2026 Astronomical Spring Climate Summary

Upper Mississippi River Climate Summary for Astronomical Spring 2026:

Temperatures - Above Normal

During astronomical spring 2026, average temperatures ranged from 50.4°F near Owen, WI (COOP) to 58.8°F at Decorah, IA (COOP). Temperature anomalies were up to 5°F above normal. There was an 84°F difference between the warmest and coldest temperatures in the Upper Mississippi River Valley. The warmest temperature was 93°F at Fayette, IA (COOP) on June 7.  The coldest temperature was 9°F at Sparta Fort McCoy, WI (ASOS) on March 28.

Precipitation - Highly Variable

During astromical spring 2026, precipitation totals varied from 5.73" near Hayfield, MN (CoCoRaHS) to 19.47" near Muscoda, WI (CoCoRaHS). Precipitation anomalies ranged from 7" drier than normal to 7" wetter than normal. The highest one-day precipitation was 6.37" near Houston, MN (CoCoRaHS) from June 8 through June 9.

Snowfall - Highly Variable

During meteorological spring 2026, snowfall totals varied from 0" at numerous locations to 2.3" near Medford, WI (CoCoRaHS). Snowfall anomalies ranged from near normal to 2" above normal. The highest one-day snowfall was 1.1" near Medford, WI (CoCoRaHS) from April 2 through April 3.

Severe Weather -  Near to Above Average

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings - 2nd Most in Astronomical Spring During astronomical spring (March 20 through June 20), 124 severe thunderstorm warnings on 15 calendar days. Only 2017 had more with 134 severe thunderstorm warnings. This was above the 1986-2026 average of 50 warnings. The most on a calendar day was June 10. There were 30 warnings issued.
Tornado Warnings - Most in Meteorological Spring During astronomical spring (March 20 through June 20), 44 tornado warnings were issued on 8 calendar days. This was the most in an astronomical spring. The previous record was 26 in 2008. This was above the 1986-2026 average of 8 warnings. The most on a calendar day was April 17. There were 26 warnings issued.
Daily Breakdown of Severe Weather in Meteorological Spring - 15 days April 17 - 35 warnings (9 Severe Thunderstorm Warnings & 26 Tornado Warnings) June 10 - 31 warnings (30 Severe Thunderstorm Warnings & 1 Tornado Warning) April 13 - 30 warnings (24 Severe Thunderstorm Warnings & 6 Tornado Warnings) April 14 - 21 warnings (18 Severe Thunderstorm Warnings & 3 Tornado Warnings) May 15 - 10 warnings (8 Severe Thunderstorm Warnings & 2 Tornado Warnings) May 17 - 10 warnings (7 Severe Thunderstorm Warnings & 3 Tornado Warnings) June 5 - 9 warnings (7 Severe Thunderstorm Warnings & 2 Tornado Warnings) June 19 - 5 warnings (5 Severe Thunderstorm Warnings) April 23 - 4 warnings (4 Severe Thunderstorm Warnings) May 27 - 3 warnings (3 Severe Thunderstorm Warnings) March 31 - 2 warnings (2 Severe Thunderstorm Warnings) April 15 - 2 warnings (2 Severe Thunderstorm Warnings) April 27 - 2 warnings (1 Severe Thunderstorm Warning & 1 Tornado Warning) June 11 - 2 warnings (2 Severe Thunderstorm Warnings) May 26 - 1 warning (1 Severe Thunderstorm Warning) April 17 was the 4th largest outbreak on a calendar day with 35 warnings - Greatest since May 17, 2017 (3rd most) - Most 48 warnings on April 18, 2002 Most ever in April (94 warnings) - Previous record was 53 in 2002 2nd most ever in a month - Only June 1998 had more with 138 warnings.

Below are the Astronomical Spring 2026 climate summaries for La Crosse, WI, and Rochester, MN.

La Crosse, WI

Astronomical Spring 2026 was Slightly Wetter and Much Warmer than Normal in La Crosse, WI

During the astronomical spring of 2026, La Crosse Regional Airport was much warmer (57.7°F or 3.1°F warmer than average) and slightly wetter (10.47" or 0.21" wetter than average) than the long-term average (1873-2026). More details on these statistics can be found below.

