It's 36 degrees at 6 a.m. in Faribault, with relative humidity at 80 percent and the barometric pressure falling. Rice County has no significant weather threats at this time. Today will bring sunny skies and a high near 60 degrees, making it the warmest afternoon of the work week. South southeast winds will be 5 to 15 mph. Tonight, expect partly cloudy conditions with a low around 39 degrees. Winds will shift from south 5 to 10 mph to northwest 10 to 15 mph after midnight.![]()
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Southern Minnesota is set for a calm and significantly warmer Tuesday. A low-pressure system is sliding southeast, bringing a broad area of warmer air and south winds that will boost temperatures 10 to 15 degrees above normal, into the upper 50s and low 60s this afternoon. We expect sunshine, though filtered by high clouds. Locally, conditions will remain dry through tonight and into Wednesday.![]()
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Temperatures will gradually fall through the rest of the week, with breezier northwesterly winds bringing cooler air, pushing highs into the upper 40s to lower 50s by Wednesday. For the weekend, a developing weather system could bring a rain or snow mix across southern Minnesota on Saturday, with a 40 to 60 percent probability. Forecast trends most of the precipitation footprint further south through eastern South Dakota and northern Iowa, but the storm's path remains uncertain. Very cold air will follow, dropping highs into the low to mid 30s for Saturday and Sunday. Milder November temperatures are suggested by the end of next week.![]()
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Past November 4ths in Minnesota history show a wide range of weather. Record highs hit 76 degrees in 2020, while the high only reached 14 and a record low was -7 degrees in 1991. On this day in 2024, a half of an inch of precipitation was recorded. Notably, in 1901, plummeting temperatures in Minneapolis put 175 boxcars of potatoes in peril, and in 1853, a cold snap brought four days of 16 degrees or lower to Fort Snelling.![]()
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In Faribault at 6 a.m., it's 37 degrees with a west wind at 7 mph, making the wind chill 32 degrees. Relative humidity is 80 percent, and the barometric pressure is rising rapidly.![]()
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We have an elevated fire weather risk today! Gusty westerly winds, expected to reach 20 to 30 mph, combined with low relative humidity dropping into the 20-35 percent range this afternoon, create conditions where fires can spread easily. A special weather statement has been issued for high fire danger across parts of our area, including Rice County. We encourage everyone to be extra careful with any outdoor burning activities today.![]()
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On this day in 1991, the historic Halloween Blizzard finally ended after dumping 28.4 inches of snow on the Twin Cities. While that's far from our current forecast, it serves as a reminder of how quickly Minnesota weather can change. Our historical records for today include a record high of 77 degrees in 2020 and a record low of 10 degrees in 1991.![]()
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Looking ahead, mild weather will continue through the workweek, with high temperatures in the 50s. Today will be sunny with a high near 56 degrees. We'll see partly cloudy skies tonight, with a low around 36. Several weather systems will pass through the region over the next few days, bringing dry conditions to Rice County as any significant rain or snow is expected to stay north or east of our area.![]()
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The biggest change in our forecast comes this weekend. A stronger storm system approaching on Saturday could bring us our first chance for rain or snow of the season. There's still uncertainty regarding the exact path and timing, and whether we'll see significant precipitation, but it's certainly one to watch for those hoping for an early snowflake sighting. Colder air will follow this system, dropping our high temperatures into the 30s for Sunday, though this cooldown is expected to be brief.![]()
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Wind is air in motion, driven by differences in atmospheric pressure. Air naturally flows from areas of high pressure to low pressure, and the greater this pressure difference, the stronger the wind. Today, Rice County will experience these pressure differences firsthand with significant gusts.![]()
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It's 36 degrees in Faribault this morning at 6 am, with a south-southwest wind at 9 mph making it feel like 29 degrees. The barometric pressure is falling. Today, temperatures will warm into the low 50s with a high near 51. Be prepared for breezy conditions, with south winds increasing to 15 to 20 mph and gusts as high as 35 mph throughout the day.![]()
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These strong winds, gusting between 30-40 mph from mid-morning through the afternoon, are due to a developing area of low atmospheric pressure across southern Canada that is becoming more intense across the Upper Midwest. The significant difference in air pressure across our region is what's driving these higher wind speeds, making this a high-confidence wind forecast.![]()
