Minnesota and Western Wisconsin Dry Out After Gloomy Rain as Lows Drop Into the 20s, Possibly Bringing the Twin Cities Its Long-Overdue First Freeze
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA — Another gloomy, rainy day settled over Minnesota and western Wisconsin on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, but brighter weather is on the way. Rain is expected to end from west to east overnight, followed by cooler, drier conditions heading into the weekend.
Wednesday: Widespread Rain Showers
Widespread rain showers covered the region on Wednesday, keeping skies gray and roads wet.
| Area | Wednesday High |
|---|---|
| Western Minnesota | 45 to 50°F |
| Eastern Minnesota and western Wisconsin | 55 to 60°F |
| Wednesday night lows | 35 to 45°F |
Rain Ends Overnight From West to East
The rain is expected to slowly taper off overnight, moving out from west to east. Some lingering showers and drizzle could hang on across eastern Minnesota and western Wisconsin into Thursday morning.
Five-Day Outlook for Minnesota and Western Wisconsin
| Day | Conditions | Highs | Lows |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesday | Widespread rain showers | 45 to 60°F | 35 to 45°F |
| Thursday | Mostly cloudy, early drizzle | 42 to 48°F | 28 to 34°F |
| Friday | Partly sunny, cooler | 40 to 45°F | 25 to 30°F |
| Saturday | Mostly sunny | 45 to 55°F | 32 to 38°F |
| Sunday | Sunny, warmer | 50 to 55°F | 35 to 40°F |
Thursday: Clouds Linger With Early Drizzle
Thursday starts mostly cloudy with some early drizzle, especially in eastern areas. Highs reach the low to upper 40s, and lows fall into the upper 20s to low 30s Thursday night.
Friday: Coolest Day of the Stretch
Friday brings partly sunny skies but feels much cooler, with highs only in the 40s. Overnight lows could dip to 25 to 30 degrees, making it the coldest night in the forecast.
Could This Finally Be the Twin Cities’ First Freeze?
The forecast lows are especially notable for the Twin Cities. As of this week, Minneapolis had not yet dropped to freezing this fall, running about 17 days behind its normal first freeze date, a delay seen only a handful of times since 1872.
With lows of 28 to 34 degrees Thursday night and 25 to 30 degrees Friday night, parts of the region could finally reach that long-awaited first freeze.
Weekend Brings Sunshine and Milder Temperatures
Conditions improve over the weekend:
- Saturday: Mostly sunny, highs 45 to 55 degrees
- Sunday: Sunny and warmer, highs 50 to 55 degrees
Gardeners: Protect Plants Before the Cold Nights
With temperatures dropping below freezing in some areas:
- Bring potted plants indoors
- Cover tender plants overnight
- Harvest remaining vegetables
- Drain and disconnect garden hoses
Driving Tips for Wet and Chilly Mornings
- Slow down on wet roads Wednesday night and Thursday
- Watch for slick spots on bridges during cold mornings
- Keep an ice scraper handy for frosty windshields Friday and Saturday
Outlook: Drying Trend Through the Weekend
After a soggy midweek stretch, Minnesota and western Wisconsin can look forward to sunshine and milder temperatures by Sunday.
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