Wednesday, February 25, 2026  2:00 AM 

Prepared by Bob Weisman, SCSU Meteorologist and Professor Emeritus

Finishing February With Bare Ground

Who Has Received Too Much and Too Little Snow This Winter

As the clean-up continues in the Mid-Atlantic and the Northeast, the area with as much seasonal snowfall as Minnesota extends to Ohio and interior Delaware (set to seasonal accumulation on the NWS NOHRSC national gridded snowfall analysis). You can also see the western Rockies areas of snow drought in western Colorado, much of Utah, and Nevada, which covers most of the Colorado River drainage basin. That has the potential to cause big problems this summer.

Meanwhile, St. Cloud has 30.7 inches for the season so far. The final total from Hovland in last week's snowstorm is 40.4 inches, nearly 10 inches more than we have picked up all cold season.

Precipitation Threat Small for the Next 7 Days

And, we actually had some freezing rain showers yesterday morning in central Minnesota (see NWS: last 72 hours of St. Cloud observations). The precipitation fell as snow further to the north with more than an inch in Duluth.

The potential for new snowfall over the next 7 days is quite small (see NWS WPC quantitative precipitation forecast) with perhaps a few flurries tonight when the next wave of milder air tries to push out today's slightly colder than average air. There is only a chance for between a dusting and 2 inches tonight into early tomorrow morning in northeastern Minnesota (set tab to 00 UTC Fri., 6 PM Thurs., on the NWS WPC probabilistic winter precipitation guidance).

Otherwise, there's only a slight chance for light snow or flurries during the following push of cold air due Friday night and Saturday (see Days 3-5 NWS WPC quantitative precipitation forecast).

Don't Dress Like Yesterday Temperatures Continue into Next Week

Our up-and-down temperatures will hit the bottom today as early morning temperatures are headed for the plus single digits (see NWS Aviation Weather Center METAR map) with wind chills perhaps getting to -10 (see NWS Minnesota hourly weather round-up). Highs will only return to about 20 degrees, which is 5-10 degrees colder than the late February average.

But, our next milder period will begin tonight (evening temperatures in the lower teens, but climbing to near 20 by the early morning hours) and continue through Friday. Highs will get close to 40 degrees tomorrow and climb into the 40's on Friday.

The next wave of cooler air will push in Friday night, as temperatures will fall back to the teens with near zero wind chills by early Saturday. Temperatures will only be able to recover to the upper teens to near 20 during the afternoon. Sunday will have wind chills near -10 in the morning and temperatures in the 20's during the afternoon.

The following milder air surge will move in for Monday with highs at least in the 30's. We will remain near the transition zone between colder than average and milder than average air for much of next week, so that will make day-to-day forecasting difficult. 

Detailed St. Cloud, MN, and Vicinity Forecast

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

Wednesday 2/25/2026: Becoming sunny, not quite as windy, and colder. High: between 18 and 23. Winds: NW 8-15 MPH. Chance of measurable snowfall: 10%. 

Wednesday Night: Clouding up with a slight chance for light snow or flurries late at night. Not as cold. Low: between 8 and 15, then rising late at night to near 20. Winds: SW 5 MPH during the evening, S 5-10 MPH during the early morning hours. Chance of measurable snowfall: 20%.

Thursday 2/26/2026: Perhaps an early flurry, then becoming partly sunny, breezy, and milder. High: between 38 and 43. Winds: SW 8-15 MPH. Chance of measurable snowfall: 20%.

Thursday Night: Partly cloudy and milder. Low: between 25 and 30. Winds: SW 5 MPH. Chance of measurable snowfall: 10%.

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

Friday 2/27/2026: Sunshine mixed with high clouds, turning blustery, and milder. High: between 42 and 47. Winds: W 5-15 MPH early during the morning, NW 15-30 MPH with higher gusts midday and afternoon. Chance of measurable snowfall: 10%.

Friday Night: Cloudy, breezy, and colder. Maybe a flurry. Low: between 12 and 17. Winds: NW 10-20 MPH. Wind chill: near 0. Chance of measurable snowfall: 20%.

Saturday 2/28/2026: Cloudy with a chance for flurries during the morning, partly sunny during the afternoon, breezy, and colder. High: between 15 and 20. Winds: NW 10-20 MPH. Chance of measurable snowfall: 20%.

Saturday Night: Partly clear, diminishing wind, and colder. Low: between 2 and 7. Winds: NW 5-10 MPH evening, 5 MPH late at night. Wind chill: between -10 and 0. Chance of measurable snowfall: 10%.

Sunday 3/1/2026: Mixed clouds and sun, light winds, and not quite as cold. High: between 20 and 25. Winds: SE 5-15 MPH. Chance of measurable snowfall: 10%.

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

Extended: Milder on Monday?? Uncertain beyond Monday???

Forecast Confidence (10 – "The Rabbits Will Thump Even Though I Fed Them"; 0 – "The Rabbits Will Offer To Groom My Bald Spot"): 8 Wednesday, 7 Wednesday night and Thursday, 6 Thursday night, 4 Friday, 5 Friday night through Sunday, 3 Monday. 

Yesterday's Daytime High: 35°F; Overnight Low (through 2 AM Wednesday): 12°F; 

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

Next Update: Thursday, February 26, 2026 6 AM

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!

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