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Rice County has no significant severe weather threats at this time. Tonight, there's a chance of sprinkles before 7 pm, with a low around 36 degrees.![]()
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Looking back at November 2nd in Minnesota weather history, we've seen some extremes. The record high was a very mild 76 degrees in 1933, while the record low plummeted to 8 degrees in 1951, the same year the high only reached 21. On this day in 1938, a tornado touched down in Nashwauk in Itasca County, affecting livestock.![]()
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Mild temperatures are expected to continue through the work week, gradually warming into the mid to upper 50s by Tuesday, with only minor rain chances. A stronger ripple in the upper atmosphere next weekend could bring 30-40 percent chances of rain and cooler highs in the 40s.![]()
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Just over 30 years ago, many Minnesotans woke up on November 1st, 1991, to a world transformed by the historic Halloween Blizzard. Classes were canceled statewide as three-foot drifts piled up on I-94 from the Twin Cities to St. Cloud. Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport recorded its all-time daily snowfall record of 18.5 inches. While we are not facing anything like that today, it is a powerful reminder of how quickly and dramatically Minnesota's autumn weather can change.![]()
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This morning in Faribault, it is 39 degrees at 6 am with a north-northwest wind at 6 miles per hour, making it feel like 35 degrees with the wind chill. Humidity is at 82 percent, and we picked up a tenth of an inch of precipitation from the last system, with barometric pressure now rising. For today, expect another cool and cloudy day with a high near 43 degrees. There is only a 10 percent chance of light rain or sprinkles before 7 am.![]()
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The low-pressure system that brought us a dreary Halloween has moved into northeast Iowa, taking most of the rain with it. However, lingering moisture and extensive low clouds will keep skies gray today, holding temperatures in the low to mid 40s. Looking ahead, a wavy pattern of air movement will bring several weather fronts through our area over the next week. This will usher in mild air from the Pacific, pushing our highs into the 50s, which is several degrees above the average for early November. We will see some minor chances for light rain with these fronts, particularly Sunday evening, though model confidence varies. Sunday could also bring some wind gusts around 30 miles per hour ahead of a front.![]()
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Historically, November 1st has seen a wide range of weather. The record high for this day was a warm 79 degrees in 1933, while the high only reached 27 degrees in 1905. That same year, the record low dipped to 13 degrees. A quarter-inch of precipitation was recorded on this date last year.![]()
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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 will 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!
It's Halloween, and on this day in 1991, the Great Halloween Blizzard began, making trick-or-treating a memorable, snowy experience for many, with 8.2 inches falling at MSP airport by midnight. Today, Rice County can expect a different kind of Halloween weather.![]()
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Current conditions in Faribault at 6 am show 40 degrees with a west wind at 3 mph, feeling like 38 degrees. Humidity is 83 percent, and barometric pressure is steady. There are no significant weather threats for Rice County at this time.![]()
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Many rain showers will develop across the region this afternoon and continue into the evening. While a few snowflakes are possible, they are not expected to cause any problems. Keep an eye on the radar if you're planning for trick-or-treat activities later today, as showers are likely, especially after 3 pm, with a 60 percent chance of precipitation. Temperatures today will reach a high near 43 degrees, with light west winds increasing to 5 to 10 mph. Tonight, expect a 50 percent chance of showers, mostly cloudy skies, and a low around 34 degrees with calm wind. The forecast shows that while many places may see rain, it is not expected to be heavy. Trick-or-treat conditions will be damp and cool, with temperatures in the upper 30s to lower 40s during the early evening.![]()
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Looking ahead, the forecast dries out this weekend, with Saturday remaining cool and gloomy, highs in the low to mid 40s. Next week brings a warming trend, with temperatures climbing into the upper 50s and even near 60 degrees. The weather pattern suggests mostly dry conditions for much of the week, with chances of rain being few as weather systems are expected to pass mostly to our north.![]()
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Historically for October 31st in Minnesota, the record high was 82 degrees in 1950, and the record low was 11 degrees back in 1913.![]()
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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!
