Easter Sunday Weather: Rain and Snow Forecast for Northern MN and WI

Easter Sunday, April 5, 2026, began with sunny but chilly conditions across the Twin Cities, northern Minnesota, and western Wisconsin. Early morning temperatures in these regions ranged from the 20s to the low 30s, according to reporting from FOX 9.

While the morning remained brisk and pleasant, cloud cover was forecast to move into the region throughout the day. These clouds were expected to appear first in northern Minnesota during the first half of the day before spreading to most of the area by the afternoon.

Meteorologists noted that a weather system was moving east of Lake Superior, though lingering effects remained. A southerly push ahead of a new front was expected to bring increased cloud cover, with patchy rain or snow showers possible in northern Wisconsin and northern Minnesota on the night of April 5.

Recent Winter Storm Impact

The chilly Easter forecast follows a series of intense winter weather events that affected the Northern U.S. And Upper Midwest during the first few days of April. Two back-to-back storms, identified by The Weather Channel as Winter Storm Joseline and Winter Storm Kadence, brought significant snowfall and ice to the region.

Winter Storm Joseline began intensifying on April 2, 2026, blanketing northern Minnesota and parts of the Dakotas with up to 8 inches of snow. The storm also deposited approximately one half-inch of ice in northern Michigan and northern Wisconsin. The combination of ice and strong winds resulted in power outages for more than 50,000 customers before the system moved into eastern Canada by midday on April 3.

Immediately following Joseline, Winter Storm Kadence brought additional rounds of precipitation. By April 4, the Northern Plains experienced snowfall exceeding one foot, with a peak recording of 16 inches in Cleveland, North Dakota. The storm also affected the Northern Rockies, where some totals exceeded two feet.

In Wisconsin, Kadence caused further icing, with reports of 0.25 inches in Wausau and over three-tenths of an inch in Spooner. These conditions contributed to widespread power outages across the Fox Valley, Northeast Wisconsin, and Central Wisconsin. Early Friday, April 3, more than 45,000 customers in Wisconsin and at least 12,000 in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula were without power.

Short-Term Outlook

The forecast for the immediate aftermath of Easter Sunday indicates a slow transition toward warmer weather. Monday, April 6, is expected to start cloudy, particularly in northern Minnesota, though sunshine is forecast for most of the region by the afternoon. High temperatures are predicted to remain in the 30s.

Winds are expected to shift to the south by Tuesday, April 7, which will bring renewed cloud cover and a chance of showers by Wednesday, April 8. Temperatures are projected to rise gradually throughout the week, providing a noticeable increase following the cold start to April.

Despite the recent heavy snow and ice, meteorologists indicate that the weather patterns seen in early April are typical for the region, and there are no major storms forecast for the immediate future.