Thursday, March 19, 2026 1:18 AM 

Prepared by Bob Weisman, SCSU Meteorologist and Professor Emeritus

More Reliable Forecast of Late Week Warmth

The big warm-up from the weekend snow and Tuesday's sub-zero low (see 7-day graph of St. Cloud temperatures from MesoWest), the 32nd of the cold season so far, is well underway. High temperatures climbed well into the 40's yesterday (see 18Z-21Z, 1-4 PM, on the NWS Aviation Weather Center METAR map). Since there hadn't much Tuesday snow melt, we didn't have early fog problems, so the temperatures responded. Still, the really toasty air brought down off the eastern slopes of the Rockies is to our west (see yesterday's 4 PM NWS WPC North America zoom-in map).

That warm front (red line with semi-circles) will push into Minnesota early tomorrow, so the warmest temperatures are likely to be Friday (highs well into the 50's to perhaps 60) and Saturday (highs well into the 60's to perhaps 70). That won't be warm enough to break record highs (Saturday, 75 degrees,  has the warmest record of the next 3 days), but will feel nice and get rid of most of the remain snow cover in Minnesota (see NWS NOHRSC snow depth chart). 

The main forecast question is today and tonight. There aren't any deep clouds around central Minnesota early this morning (see College of DuPage North America clean infrared satellite loop), but the light winds and yesterday's melting snow have moistened the atmosphere enough to produce some areas of dense fog across central Minnesota (see weather symbol of horizontal lines with low, visibility number, to its left on the NWS Aviation Weather Center METAR map). This fog could hang around central Minnesota through mid-morning, which could knock today's high temperature down a couple of degrees from yesterday. And, we could see fog reform early this evening before the warm front comes through. After the front passes, however, drier air from the southern Canadian Prairie Provinces will move in, allowing our temperature jump for Friday and Saturday.

Minnesota will remain near the main storm track, so there will be frequent weather systems. The cycle of warm air masses and cooler air masses will continue with the next shot of cooler air due on Sunday. Lows will remain in the mild upper 30's Saturday night, but Sunday's high will have trouble getting beyond 40. Seasonable low 40's highs will be around for Monday, but more alternation between warm and cold is possible next week. For now, there isn't that much precipitation threat.

Detailed St. Cloud, MN, and Vicinity Forecast

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

Thursday 3/19/2026: Low clouds and areas of fog through mid-morning, some midday and afternoon sun. Continued mild. High: between 45 and 50. Winds: SE-S 5-10 MPH. Chance of measurable rainfall: 10%.

Thursday Night: Areas of dense fog possible during the evening. A slight chance for a late night sprinkle. Low: between 35 and 40. Winds: SW 5-10 MPH evening, becoming WNW 5-10 MPH late. Chance of measurable rainfall: 10%. 

Friday 3/20/2026: Becoming partly sunny and warmer. High: between 52 and 58. Winds: NW 5-10 MPH. 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"  

Friday Night: Partly clear with light winds. Maybe some late night fog. Continued unseasonably mild. Low: between 35 and 40. Winds: SE 5 MPH. Chance of measurable rainfall: 10%. 

Saturday 3/21/2026: Partly sunny, breezy, and much warmer. High: between 65 and 70. Winds: SE 5-15 MPH. Chance of measurable rainfall: 10%. 

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

Saturday Night: Cloudy and windy, but still mild. A slight chance for a rain shower. Low: between 38 and 43. Winds: SE 5 MPH. Chance of measurable rainfall: 20%. 

Sunday 3/22/2026: Mixed sun and clouds, windy, and back to near average temperature. A chance for an early flurry or sprinkle. High: between 37 and 42. Winds: N-NW 15-25 MPH with higher gusts. Chance of measurable precipitation: 20%. 

Sunday Night: Clearing, breezy, and cooler. Low: between 25 and 30. Winds: NW 10-20 MPH evening, 8-15 MPH late. Chance of measurable snowfall: 10%. 

Monday 3/23/2026: Sunshine through high clouds and turning seasonably mild again. High: between 40 and 45. Winds: NW 5-10 MPH morning, SE 5-10 MPH afternoon. Chance of measurable precipitation: 20%. 

Extended: Frequent chances of uncertain precipitation early next week??? Roller coaster temperatures likely to continue???

Forecast Confidence (10 – "The Rabbits Will Thump Even Though I Fed Them"; 0 – "The Rabbits Will Offer To Groom My Bald Spot"): 7 Thursday and Thursday night, 6 Friday, 5 Friday night and Saturday, 3 Saturday night and Sunday, 2 Sunday night and Monday.     

Yesterday's High: 48°F; Overnight Low (through 1 AM Thursday): 32°F; 

St. Cloud Airport last 24-Hour Precipitation (through 2 AM Thursday): 0.02 inch melted; SCSU 24-Hour Precipitation (through 2 AM Thursday): TBA; 

March 19 Historic Data
Temperature Category High Low

Average Temperatures

 42°F 23°F

Record Temperatures

 78°F (2012) 59°F (2012)
15°F (1965) -12°F (1965)

Next Update: Friday, March 20, 2026 6 AM

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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!

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