2026 Meteorological Spring Climate Summary

Upper Mississippi River Climate Summary for Meteorological Spring 2026:

Temperatures - Near Normal

During meteorological spring 2026, average temperatures ranged from 43°F near Owen, WI (COOP) to 52.4°F at Decorah, IA (COOP). Temperature anomalies ranged from 1°F to 4°F above normal. There was a 105°F difference between the warmest and coldest temperatures in the Upper Mississippi River Valley. The warmest temperature was 92°F at Black River Falls (RAWS) on May 26.  The coldest temperature was -13°F at Theilman, MN on March 18.

Precipitation - Highly Variable

During meteorological spring 2026, precipitation totals varied from 6.23" near Hayfield, MN (CoCoRaHS) to 21.45" near Muscoda, WI (CoCoRaHS). Precipitation anomalies ranged from 4" drier than normal to 7" wetter than normal. The highest one-day precipitation was 4.46" near Decroah, IA (CoCoRaHS) from April 3 through April 4.

Snowfall - Highly Variable

During meteorological spring 2026, snowfall totals varied from 1.5" in Charles City, IA (COOP) to 19.3" near Theilman, MN (COOP). Precipitation anomalies ranged from 6" below normal to 9" above normal. The highest one-day precipitation was 18" near Colby, WI (CoCoRaHS) and Wabasha. MN (CoCoRaHS) from March14 through March 15.

Severe Weather -  Near to Above Average

Severe Thunderstorm Warnngs - Above Normal  During meteorological spring, 80 warnings on 12 days. This was above the 1986-2026 average of 33 warnings. The most on a calendar day was April 13 when 24 warnings were issued. During March, there were 3 warnings issued on 2 days. This was tied for the 7th most with 1988, 1990, 1991, 2012, and 2020. 1986-2026 average is 2.3 warnings. During April, there were 58 warnings issued on 6 days. This was the most in an April. The previous record was 50 warnings in 2002. 1986-2026 average is 9.7 warnings. During May, there were 19 warnings issued on 4 days. 1986-2026 average is 21 warnings.
Tornado Warnings - Most in Meteorological Spring During meteorological spring, 41 warnings on 6 days. This was above the 1986-2026 average of 4.7 warnings. The most on a calendar day was April 17 when 26 warnings were issued. During March, there were 0 warnings. 1986-2026 average is 0.3 warnings. During April, there were 36 warnings issued on 4 days. This was the most in an April. The previous record was 7 warnings in 2011 and 2022. 1986-2026 average is 1.7 warnings. During May, there were 5 warnings issued on 2 days. This was tied for 10th most in May with 1998 and 2008. 1986-2026 average is 2.8 warnings.​
Daily Breakdown of Severe Weather in Meteorological Spring - 12 days April 17 - 35 warnings (9 Severe Thunderstorm Warnings & 26 Tornado Warnings) 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) 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) March 10 - 1 warning (1 Severe Thunderstorm Warning) 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 May 2026 climate summaries for La Crosse, WI, and Rochester, MN.

La Crosse, WI

Meteorological Spring 2026 was Drier and Much Warmer than Normal in La Crosse WI

The 2026 meteorological spring (March 1 through May 31) was tied for the 10th warmest with 1921 and 2016. More details on these statistics can be found below.

Temperatures - Tied for 10th Warmest

• From March 1st through May 31st, La Crosse Regional Airport had an average temperature of 50.7°F.
• This was 2°F warmer than 1991-2020 normal of 48.6°F. This was tied with 1921 and 2016 for the 10th warmest spring.
• The table below lists the 20 warmest meteorological springs for La Crosse, WI.

