2026 Meteorological Summer Climate Summary

Upper Mississippi River Climate Summary for Meteorological Summer 2026: Temperatures - Near to Warmer than Normal

During the 2026 Meteorological Summer (June 1 through August 31), average temperatures ranged from 66.1°F at Medford Taylor County Airport, WI (AWOS) to 72.9°F at La Crosse Regional Airport (ASOS). Temperature anomalies ranged from near normal to 4°F warmer than normal. The hottest temperature was 99°F on July 27 at Boscobel Airport, WI (ASOS) and the coldest temperature was 37°F on June 3 near Hillsboro, WI (ASOS).

Precipitation - Highly Variable

Precipitation ranged from 7.52" near Thielman, MN (COOP) to 23.91" near Spring Valley, MN (CoCoRaHS). Precipitation anomalies ranged from 10" below normal to 8" wetter than normal. The wettest day was from July 1-2 when 7.30" of rain fell at Grand Meadow, MN (COOP). This was their wettest calendar day. The previous record was 7.20" on September 14-15, 2004.

Severe Weather - Above Average

During the 2026 meteorological summer, there was 133 convective weather warnings. The long-term (1986-2026) average is 90.3 warnings. There were 107 Severe Thunderstorm Warnings. This was tied with 2006 for the 5th most in a meteorological summer. The most was 147 warnings in 1998. The least was 7 warnings in 1988. The long-term (1986-2026) average is 68.8 warnings. There were 17 Tornado Warnings. This was the 8th most in a meteorological summer. The most was 30 warnings in 1998. The least was 0 warnings in 1988. The long-term (1986-2026) average is 9.7 warnings. There were 9 Flash Flood Warnings. The most was 30 warnings in 2008. The least was 0 warnings in 1986, 1988, 1989, 1992, 1994, and 2023. The long-term (1986-2026) average is 11.8 warnings. At least 1 convective warning was issued on 20 days this summer. The most warnings on a calendar day was 31 warnings on June 10 (30 Severe Thunderstorm Warnings & 1 Tornado Warnings). The most convective warnings in a county was Trempealeau (WI) with 19 warnings (18 severe thunderstorm warnings and 1 tornado warning). The least convective warnings in a county were in Dodge (MN) with 1 warning (a severe thunderstorm warning).

Below are the climate summaries for the 2026 meteorological summer in La Crosse, WI and Rochester, MN

La Crosse, WI

2026 Meteorological Summer was Wetter than Normal with Normal Temperatures in La Crosse WI
 

The 2026 meteorological summer (June 1 through August 31) was drier than normal with near normal temperatures. More details on these statistics can be found below.

The table below provides a breakdown of the temperature departures from normal for La Crosse WI this summer...

        Summer 2026 Temperatures
             in La Crosse WI

                             Departure from
                                 Normal
                             --------------
June   Avg Max Temp   79.8°F    -1.9°F
       Avg Min Temp   59.7°F    -0.7°F 
       Avg Temp       69.8°F    -1.2°F 

July   Avg Max Temp   86.0°F    +0.6°F 
       Avg Min Temp   66.8°F    +2.3°F - Tied with 1957
                                         and 1987 for the                                                                                                          11th warmest
       Avg Temp       76.4°F    +1.4°F 

August Avg Max Temp   82.4°F    -0.8°F 
       Avg Min Temp   62.4°F    +0.1°F 
       Avg Temp       72.4°F    -0.4°F

Summer Avg Max Temp   82.7°F    -0.8°F 
       Avg Min Temp   63.0°F    +0.6°F 
       Avg Temp       72.9°F     0.0°F 

Other temperature tidbits this summer...

• The average high temperature was 82.7°F. This was 0.8°F cooler than the 1991-2020 normal of 83.5°F.
• The average low temperature was 63°F. This was 0.6°F warmer than the 1991-2020 normal of 62.4°F.
• The hottest temperature was 97°F on July 27.
• The coldest high temperature was 65°F on June 17. 
• The warmest low temperature was 81°F on June 30.
• The coldest temperature was 50°F on June 19 and June 23.
• The temperature climbed to or exceeded 90°F on 11 days. The long-term average (1873-2025) is 13.1 days. The greatest number was 41 days in 1988.
• Temperatures averaged above normal on 43 days, below normal on 38 days, and normal on 8 days.

Precipitation - Wetter than Normal

• During the meteorological summer, La Crosse Regional Airport received 14.24" of rain.
• This was 1.03" wetter than the 1991-2020 normal of 13.21".

The table below contains the monthly rainfall totals and their departures from normal for this summer.

