Widespread heat lingered today, stretching from the southwest U.S. through the central Rockies and spilling north and east into the Plains. Temperatures hit the 70s, 80s, and 90s across these regions, with the southwest seeing highs in the 100s.
Grand Island, Nebraska hit a scorching 98 degrees today, a whopping 43 degrees above the normal March 21st high of 55. Typically, the first 98-degree day doesn’t happen until June 23rd, with the previous earliest on record being May 8th in 1934—until today.
The high of 98 degrees in Grand Island, Nebraska today, March 21, 2026, breaks the record for the hottest March day. The old record of 90 degrees had been matched several times, with the latest occurrence in 2015.
The pink and magenta areas on the map show places that set either a new daily record high for March 21 or a new all-time high temperature for the month of March.
Closer to home, temperatures climbed into the 70s and 80s today across the southern half of Minnesota and into western and southern Wisconsin. Meanwhile, northeast Minnesota and northwest Wisconsin saw a wide range, from the 30s near Lake Superior to the 60s and low 70s in parts of east-central Minnesota and northwest Wisconsin, with far northern Minnesota settling in the 40s.
…Record Highs Set in the Northland today, Saturday, March 21, 2026…
Brainerd, MN
New record high: 70
Old record: 69 set in 1938
Hibbing, MN
New record high: 63
Old record: 60 set in 2012
-The Duluth Airport hit a high of 64 degrees today, marking the first 60-degree or warmer day of the year. On average, the first 60 arrives around April 11th, with the earliest on record being March 6th in 1987. Last year, Duluth reached its first 60 on March 10th.
-Today’s high of 70 in Brainerd, Minnesota, on March 21, 2026, marks the first 70-degree day of the year. On average, the first 70 arrives around April 17, with the earliest on record being March 7 in 1987. Last year, Brainerd hit its first 70 on March 14.
This past winter saw persistent ridging and warmth across the western half of the U.S., so there hasn’t been much shift in the temperature pattern.
Lately, the ridge has centered more over the Southwest, while the trough in the East is starting to ease as spring gradually takes hold.
…Cooler Sunday…
On Sunday, the Northland will see temperatures dip below normal, with highs ranging from the upper 20s to 30s. Typically, highs on March 22 are in the upper 30s to lower 40s.
There could be some snow showers and flurries in the area on Sunday, and even tonight might bring a few rain or snow showers to parts of the Northland.
Any snow that falls late tonight or on Sunday is expected to be light, with accumulations of less than an inch.
…Lake Superior Ice Coverage Update…
Ice coverage on Lake Superior is still around 30%, a bit below the average for mid to late March. Earlier this winter, it peaked at about 63%.
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