Minnesota Weather: ‘Roller Coaster’ October, Snow Before Halloween?

Octobers in Minnesota are known for crisp air and bright foliage turning the landscape into shades of red, orange, and yellow. Days get shorter, and nights become cooler, with temperatures usually in the 60s during the day and dropping into the 40s at night. It’s often an ideal month for outdoor activities like backyard fires, hiking, and apple picking while the colorful leaves are at their best.

This October could be a little different. Forecasters say it will be a ‘roller coaster’ month for weather and some are calling for snow sooner than later.

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In Minnesota, we know all about dressing in layers come fall! Mornings can be chilly enough for a sweatshirt or jacket, but by afternoon, it’s often warm enough for shortsleeve shirts and shorts. The same goes for our cars—turn on the heat in the morning and switch to the AC by the afternoon.

‘Roller Coaster’ Forecast for October

Several forecasters, including the team at the National Weather Service in the Twin Cities, are describing this month’s weather as a roller coaster. Temperatures will bounce up and down from typical fall highs in the 60s to more summer-like temperatures in the upper 70s.

Some parts of the state could hit 80 this weekend, but the NWS warns it will be windy: “It’d be nice if it wasn’t for the wind.”

Temps could be back in the upper 70s or close to 80 the following weekend too.

Will There Be Snow by Halloween?

In Minnesota, the first measurable snowfall varies by region.

In the Twin Cities, the average date for the first snowfall is November 4th. In St. Cloud, the first inch of snow usually falls by November 15th, and in Rochester, it tends to arrive around November 21st.

It’s hard to imagine snow falling when it’s been so warm, but we all know how quickly that can change.

Local weathermen and women aren’t mentioning the S word yet, but some national forecasters are predicting snow sooner rather than later.

The latest forecast from the Old Farmer's Almanac for our region, which includes easter North and South Dakota, Minnesota, and Wisconsin, predicts rain and snow showers for the week of Oct 16th. From October 23-26, expect rain, snow, and colder weather, and from October 27-31, rain and snow showers are likely to continue, with temperatures remaining cold.