         Summer 2026 Rainfall
            in La Crosse WI

                           Departure
   Month    Rain Total    from Normal
   -----    ----------    -----------
   June     4.94 inches   -0.14 inches 
   July     7.38 inches   +3.15 inches - 14th wettest
   August   1.92 inches   -1.98 inches 
 
   Summer  14.24 inches   +1.03 inches 

Other rainfall tidbits this summer...

• The wettest day occurred on July 1 when 2.29" of rain fell. 
• Measurable rain fell on 33 days (35.9%) and trace amounts fell on another 3 days (3.3%). 

• No Rain - 54 days (58.7%)

Trace - 3 days (3.3%)
0.01-0.09 inches - 12 days (13.0%)
0.10-0.24 inches - 6 days (6.5%)
0.25-0.49 inches - 5 days (5.4%)
0.50-0.99 inches - 7 days (7.6%)
1.00-1.99 inches - 2 days (2.2%)
2.00-2.99 inches - 1 days (1.1%)

Sky...

• It was clear on 49 days.
• It was partly cloudy on 37 days.
• It was cloudy on 3 days.

Sea Level Pressure...

• Highest was 30.33 inches on June 2.
• Lowest was 29.27 inches on June 17. 

Winds...

• Highest sustained wind was 46 mph from the north on August 18.
• Highest wind gust was 66 mph from the north on August 18.

Mississippi River at La Crosse - Below Normal 

• The average 7 AM stage was 5.17 feet.
• This was 1.02 feet below the 1937-2026 average of 6.19 feet.
• The highest 7 AM stage was 6.07 feet on July 3.
• The lowest 7 AM stage was 4.52 feet on July 22.

Rochester, MN  
 

2026 Meteorological Summer was Warmer and Wetter than Normal in Rochester MN

The 2026 meteorological summer (June 1 through August 31) was warmer and wetter than normal for Rochester, MN.  More details on these statistics can be found below.

Other temperature tidbits this summer...

• The average high temperature was 80.1°F. This was 1.5°F warmer than the 1991-2020 normal of 78.6°F.
• The average low temperature was 61.1°F. This was 2.3°F warmer than the 1991-2020 normal of 58.8°F. Tied for the 3rd warmest with 1949 and 2006.
• The hottest temperature was 94°F on July 27
• The coldest high temperature was 68°F on July 31
• The warmest low temperature was 74°F on June 29.
• The coldest temperature was 47°F on June 19
• The temperature reached 90 degrees on 6 days.  The long-term average (1886-2024) is 9.3 days.
• Temperatures averaged above normal on 57 days, below normal on 28 days, and normal temperatures on 4 days.

Precipitation - Wetter than Normal

• During the meteorological summer, Rochester International Airport received 14.08" of rain.
• This was 0.42" wetter than the 1991-2020 normal of 13.66". 

The table below contains the monthly rainfall totals and their departures from normal for this summer.

         Summer 2026 Rainfall
            in Rochester MN

                           Departure
   Month    Rain Total    from Normal
   -----    ----------    -----------
   June     4.00 inches   -1.35 inches 
   July     8.84 inches   +3.60 inches - 5th wettest
   August   1.24 inches   -2.88 inches - 9th driest 
 
   Summer  14.08 inches   +0.42 inches 

Other rainfall tidbits this summer...

• The wettest day occurred on August 9 when 3.06" of rain fell. This was their 4th wettest August day and the wettest August day since August 27, 2021. The other 3 wetter days include: August 18, 2007 (5.16"), August 27, 2021 (3.51") and August 1, 1931 (3.27"). All time, only 31 days have been wetter. It was the wettest day since July 23, 2022 (3.09"). The wettest day was 7.47" on July 11, 1981.

Measurable rain fell on 40 days (43.5%) and trace amounts fell on another 11 days (12%).

Other rainfall tidbits this summer...

• The wettest day occurred on July 31 when 2.35 inches of rain fell. 
• Measurable rain fell on 31 days (33.7%) and trace amounts fell on another 7 days (7.6%).

No Rain - 52 days (56.5%)
Trace - 7 days (7.6%)
0.01-0.09 inches - 10 days (10.9%)
0.10-0.24 inches - 9 days (9.8%)
0.25-0.49 inches - 4 days (4.3%)
0.50-0.99 inches - 2 days (2.2%)
1.00-1.99 inches - 5 days (5.4%)
2.00-2.99 inches - 1 days (1.1%)

Sky...

• It was clear on 55 days.
• It was partly cloudy on 30 days.
• It was cloudy on 4 days.

Sea Level Pressure...

• Highest was 30.34 inches on June 2.
• Lowest was 29.25 inches on June 17. 

Winds...

• Highest sustained wind was 35 mph from the west northwest on June 11.
• Highest wind gust was 46 mph from the north northwest on July 1.