It's a cool start to your Monday here in Rice County, with temperatures around 49 degrees in Faribault as of 5:55 AM. Winds are light out of the northwest at 5 miles per hour, and relative humidity is 85%. Our local area is currently experiencing quiet weather with no significant threats.![]()
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Quiet conditions are expected to persist throughout the week, largely thanks to an area of high pressure settling over the Midwest. This system brings calm, seasonably cool weather. Today will be sunny with a high near 67 degrees, and light northwest winds 5 to 10 mph. Tonight, expect mostly clear skies, with temperatures dropping to around 45 degrees as winds become calm in the evening.![]()
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Today's temperatures are about 10 degrees below normal for late August. Below-normal readings will continue for much of the week, with highs generally in the 60s and 70s, and lows in the 40s and 50s. As the high pressure shifts southeast, temperatures will slightly rebound into the low 70s by Wednesday, making it the warmest day. Most of the week will remain dry for Rice County, with only a small chance (20-30%) for scattered rain Wednesday night and Thursday. The end of August is expected to remain mostly dry with continued mild temperatures.![]()
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While we enjoy calm weather, it's a good time to remember the variability of Minnesota weather. On this day, August 25, the record high for our region was 95 degrees in 1948, while the record low dipped to 36 degrees in 1915. In 1968, the high only reached 61 degrees. Historical events include the Roy Lake Fire burning 2,600 acres during a drought in 1976, and a tornado striking near Hutchinson in 1875.![]()
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Stay informed about our ever-changing weather by visiting skywarn.us/podcast for our Rice County Skywarn up-to-the-minute Podcast! It's a great 2 or 3 minute, hands-off listening experience, where you'll hear everything you need to know weather-wise to get you through your day. You can also install our SKYWARN app from there to easily access both the podcast and our streaming channel!
It's Sunday, August 24, and Rice County is starting the day on a noticeably cool note for this time of year. In Faribault, it's 53 degrees at 6:30 am. Winds are out of the west-northwest at 6 miles per hour, with 84% relative humidity and steady barometric pressure.![]()
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Historically, August 24th in Minnesota has seen extremes. 1936 brought a record high of 100 degrees. Conversely, 1934 was very cool, with a high of just 65 degrees and a record low of 38 degrees. Early cool air that day even dropped Rochester and Fairmont to 34 degrees. On this day in 2006, southern Minnesota experienced strong tornadoes and grapefruit-sized hail, causing one fatality and 37 injuries, a stark reminder of our region's severe weather potential.![]()
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Today, Rice County faces no significant weather threats. Today is expected to be another cool, breezy, and cloudy day, with isolated, very light sprinkles possible after noon, primarily in eastern Minnesota. Any rain would be brief and minimal, just a trace. High temperatures will be near 65 degrees, well below the seasonal average. Northwest winds will be breezy at 5 to 15 mph, with gusts up to 20 to 30 mph from late morning through late afternoon. Tonight will be partly cloudy with a low around 43 degrees and calmer west-northwest winds at 5 to 10 mph.![]()
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This cool, dry trend continues. Monday and Tuesday will remain cool with highs in the upper 60s to lower 70s. A gradual warming trend is expected midweek, with highs reaching the mid to upper 70s from Wednesday onward, still a bit below average for late August. Dry weather will persist throughout the week with a mix of sun and clouds.![]()
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Visit skywarn.us/streaming for our Rice County Skywarn Streaming Channel, featuring the latest radar imagery, historical and future radar, weather outlooks, and weather alerts and forecasts.