Warmest Meteorological Springs
    for La Crosse, WI
        1873-2026
         
Rank    Avg Temp    Year
----    --------    ----
  1      54.7°F     2012
  2      53.9°F     1977
  3      52.0°F     2010
         52.0°F     1878
  5      51.9°F     1987
  6      51.4°F     1998
  7      51.3°F     1946
  8      51.1°F     2021
  9      50.9°F     2000
 10      50.7°F     2026
         50.7°F     2016
         50.7°F     1921
 13      50.6°F     2024
         50.6°F     1985
         50.6°F     1910
 15      50.5°F     1999
 16      50.3°F     2007
         50.3°F     1991
 18      50.1°F     1986
 19      50.0°F     1894
 20      49.8°F     2015
         49.8°F     2006

• 9 out of the 20 warmest springs have occurred since 2000. 8 out of the last 12 springs have been warmer than normal. 
• The table below contains the monthly temperatures and their departures from normal for the spring of 2026.

      Spring 2026 Temperatures
          in La Crosse WI 

             Average     Departure
   Month   Temperature  from Normal
   -----   -----------  -----------
   March      40.0°F      +4.2°F 
   April      51.2°F      +2.2°F
   May        60.6°F      -0.4°F 
 
   Spring     50.7°F      +2.1°F - Tied with 1921 and 2016
                                   for the 10th Warmest

• The average high temperature was 61.9°F. This was 2.8°F warmer than the 1991-2020 normal of 59.1°F. Tied with 2021 for the 7th warmest.
• The average low temperature was 39.4°F. This was +1.2°F warmer than the 1991-2020 normal of 38.2°F.
• The warmest high temperature was 90°F on May 26 and May 27.
• The coldest high temperature was 21°F on March 17.
• The warmest low temperature was 66°F on May 26. 
• The coldest low temperature was 3°F on March 17.
• Maximum Temperature <= 32 on 4 Days
• Maximum Temperature >= 90 on 2 Days 
• Minimum Temperature <= 32 on 28 Days
• Minimum Temperature <=  0 on  0 Days

Precipitation - Drier than Normal

• La Crosse Regional Airport received 8.59" of precipitation.
• This was 1.53" drier than the 1991-2020 spring normal of 10.12".
• The table below contains the monthly precipitation totals and their departures from normal for the spring of 2026.

        Spring 2026 Precipitation
             in La Crosse WI 

           Precipitation   Departure
   Month       Total      from Normal
   -----   -------------  -----------
   March    2.09 inches   +0.05 inches 
   April    5.32 inches   +1.57 inches - 13th Wettest
   May      1.18 inches   -3.15 inches - 10th Driest
 
   Spring   8.59 inches   -1.53 inches  

• The wettest day occurred on April 3 when 1.29" of precipitation fell.
• Since April 16 (second half of meteorological spring), only 2.34" of precipitation fell. This was the 11th driest. The driest occurred in 1934 when 0.98" of rain fell.
• Measurable precipitation fell on 32 days (34.8%) and trace amounts on another 15 days (16.3%).

Snowfall - Above Normal

• The snow observer near La Crosse Regional Airport recorded 12.1".
• This was 2.1" more than the 1991-2020 normal of 10.2".
• The table below contains the monthly snowfall totals and their departures from normal for the spring of 2026.

          Spring 2026 Snowfall
             in La Crosse WI 

             Snowfall      Departure
   Month       Total      from Normal
   -----   -------------  -----------
   March    12.1 inches   +4.8 inches 
   April       Trace      -2.9 inches
   May       0.0 inches    0.0 inches
 
   Spring  12.1 inches    +2.1 inches

• The snowiest day occurred on March 15 when 7.2" of snow fell.
• Measurable snow fell on 6 days (6.5%) and trace amounts on another 3 days (3.3%).
• Greatest snow depth was 9" on March 16-18.

Mississippi River at La Crosse, WI - Below Average

Average 7 am stage for meteorological spring was 6.47 feet. This was 0.85 feet below the 1937-2026 average of 7.32 feet. The lowest 7 am stage was 4.82 feet on March 3. The lowest April 7 am stage was 3.52 feet on March 9, 1938. The highest 7 am stage was 9.02 feet on April 18. The highest April 7 am stage was 17.68 feet on April 22, 1965.

Rochester, MN
 

Meteorological Spring 2026 was Drier and Much Warmer than Normal in Rochester, MN

The 2026 meteorological spring (March 1 through May 31) was unusually warm (tied with 2000 and 2024 for 9th warmest) and drier than normal for Rochester, MN.  More details on these statistics can be found below.

