Rain Gives Way to a Warmer Wednesday, Then Cooler Weather Thursday

September 29, 2026 | Three-day forecast: Tuesday, September 29–Thursday, October 1

Rain moves across Minnesota Tuesday before brighter and warmer weather returns to many communities Wednesday. The improvement will be slower in southeastern Minnesota, where showers could linger. Another change arrives Thursday as cooler, less humid air moves in to start October.

Northern Minnesota

Tuesday: Rain gradually ends from west to east across northwestern Minnesota. Thief River Falls should see its rain taper earlier, while wet weather lasts longer around Bemidji. Farther east, Duluth’s rain becomes more persistent from late morning onward. Forecast highs range from approximately 66 to 69 degrees in these communities.

The National Weather Service says localized flooding impacts remain possible Tuesday morning in areas affected by overnight heavy rain, including a corridor extending toward Thief River Falls. Improving weather will not immediately eliminate standing water or runoff concerns.

Wednesday: Sunshine returns to much of the region, with temperatures climbing to around 71 in Thief River Falls, 73 in Bemidji and 75 in Duluth. Some communities could begin the day with fog before skies brighten later in the morning.

Thursday: Cooler air arrives despite sunshine or partly sunny skies. Highs fall back to about 60 in Thief River Falls and Bemidji, while Duluth reaches approximately 66. Breezy conditions and lower humidity will make the day feel noticeably different from Wednesday.

Central Minnesota

Tuesday: Periods of rain affect Morris, Willmar and St. Cloud, with breezy conditions around Morris and Willmar during the morning. Highs should reach approximately 69 in Morris and 65 in Willmar and St. Cloud. The National Weather Service expects rain to progress eastward through the day, with scattered showers possible after the main rain moves through.

Wednesday: Conditions improve, although fog could develop overnight and linger into the morning in some areas. Sunshine then returns to many communities, with forecast highs around 79 in Morris, 77 in Willmar and 78 in St. Cloud. Wednesday offers a warmer, generally drier window for outdoor plans.

Thursday: A mix of clouds and sunshine continues, but temperatures drop into the mid-to-upper 60s. Morris and Willmar should reach around 66, with St. Cloud near 67. Humidity decreases, and overnight temperatures fall into the upper 30s to lower 40s in these communities.

Southern Minnesota

Tuesday: Rain spreads across southern Minnesota, with an afternoon thunderstorm possible around Rochester. Highs should reach approximately 68 in Marshall and Rochester, with New Ulm near 66. Rain and thunderstorm chances continue into Tuesday night in southeastern Minnesota.

Wednesday: Western communities see more improvement than the southeast. Marshall should become partly sunny with a high near 78, while New Ulm reaches around 76 as some afternoon sunshine develops. Rochester remains cloudier, with morning rain possible. The National Weather Service also keeps additional shower chances in the Rochester forecast later Wednesday and Wednesday night.

Thursday: Temperatures retreat into the mid-to-upper 60s, with lower humidity and a mix of clouds and sunshine in western areas. Southeastern Minnesota should not count on a completely dry finish: the National Weather Service still carries a small shower chance around Rochester.

IMRN Chief Meteorologist Paul Trombley