmospheric and Earth Sciences Department home page.