Temperatures - Tied with 2000 and 2024 for the 9th Warmest 

• From March 1st through May 31st, Rochester International Airport had an average temperature of 47.9°F.
• This was 3.1°F warmer than the 1991-2020 normal of 44.8°F. This was tied with 2000 and 2024 for the 9th warmest spring.
• The table below lists the 10 warmest meteorological springs for Rochester, MN.

Warmest Meteorological Springs
      in Rochester, MN
         1886-2026

          Average
Rank    Temperature    Year
----    -----------    ----
  1       53.8°F       2012
  2       52.1°F       1977
  3       50.1°F       2010
  4       49.3°F       1987
  5       48.8°F       1985
          48.8°F       1946
  7       48.1°F       2016
  8       48.0°F       2025
  9       47.9°F       2026
          47.9°F       2024
          47.9°F       2000

• The last 3 springs have been among the 10 warmest (2025 - 8th warmest, and 2024 and 2026 tied for the 10th warmest).
• 11 out of the 20 warmest meteorological springs have occurred since 2000. 
• The table below contains the monthly temperatures and their departures from normal for the spring of 2026.

      Spring 2026 Temperatures
          in Rochester MN 

             Average     Departure
   Month   Temperature  from Normal
   -----   -----------  -----------
   March      37.4°F      +5.7°F - 12th Warmest
   April      47.9°F      +2.7°F 
   May        58.6°F      +1.0°F 
 
   Spring     47.9°F      +3.1°F - Tied for 10th Warmest
                                   with 2000 and 2024

• The average high temperature was 58.6°F. This was 4.2°F warmer than the 1991-2020 normal of 54.4°F. This was the 11th warmest.
• The average low temperature was 37.3°F. This was 2.1°F warmer than the 1991-2020 normal of 35.2°F. This was the 11th warmest.
• The warmest high temperature was 88°F on May 26.
• The coldest high temperature was 18°F on March 16.
• The warmest low temperature was 65°F on May 26.
• The coldest low temperature was -3°F on March 17.
• Maximum Temperature <= 32 on 5 Days
• Maximum Temperature >= 90 on 0 Days 
• Minimum Temperature <= 32 on 34 Days
• Minimum Temperature <=  0 on  1 Days

Precipitation - Drier than Normal

• Rochester International Airport received 7.39" of precipitation.
• This was 2.50" drier than the 1991-2020 normal of 9.89".
• The table below contains the monthly precipitation totals and their departures from normal for the spring of 2026.

        Spring 2026 Precipitation
             in Rochester MN 

           Precipitation   Departure
   Month       Total      from Normal
   -----   -------------  -----------
   March    2.09 inches   +0.07 inches
   April    4.44 inches   +0.92 inches 
   May      0.86 inches   -3.49 inches - 2nd Driest
 
   Spring   7.39 inches   -2.50 inches

• Since April 16 (second half of meteorological spring), only 1.79" of precipitation fell. Only 1934 was drier with 0.40". 
• The wettest day occurred on April 3 when 1.24" of rain fell.
• Measurable precipitation fell on 29 days (31.5%) and trace amounts fell on another 14 days (15.2%).

Snowfall - Near Normal

• The snow observer near Rochester International Airport recorded 12.6" of snow.
• This was 0.2" more than the 1991-2020 normal of 12.4".
• The table below contains the monthly snowfall totals and their departures from normal for the spring of 2026.

          Spring 2026 Snowfall
             in Rochester MN 

             Snowfall      Departure
   Month       Total      from Normal
   -----   -------------  -----------
   March    12.6 inches   +4.0 inches 
   April       Trace      -3.3 inches 
   May       0.0 inches   -0.5 inches
 
   Spring    12.6 inches  +0.2 inches 

• The snowiest day occurred on March 15 when 12.4" of snow fell.
• Measurable snow fell on 2 days (2.2%) and trace amounts fell on another 9 days (9.8%).
• Greatest snow depth was 12" on March 16.