Temperatures - Tied for the 14th Warmest with 1895 and 1921

• From March 20 through June 20, La Crosse Regional Airport had an average temperature of 57.7°F.
• This was 3.1°F warmer than the 1873-2026 long-term average of 54.6°F.
• This was tied with 1895 and 1921 for the 14th warmest astronomical spring.
• Below are the 20 warmest astronomical springs in La Crosse.

20 Warmest Astronomical
Springs in La Crosse WI
       1873-2026 

Rank   Avg. Temp   Year
----   ---------   ----
  1     59.8°F     2012
  2     59.7°F     1977
  3     59.5°F     1987
  4     59.4°F     1991
  5     59.2°F     2021
  6     59.0°F     1998
  7     58.8°F     2007
  8     58.2°F     2010
  9     58.1°F     1999
 10     57.9°F     1986
 11     57.8°F     2017
        57.8°F     1988
        57.8°F     1941
 14     57.7°F     2026
        57.7°F     1921
        57.7°F     1895
 17     57.4°F     2006
 18     57.3°F     1934
 19     57.2°F     1949
 20     57.1°F     1886

• It was the 12th consecutive spring to average warmer than average. This includes the 5th warmest (2021), tied for the 11th warmest (2017), tied for the 14th warmest (2026), 22nd warmest (2023), and the 25th warmest (2015).
• The average high temperature was 69°F. This was 4.2°F warmer than the long-term average of 64.8°F. This for the 12th warmest with 1999.
• The average low temperature was 46.4°F. This was 1.9°F warmer than the long-term average of 44.5°F. 
• The warmest high temperature was 90°F on May 26 and May 27. 
• The coldest high temperature was 38°F on April 2.
• The warmest low temperature was 70°F on June 10.
• The coldest low temperature was 19°F on March 28.
• There were 2 days in which the high temperature reached or exceeded 90°F. The long-term average is 2.4 days.
• There were 12 days in which the low temperature was 32°F or colder. The long-term average is 17.4 days. 

Precipitation - Slightly Wetter than Average

• From March 20 through June 20, La Crosse Regional Airport received 10.47" of precipitation.
• This was 0.21" wetter than the 1873-2026 long-term average of 10.26". 
• Measurable precipitation (0.01" or greater) fell on 32 days (34.4%), and a trace of precipitation fell on 15 days (16.1%). 
   
• Number of days with...
  • None              46 days (49.5%)
  • Trace             15 days (16.1%)
  • 0.01-0.09 inches  11 days (11.8%)
  • 0.10-0.24 inches  10 days (10.8%)
  • 0.25-0.49 inches   3 days ( 3.2%)
  • 0.50-0.99 inches   5 days ( 5.4%)
  • 1.00-1.99 inches   3 days ( 3.2%) 
• The wettest spring day was 1.33" on June 8. 

Snowfall - Below Average

• From March 20 through June 20, the snow observer near La Crosse Regional Airport measured just a trace of snow.
• This was 5.1" below the 1896-2026 long-term average of 5.1".
• This was tied with 29 other years for the 4th least. Only 1984, 1999, and 2010 had less with 0" of snow.
• The trace of snow fell on April 19. 

Snow Depth - Below Average 

• From March 20 through June 20, the average snow depth near La Crosse Regional Airport was 0". This was 0.1" below the 1893-2026 long-term average of 0.1".
• The greatest snow depth was 2" on March 20.
• Number of days with...
  • No snow       92 Days (98.9%)
  • Trace          0 Days ( 0.0%)
  • 1-3 inches     1 Days ( 1.1%) 

Mississippi River at La Crosse, WI - Below Average

Average 7 am stage for astronomical spring was 6.39 feet. This was 1.18 feet below the 1937-2026 average of 7.57 feet. The lowest 7 am stage was 4.87 feet on June 5. The lowest astronomical spring 7 am stage was 4 feet on May 18, 1946. The highest 7 am stage was 9.02 feet on April 18. The highest astronomical spring 7 am stage was 17.68 feet on April 22, 1965.