Faribault begins Thursday, October 30 at 6 am with 36 degrees, 84 percent relative humidity, and falling barometric pressure.![]()
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A Dense Fog Advisory is in effect for Rice County and much of Southern Minnesota until 10 am this morning. Visibility is one-quarter mile or less in dense fog, making driving conditions hazardous. Areas of dense freezing fog were also possible earlier this morning. Visibility will slowly improve after daybreak.![]()
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On this day in Minnesota weather history, in 1951, an early snow storm dropped as much as 8 inches of snowfall in north central Minnesota, with Mora receiving 8 inches and Long Prairie 6 inches. Glenwood, Little Falls, Morris, and New London all reported 5 inches. In 1936, an intense dust storm caused damage in Central Minnesota, with heavy wind damage reported in Stearns County. For historical perspective, the record high on October 30th was 83 degrees in 1950, while it only reached 28 degrees for a high in 1917. The record low was 4 degrees in 1925.![]()
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Today, after the dense fog and low clouds clear through mid-morning, expect partial sunshine this afternoon. There is a slight chance of sprinkles between 3 pm and 5 pm, then a slight chance of rain after 5 pm. These intermittent sprinkles are due to a weak cold front advancing eastward across the Dakotas, stirring up just enough moisture. Highs will be near 48 degrees with calm winds becoming west around 5 mph. The chance of precipitation is low, around 10 percent.![]()
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Tonight, there is a slight chance of rain showers before 4 am, then a slight chance of sprinkles and flurries between 4 am and 5 am, followed by a slight chance of flurries after 5 am. These chances are tied to the weakening cold front and a small upper-level storm system. While some flurries are possible as temperatures drop near the freezing mark, no snow accumulation is expected due to ground temperatures remaining well above freezing. Any liquid precipitation will amount to only a few hundredths of an inch at best, signaling our entry into the time of year when winter-type precipitation becomes a possibility. Patchy fog is possible before 11 pm, becoming areas of fog after midnight. Lows will be around 31 degrees with calm winds becoming west-northwest around 5 mph.![]()
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The end of this week and early next week look mostly quiet, with temperatures around normal for the season. A weak weather front might bring low-impact isolated to scattered rain showers to northern portions of the area Sunday night through Monday, but current models show reduced coverage and amounts with temperatures remaining above freezing. Temperatures will rebound to above normal levels from Sunday onward, with highs returning to the 50s next week, and lows are expected to remain in the 30s.![]()
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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!
October 29th has a history of early season snow in Southern Minnesota. On this day in 1905, significant snowfall accumulated across the region, including 4 inches right here in Faribault. Other south central Minnesota communities saw even more, with 7 inches at Fairmont, 6 inches at Farmington, 4.5 inches at Montevideo, and 3 inches at New London. On this day in 2004, central and southern Minnesota experienced unseasonably muggy conditions with dew points in the mid-upper 60s. It's a reminder of how variable fall weather can be.![]()
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Currently in Faribault at 6:30 am, it's 41 degrees with a north-northwest wind at 7 mph, creating a 36-degree wind chill. Relative humidity is 83 percent. We picked up 0.2 inches of precipitation with the last system, and the barometric pressure is rising.![]()
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Today, expect mostly cloudy skies, gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 54 degrees. North northeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Tonight will be mostly cloudy, with a low around 34 degrees and calm wind.![]()
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Cool and mostly cloudy conditions are expected through the rest of this week. Highs will be in the mid 40s to lower 50s, with lows in the 30s. Scattered flurries or sprinkles are possible early Friday morning through mid-afternoon, but any precipitation is expected to end by sunset. A better chance for rain or snow is forecast for Sunday into Monday, though limited moisture suggests a low chance for minimal accumulation. Temperatures should remain generally near normal through early next week.![]()
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For October 29th, the record high was 81 degrees in 2024, and the record low was 14 degrees in 1925. The high only reached 23 degrees in 1925.![]()
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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 44 degrees in Faribault at 6 am, with an east-southeast wind at 6 mph. The relative humidity is 84 percent. We picked up nearly one tenth of an inch of precipitation from the last system, and the barometric pressure is steady.![]()
