St. Cloud, MN Weather Forecast

March 2026 Produces More Warm Than Cold

Despite the computer problems of the past week, I finished the March 2026 St. Cloud weather summary. The precipitation and snowfall continued to be a bit lower than average, although our early April precipitation (light green when you set the NWS Water Prediction Service observed precipitation map to yesterday's date and the last 5 days time period) has been important. 

However, I have found that the up-and-down temperatures produced a March averaging more than 5 degrees above normal. The average of February and March combined ended up as St. Cloud's 7th warmest Feb-March average of the 143 Feb-March periods on record. 

Cold or Warm? Weather Can't Make Up Its Mind (Neither Can My Family's Internal Thermostat)

The alternation between very warm and very cold weather is continuing. My wife, Janet, who tends to dress in sweaters and robes indoors, has already complained about how cold it was yesterday (high of 36) and early this morning (clear, and calm, allowing temperatures to drop into the teens with a few single digits possible by sunrise; see NWS Aviation Weather Center METAR map). Of course, Janet and I are compatible since I wear shorts inside, so I function as the space heater.

The alternation between above freezing temperatures during the day and below freezing temperatures at night are good for the maple sap run. However, I hear the comments: most of you would prefer a return to the warmer periods seen during March (2 highs over 70's; 4th highest March total). That will happen, but the new forecast information has limited that shot at 70 to Sunday (60's Monday?). 

Not Quite as Cool Today; Modest Warming and Few Showers Tomorrow

In the meantime, we will have a brief shot at milder air on Wednesday, although a storm system may hang up the warm front to the south of central Minnesota. Today, we will have highs return to the 40's after the chilly start.

There will be increasing high clouds as the day goes on and a lot of clouds tonight and tomorrow. Central Minnesota will have a 1 in 3 shot at a rain shower tonight and a 50-50 chance tomorrow. Any showers likely won't produce a lot of rain here (see Days 1-2 of the NWS WPC quantitative precipitation forecast), but northern Minnesota could have a better chance of precipitation. Some of those showers could fall as freezing rain late tonight or late tomorrow (set precipitation type to freezing rain and time tab to 00 UTC Thurs., 7 PM CDT Wed., on the NWS WPC probabilistic winter precipitation guidance). Our best chance for a milder than average high in the 50's will come tomorrow afternoon, but any shot at 60 will depend on whether we can get some midday and afternoon sunshine. I'm not as optimistic about that chance as I was yesterday. 

Cooler Thursday; Back to Average Warmth Friday

That warm air will temporarily get swept out of central Minnesota Wednesday night and Thursday, so highs will return to the 40's. Friday should have a return to at least average highs in the 50's.

Warmer Weekend, But More Shower Chances in Forecast Saturday

The weekend has the potential for even warmer temperatures (60's? 70's?), but how warm when will depend on how quickly the cooler air from Thursday gets scoured out. That doubt focuses around Saturday into Saturday evening, since the warm front could get hung up in Minnesota, increasing the clouds and also the chance for a few showers (1 in 3 chance, better in northern Minnesota). So, I am holding the Saturday high to the upper 50's, maybe the lower 60's. There could be more showers and even a thunderstorm Saturday night (50-50 chance) into early Sunday (see Days 4-5 of the NWS WPC quantitative precipitation forecast), but I still have hopes for a high around 70 on Sunday.

Important Precipitation Potential Sunday Night Through Tuesday

What we need the most is rainfall. And, the weather pattern is expected to shift over the weekend. The steering winds will change from the current northwest-to-southeast (see College of DuPage North America mid-troposphere water vapor loop) to southwest-to-northeast. That change in steering winds will grab of pair of Pacific storm systems, one in the eastern Pacific west of California and the other over southwestern Alaska (see Pacific mid-troposphere water vapor loop from Colorado State satellite slider), will move through the Intermountain West and head northeastward. 

The chances for precipitation look pretty good for the start of next week (see Days 6-7 of the NWS WPC quantitative precipitation forecast) with showers and thunderstorms quite likely on Monday. However, the second storm will tap a bit of the colder air to the north, so there is the possibility of seeing some frozen precipitation on Tuesday (see Day 7 panel of the NWS WPC Days 4-7 winter weather outlook). It certainly looks like temperatures will revert to near average or even colder than average levels from Tuesday into the middle of next week. 

Despite Recent Coolness, Ice Out Progressing

Another sign of spring is timing for ice out in Minnesota lakes. As you can see from the Minnesota DNR ice out map, many southern Minnesota lakes and a few in central Minnesota are now ice-free, including Middle Watab Lake and Pearl Lake in the St. Cloud area. The warmer weather during the weekend and the potential warm rain early next week will help melt more lake ice.