TWIN CITIES, MN — A broad weather system is impacting the entire Upper Midwest region today, bringing widespread rain, scattered thunderstorms, and cooler-than-normal temperatures across Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Iowa through Thursday night and into the weekend.
Regional Overview: Thursday, September 24, 2026
All three states are experiencing similar weather patterns as a slow-moving weather system traverses the region:
Minnesota:
- Highs: 60-65°F (below normal)
- Morning showers, afternoon sprinkles
- 60% precipitation chance
- Weekend: Heavy rain possible Friday night-Saturday
Wisconsin:
- Highs: 58-63°F (below normal)
- Showers likely, especially morning
- 60-70% precipitation chance
- Weekend: Rain chances highest in southern counties
Iowa:
- Highs: 65-69°F (near normal)
- Mostly sunny today, showers tonight
- 50-60% precipitation chance tonight
- Weekend: Continued shower chances
Temperature Comparison
| State | Today’s High | Tonight’s Low | Normal High |
| Minnesota | 60-65°F | 54-58°F | 68-72°F |
| Wisconsin | 58-63°F | 47-55°F | 66-70°F |
| Iowa | 65-69°F | 52-57°F | 68-72°F |
Precipitation Outlook
Minnesota: Widespread rain with scattered thunderstorms. Southern Minnesota along I-90 corridor could see 1-3 inches Friday night into Saturday under flood watch.
Wisconsin: Showers likely with light to moderate accumulation (0.1-0.3 inches). Central Wisconsin seeing weak storms. Southern tier has highest rain chances through weekend.
Iowa: Dry today, but showers developing tonight and spreading westward. Scattered showers expected Friday into Saturday.
Key Weather Hazards
- Localized Flooding – Southern Minnesota under flood watch for Friday night-Saturday
- Cool Temperatures – All three states running 5-10 degrees below normal
- Windy Conditions – East-northeast winds 10-15 mph with gusts to 20 mph
- Reduced Visibility – Morning showers and drizzle in many areas
Weekend Forecast Summary
Friday:
- Minnesota: Cloudy, scattered showers
- Wisconsin: Mostly cloudy, isolated showers
- Iowa: Cloudy with scattered showers
Saturday:
- Minnesota: Heavy rain potential, especially I-90 corridor
- Wisconsin: Rain chances highest in southern counties
- Iowa: Continued shower chances, especially morning
Sunday:
- All three states: Gradual improvement possible
- Temperatures moderating toward normals
- Drier conditions by Sunday afternoon in many areas
What Residents Across the Region Should Know
- Carry rain gear – Showers likely across all three states
- Dress warmly – Temperatures 5-10 degrees below normal
- Monitor local forecasts – Conditions may vary significantly by location
- Prepare for wet weekend – Especially Minnesota and southern Wisconsin
- Watch for flooding – Southern Minnesota under flood watch Friday night
Agricultural Impact
The cool, wet pattern comes at a critical time for harvest across the region:
- Minnesota: Field work may be delayed by widespread rain
- Wisconsin: Southern counties could see harvest disruptions
- Iowa: Dry today allows field work, but wet pattern returns tonight
Extended Outlook
Looking beyond the weekend, the Upper Midwest can expect:
- Temperatures gradually warming toward seasonal normals by early next week
- Additional precipitation chances early to mid-next week
- Highs returning to upper 60s to lower 70s by Tuesday-Wednesday
- Pattern becoming more typical for late September/early October
This regional forecast is based on National Weather Service data from Twin Cities (MN), Milwaukee/Sullivan (WI), Green Bay (WI), Des Moines (IA), and Quad Cities (IA) offices. Conditions may change; check local forecasts for updates.