Southern Minnesota weather is shifting today. A cold weather boundary has passed, bringing a much cooler, breezier feel to Rice County. Faribault is 57 degrees this morning with west-northwest winds at 8 mph and a rising barometer, signaling this change. While late August often brings summer heat, these cooler days signal autumn's approach.![]()
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For today, Saturday, August 23rd, light, isolated sprinkles are possible this afternoon, mainly after 1 PM into the early evening. These will be brief and scattered, with only a trace of rainfall expected, unlikely to disrupt outdoor plans. Northwest winds will gust up to 25 mph, making it feel even cooler. Highs will only reach the mid-to-upper 60s, noticeably below average.![]()
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Looking ahead, dry conditions are anticipated from tonight through much of the upcoming week as stable high pressure settles in. Temperatures will remain cool, with highs in the 60s and low 70s through Tuesday, gradually climbing to the mid-to-upper 70s by Wednesday and Thursday. Another dry cold front is then expected to bring temperatures back closer to 70 degrees for the Labor Day weekend.![]()
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On this day in Minnesota weather history, August 23rd, 1955, Houston County saw hail drifts up to a foot deep at Rushmore. Historically for Faribault, the record high was 97 degrees in 1948, and the record low 41 degrees in 1908.![]()
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Please visit our website at skywarn.us where you'll always find the latest local, weather updates, and more about our Rice County Skywarn Program!
Good morning, Rice County! It's Friday, August 22nd. At 5:55 AM in Faribault, we're seeing 67 degrees with a southwest wind at 5 mph. The relative humidity is 83%, making it feel a bit muggy with a dew point of 62. The barometric pressure is rising.![]()
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Scattered thunderstorms are expected to develop in western Minnesota late this morning and then slide east across eastern Minnesota, including our area, through the early to middle afternoon hours. A few of these storms may be severe, capable of producing strong winds or large hail. The National Storm Prediction Center has placed Rice County under a Marginal Risk for severe thunderstorms today, which is a 1 out of 5 scale risk. There is a 5% probability of one-inch diameter hail and a 5% probability of possibly damaging winds. SKYWARN spotter activation may be needed later this morning into this afternoon.![]()
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For today, showers and thunderstorms are likely across Rice County, developing from lingering weather patterns and a boundary of cooler air moving east. This will bring a chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1 PM, then likely showers and possibly a thunderstorm between 1 PM and 3 PM, followed by another chance after 3 PM. Expect mostly cloudy skies with a high near 77 degrees. Winds will be south-southwest around 5 mph, becoming west-northwest in the afternoon. The chance of precipitation is 70%, with new rainfall amounts generally less than a tenth of an inch, though isolated higher amounts are possible in thunderstorms.![]()
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Although some good news for our local rivers. The Cannon and Straight River are both now falling in depth after cresting last night!![]()
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The record high for August 22nd was 98 degrees in 2023, while the high only reached 60 degrees in 1966. The record low was 38 degrees back in 2004. Further back, on this day in 1910, daylight was dimmed in Duluth due to smoke from Rocky Mountain forest fires. In 1870, downpours across southern Minnesota produced 5 inches at Sibley and 3.49 inches at Fort Snelling, causing much damage to the wheat crop.![]()
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Looking ahead, a cold front will bring much cooler and drier air across the region this weekend and into much of next week. After today's expected rain passes, much calmer and clearer weather conditions are expected from tonight through most of next week. High temperatures will drop into the 60s and 70s, with lows in the 40s and 50s. Humidity levels will also be much lower, making for more comfortable air. Air quality is expected to remain good through the weekend into early next week.![]()
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Please visit our website at skywarn.us where you'll always find the latest local weather updates, and more about our Rice County Skywarn Program!
