Rochester is Now Home To Another Temperature Record

Forecasters were predicting that some weather records would fall last weekend, and that was the case as Rochester and five other Minnesota cities all set new record high temperatures on Saturday.

The old adage about how if you don't like the current weather in Minnesota, just wait five minutes and it'll change was never more true than over the last week. Why, on Sunday, March 15th, parts of the Land of 10,000 Lakes were buried under a foot of snow-- or more-- and then high temperatures soared into the 70s just six days later. Make up your mind, Mother Nature!

Rochester Snowfall Records Shattered During Late-Season Blizzard

That late-season blizzard that rolled through the North Star State overnight on Saturday, March 14th, and Sunday, March 15th, set a few records of its own. According to the National Weather Service (NSW), Rochester International Airport (RST) recorded 12.4 inches of snow during that storm, which broke the daily maximum snowfall record of 7.9 inches, which was set back in 2021.

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And that wasn't even the highest snowfall in Minnesota during that storm, either. Parts of Minnesota near Zumbro Falls, Read's Landing, and Winona reported nearly 22 inches of snow or more during that same storm.

Rochester Snowfall Records Shattered During Late-Season Blizzard

Then, thanks to that short but unseasonably warm weather that invaded Minnesota on Saturday, March 21st, more weather records tumbled across the Bold North as 6 different cities set new maximum high temperature records.

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The NWS noted that the Med City hit a new record high last Saturday:

On Saturday, March 21, Rochester International Airport had a high temperature of 75 degrees. This surpassed the previous record of 70 degrees in 1918. This was the 6th earliest date in the year for a high temperature of 75 degrees or warmer.

Six Minnesota Cities Set New High Temperature Records on Saturday

NWS also reported that Saturday wasn't the first time this year it was that warm in Rochester; we also hit a high of 75 degrees back on March 7th. And, Fox 9 TV reported that record high temperatures were set in 5 other Minnesota cities on Saturday as well:

1. Twin Cities (MSP Airport) – 77–78°F (old record: 76°F in 1938)
2. Brainerd – 70°F (old record: 69°F in 1938)
3. Hibbing – 63°F (old record: 60°F in 2012)
4. Albert Lea – 81°F (broke 79°F from 1938)
5. Owatonna – 77°F (crushed 63°F record)

So does this mean we've seen the last of the white stuff for this spring? And does it mean we're likely looking at a hot, steamy summer season coming up? Only Mother Nature knows for sure, apparently. But those warm temps sure were nice on Saturday, weren't they?!?