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On this day, October 28, the record high was 75 degrees in 2024, while in 1925, the high only reached 25 degrees. The record low for today was 13 degrees, also in 1925. On this day in 1960, a 29-day dry stretch in west central Minnesota ended.![]()
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Today, Rice County can expect rain, mainly after 4 pm. It will be cloudy with a high near 53 degrees. East southeast winds will be 5 to 10 mph. There's a 60 percent chance of precipitation, with new amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible. Overnight, there's a 40 percent chance of rain, with a low around 43. Rain will continue over central and southern Minnesota through tonight, with amounts expected to taper off significantly as you head east toward I-35, and little to no rain for areas east into western Wisconsin.![]()
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Winds over western Minnesota are expected to increase today with gusts 25-35 mph, though speeds will be lesser over eastern Minnesota, including Rice County. These winds are not expected to reach warning levels. Looking ahead, dry and much more tranquil conditions are expected on Wednesday, continuing through Saturday. Temperatures will drop to normal or below normal values into early next week, with highs generally in the mid 40s to lower 50s. The next significant weather system with a chance of rain looks to arrive Sunday into Monday.![]()
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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 42 degrees in Faribault at 6 am, with an east-southeast wind at 12 mph, gusting to 16 mph. The wind chill is 35 degrees, and relative humidity is 83 percent. The barometric pressure is falling.![]()
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On this day in 1943, residents described one of the worst fogs in the Twin Cities in memory, where street lights couldn't be seen 25 yards away, bringing traffic to a standstill. In 1931, an intense low pressure system near Duluth caused the barometer to fall to 29.02 inches. For historical context in Faribault, the record high on October 27 was 79 degrees in 1927, and the record low was 12 degrees in 1997. In 1925, the high only reached 27 degrees.![]()
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Today will be mostly sunny, with a high near 60 degrees. Southeast winds will be 10 to 15 mph. This pleasant late October morning will turn cloudy by late afternoon, with rain chances increasing this evening, mainly after 2 am. Tonight's low will be around 43 degrees with southeast winds continuing at 10 to 15 mph.![]()
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Rain is likely tonight through early Wednesday morning. Most locations in central and southern Minnesota, including Rice County, are expected to see up to a half inch of rain, with isolated amounts up to 0.75 or 1 inch possible. Breezy winds from the south-southeast will precede the incoming storm, shifting to west-northwest by Wednesday.![]()
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Looking ahead, we'll dry out Wednesday afternoon into next weekend, with temperatures becoming seasonable for this time of year. Highs will be in the low 50s and lows in the mid to upper 30s. November marks the beginning of our dry season, with typical monthly precipitation ranging from 1.25 to 1.5 inches. While no significant rain or snow is expected in the immediate future, there are early hints of colder air moving into the Upper Midwest towards the end of the first week of November.![]()
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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!
October 26 in Minnesota history includes a significant severe weather outbreak in 1996. That day, an intense low-pressure system brought blizzards to South Dakota while fueling 12 tornadoes in Minnesota, with unseasonably mild temperatures near 70 degrees. An F2 tornado in Douglas County destroyed homes and caused injuries. Also on this day, Minnesota recorded its lowest pressure in 2010 at 28.21 inches of mercury in Bigfork, causing widespread 65 mph wind gusts. Records for this date are a high of 83 in 1927, and a record low of 17 in 1936.![]()
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At 7:15 am in Faribault, it is 48 degrees with a south-southeast wind at 12 mph and 76 percent humidity. We picked up a tenth of an inch of precipitation with the last system.![]()
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Today, morning clouds scatter for mostly sunny skies, warming to low to mid 60s. Breezy southeast winds 10 to 15 mph. Tonight, mostly clear with a low around 40.![]()
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Our next system brings widespread rain Monday through early Wednesday. Rain develops Monday afternoon and continues through most of Tuesday. While western Minnesota sees highest totals, Rice County could see half an inch or more. Temperatures will be in the upper 50s Monday, cooling to lower 50s Tuesday. Mid-week into next weekend brings seasonable temperatures. Highs in the lower 50s, lows in the mid to upper 30s. A warmer, drier start to November is possible.![]()
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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!
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