It is 65 degrees at 5:55 am in Faribault with 81% relative humidity. The barometric pressure is rising.![]()
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On this day, August 21, Minnesota weather history recalls significant events. The record high was 97 degrees in 1947, while the high only reached 60 in 1966. The record low was 38 degrees in 2002. Notably, August 21, 1918, marked Minnesota's third deadliest tornado, striking Tyler and destroying its downtown, leaving 36 dead. Closer to home, in 1886, Northfield experienced high winds blowing at 60 mph for 20 minutes, with peak gusts reaching 75-80 mph. Also, on this day in 1883, Rochester was hit by Minnesota's fourth deadliest tornado, killing 31 residents and injuring 100. This tragic event led to the founding of St. Marys Hospital, which eventually grew into the Mayo Clinic.![]()
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For Rice County and Southern Minnesota, patchy fog this morning will give way to mostly sunny skies. Cloud cover will increase tonight ahead of a cold front, bringing scattered showers and storms into Friday. If these storms develop and strengthen, SKYWARN spotter activation may be needed.![]()
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Looking ahead, after the weather change moves through on Friday, dry and cool air will settle in. Moisture levels are expected to drop significantly, and high temperatures will be in the mid 60s to near 70 this weekend, making for pleasant outdoor activities. The chance of smoke haze from Canadian fires is much lower, with winds pushing it east. While distant Western US fires could cause some haze, it is not expected to be a significant concern at ground level.![]()
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A slight change to the weekend forecast includes a chance for isolated rain showers on Sunday afternoon and evening. This is due to a low-pressure system high in the atmosphere moving south towards the Great Lakes. While conditions may allow for showers, limited moisture in the air could mean most rain evaporates before reaching the ground. For those planning to visit the State Fair this weekend, continue to check the forecast for Sunday.![]()
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Regarding river conditions, the Cannon River at Northfield is at Action Level at 895.86 feet and is rising slowly. The Cannon River at County Highway 29 below Faribault is at Action Level at 17.97 feet and is rising slowly. The Straight River Near Faribault is at Action Level at 8.67 feet and is steady. We will continue to monitor these levels.![]()
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Please visit our website at skywarn.us where you'll always find the latest local, weather updates, and more about our Rice County Skywarn Program!
It's 66 degrees this Wednesday morning in Faribault, with a 60-degree dew point and light 3 mph north winds. Patchy dense fog is present across Rice County this morning, expected to lift by 8-9 AM as daylight warms things up. Visibility may drop below a mile in southern Minnesota.![]()
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Historically for August 20th in Minnesota, the record high was 96 in 1955, with a much cooler high of 61 in 1985. The record low was 37 in 1950. Notably, on this day in 1904, downtown Minneapolis and St. Paul saw tornadoes, including one that produced Minnesota's highest official one-minute wind recording of 110 mph in St. Paul.![]()
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While no significant weather threats exist for Rice County today, we are monitoring local rivers. The Cannon River at Northfield is at Action Level (895.33 feet, rising slowly). The Cannon River at County Highway 29 below Faribault is also at Action Level (17.48 feet, rising rapidly). The Straight River Near Faribault is at Action Level (8.69 feet, rising slowly).![]()
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Today, after morning fog, expect mostly sunny skies with a high near 80 and calm winds. Tonight is mostly clear, low around 61, with patchy fog possibly returning after 5 AM.![]()
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High pressure ensures clear conditions today. A cold front arrives Friday with a chance for scattered showers and storms. While storm energy exists, an atmospheric "lid" means storms are likely to form higher up, resulting in a low chance of being severe in Rice County. This front ushers in a truly beautiful forecast for the weekend and early next week, with dew points and humidity dropping significantly. Get ready to open those windows, as highs are expected in the 60s over the weekend. This comfortable weather, possibly the first 60s high in August for the State Fair since 2018, will continue into next week with calm conditions.![]()
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To stay informed with the latest weather updates, grab our app at skywarn.us/podcast. Click the big orange button, and install our SKYWARN app from there to easily access both our up-to-the-minute podcast and our streaming channel.