Rochester, MN
 

Astronomical Spring 2026 was Much Warmer and Drier than Average at Rochester, MN
 

During the astronomical spring of 2026, temperatures averaged much warmer than average (55.2°F or 2.9°F warmer than average) and drier than average (7.43" or 2.94" drier than average) at Rochester International Airport.  More details on these statistics can be found below.

Temperatures - Warmer than Average

• From March 20 through June 20, Rochester International Airport had an average temperature of 55.2°F.
• This was 2.9°F warmer than the 1886-2026 long-term average of 52.3°F.
• This was the 12th warmest.
• Below are the 20 warmest astronomical springs in Rochester, MN.

20 Warmest Astronomical
Springs in Rochester MN
       1886-2026 

Rank   Avg. Temp   Year
----   ---------   ----
  1     59.0°F     2012
  2     57.9°F     1977
  3     57.0°F     1987
  4     56.6°F     2010
  5     56.4°F     2007
  6     56.1°F     1991
  7     55.7°F     2006
  8     55.6°F     1911
  9     55.5°F     1941
 10     55.4°F     2021
 11     55.3°F     1998
 12     55.2°F     2026
 13     55.1°F     1949
 14     54.8°F     1934
 15     54.6°F     1976
        54.6°F     1887
 17     54.5°F     1959
        54.5°F     1955
 19     54.4°F     2017
 20     54.3°F     1985

• The average high temperature was 66.1°F. This was 3.2°F warmer than the long-term average of 62.9°F. This is the 18th warmest.
•  The average low temperature was 44.3°F. This was 2.6°F warmer than the long-term average of 41.7°F. This is tied with 2016 for the 16th warmest.
• The warmest high temperature was 88°F on May 26. 
• The coldest high temperature was 35°F on April 2.
• The warmest low temperature was 67°F on June 9 and June 10.
• The coldest low temperature was 17°F on March 28.
• There were 0 days in which the high temperature reached or exceeded 90°F. The long-term average is 1.9 days.
• There were 19 days in which the low temperature was 32°F or colder. The long-term average is 23.6 days.  

Precipitation - Much Drier than Average

• From March 20 through June 20, Rochester International Airport received 7.43" of precipitation.
• This was 2.94" drier than the long-term average of 10.36".
• This was the 18th driest astronomical spring and the driest since 2021 when 5.68" of precipitation fell (5.68" - 5th driest).
• Measurable precipitation (0.01 inches or greater) fell on 35 days (37.6%), and a trace of precipitation fell on 9 days (9.7%).  

• Number of days with...
  • None              49 days (52.7%)
  • Trace              9 days ( 9.7%)
  • 0.01-0.09 inches  20 days (21.5%)
  • 0.10-0.24 inches   6 days ( 6.5)
  • 0.25-0.49 inches   5 days ( 5.4%)
  • 0.50-0.99 inches   2 days ( 2.2%)
  • 1.00-1.99 inches   2 days ( 2.2%) 
• The wettest spring day was 1.24" on April 3. 

Snowfall - Tied for the least with 12 other years

• From March 20 through June 20, the snow observer near Rochester International Airport measured a trace of snow.
• This was 6.7" below the long-term average of 6.7".
• This is tied with 12 other years for the least. They include: 1941, 1943, 1946, 1948, 1958, 1998, 1999, 2004, 2010, 2012, 2017, and 2021.
• Measurable snow (0.1" or greater) fell on 0 days (0.0%), and a trace of snow fell on 2 days (2.2%). 
   
• Number of days with...
  • No snow           91 Days (97.8%)
  • Trace              2 Days ( 2.2%)
• The traces of snow fell on April 4 and April 19.

Snow Depth - Tied for Least

• From March 20 through June 20, the average snow depth near Rochester International Airport was 0".
• This was 0.3" below the long-term average of 0.3".
• This was tied for least with 19 other years.
  ​
• Number of days with...
  • No snow       92 Days (98.9%)
  • Trace          0 Days ( 0.0%)
  • 1-3 inches     1 Days ( 1.1%)

The greatest snow depth was 3" on March 20.