It's Tuesday, August 19, and a Dense Fog Advisory is active for Rice County until 9 AM. Visibility is a quarter mile or less, making driving precarious this morning. Please use extreme caution on the roads. In Faribault, it's 68 degrees with 79% humidity and a muggy dew point of 61. We picked up 2.4 inches of precipitation with the last system, and the barometric pressure is rising.![]()
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The recent rains have led to elevated river levels. Both the Cannon River at County Highway 29 below Faribault and the Straight River Near Faribault are at Action Level and rising. The Cannon River at Northfield is at normal levels but also slowly rising. While Rice County currently has no significant weather threats, and SKYWARN spotter activation is not needed, we continue to monitor these conditions.![]()
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On this day in Minnesota weather history, August 19, 2007, a record 24-hour rainfall of 15.10 inches was set in Hokah, Houston County. This contributed to a record monthly total of 23.86 inches for August 2007. Also, in 1980, strong winds at Belle Plaine severely damaged five planes. For temperature records on August 19, the high was 97 degrees in 1955, and the low was 38 in 1967.![]()
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Dense fog will dissipate by mid-morning, leading to partly cloudy skies and a high near 83 degrees today. A high pressure system brings mostly clear and quiet weather for most of the week. Patchy fog is possible the next few days, with a small chance for showers and storms Thursday night into Friday morning.![]()
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Dry conditions are expected to continue through the week, with cooler temperatures by next weekend. Highs are forecast for the low 70s, and there's a chance Sunday might not even reach 70 degrees, a rarity for the first weekend of the State Fair since 2018.![]()
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Visit skywarn.us/streaming for our Rice County Skywarn Streaming Channel, featuring the latest radar imagery, historical and future radar, weather outlooks, and weather alerts and forecasts.
We've been tracking river levels in Rice County over on the streaming channel this afternoon. The Cannon River at Northfield in particular is forecast to reach minor flood stage in just a few days.![]()
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Check out the Rice County Streaming Channel at skywarn.us/streaming or our podcast at skywarn.us/podcast to keep up-to-date!
It's Monday, August 18, and at 6:43 AM in Faribault, we're seeing 69 degrees with a dew point of 62 and 78% relative humidity. Winds are out of the east-southeast at 6 mph. We've already picked up 2.2 inches of rain from the last system, with 0.65 inches of that coming in the last 24 hours. The barometric pressure is holding steady.![]()
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On this day in 1934, Faribault soared to a record high of 100 degrees, while in 1977, we dipped to a record low of 41 degrees. And an interesting note from Minnesota weather history: on this day in 1953, four heifers near St. Martin had a truly wild ride, picked up and then safely set down by a tornado, unharmed.![]()
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Rice County, along with much of Southern and Central Minnesota, is currently under a Flood Watch until 10 AM this morning. We've already seen widespread rainfall of 1 to 3 inches, and with an additional 1 to 2 inches possible, localized totals could reach 4 to 5 inches. Our soils and local streams are already saturated, meaning any more rain could quickly lead to flooding. Expect possible flash flooding, especially in low-lying and urban areas, and watch for extensive street and creek flooding.![]()
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Current radar shows active storm cells across the area this morning, with recent lightning strikes near Sakatah Lake and Morristown. A cell near Waterville is also heading north. Rice County is under a Marginal Risk for severe thunderstorms today, indicating a 1 out of 5 risk, with a 5% probability of damaging winds.![]()
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For the rest of today, expect showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 1 PM. It will be mostly cloudy with a high near 84 degrees. Winds will be out of the southeast at around 10 mph, shifting to west-southwest in the afternoon. New rainfall amounts of a quarter to half an inch are possible. Tonight, patchy fog may develop after 9 PM, with partly cloudy skies and a low around 66.![]()
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The good news is that after today's activity, conditions are expected to finally dry out and cool down through the week, with temperatures dropping to the upper 70s to low 80s, closer to normal for late August. We'll welcome clearer skies behind the cold front. Be mindful that even after the rain stops, rivers and streams across the region are running high due to recent heavy rainfall, so continued vigilance regarding river levels is important.![]()
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Stay informed and prepared for changing weather conditions. Visit skywarn.us/podcast for our Rice County Skywarn up-to-the-minute Podcast for a great 2 or 3 minute, hands-off listening experience, where you'll hear, in a minute or two, everything you need to know weather-wise to get you through your day! Install our SKYWARN app from there to easily access both the podcast and our streaming channel!
We'll go LIVE here on Facebook when there are weather events of interest in Rice County.
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