Honestly, if you've lived in Minnesota long enough, you know the drill. You wake up, check the thermometer, and decide exactly how many layers of wool you're going to need to survive the walk to the car. But the white bear lake forecast for this week is doing that classic Midwestern thing where it teases you with a "warm" afternoon before slamming the door with an Arctic blast.
Right now, as of early Thursday morning, January 15, 2026, it’s a crisp 10°F out there. It’s nighttime, mostly cloudy, and the wind is barely a whisper at 1 mph from the west.
But don't let that stillness fool you.
The Snow is Coming (And It’s Not Just a Flurry)
Thursday is looking like a bit of a mess. We’re expecting a high of 35°F, which sounds great until you realize it’s bringing light snow with it. There is a 35% chance of precipitation during the day, jumping up to 45% for snow showers tonight.
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South winds will be kicking up to 12 mph. Basically, it’s going to be that heavy, wet slush that makes the roads around the lake feel like a skating rink. If you're commuting on Highway 61, give yourself an extra ten minutes. Seriously.
Why Friday Changes Everything
Tomorrow, Friday, January 16, the high stays near 32°F, but the wind shifts to the west and cranks up to 18 mph. Snow showers are likely throughout the day.
Then the floor drops out.
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The low for Friday night hits 10°F. By Saturday, we’re looking at a high of only 10°F and a low of 3°F. If you were planning on hitting the ice for some fishing, Saturday is going to be brutal with 16 mph winds coming from the northwest.
Ice Conditions: What the Locals are Seeing
I was looking at some recent reports, and ice depths on the lake are currently hovering between 17 and 20 inches, though that varies a lot depending on where you are. Recent 40-degree spikes earlier in the week actually melted some of the surface snow, which sounds good for travel, but it’s making things sloppy.
- Ice Safety: Always check for pressure ridges. They've been moving a bit lately with the temp swings.
- The Bite: Word is the Walleye are hitting at night in the shallower reefs, but you've gotta work for them.
- The Weekend Outlook: With the cold snap hitting Saturday, the ice should firm up significantly, but the wind chill will be a beast.
The Long-Range Reality Check
Looking further out into next week, the white bear lake forecast stays pretty much in the deep freeze. Monday, January 19, is looking particularly gnarly with a high of only 3°F and a low of -3°F.
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January is statistically the coldest month for us, with an average low of 9°F and high of 24°F. We are currently right in the thick of it. The cloud cover is also constant—about 59% of the time, it's just grey. That’s just life in Ramsey County this time of year.
Actionable Next Steps for White Bear Lake Residents
- Bank the House: If you have a fish house out, today’s 35% chance of fresh snow will actually help with banking it before the Saturday freeze.
- Check Your Battery: That -3°F low on Monday is exactly the kind of temp that kills older car batteries. If yours is more than four years old, get it tested today while it's still "warm."
- Salt Early: With the 35°F high today dropping to 12°F tonight, anything that melts is going to turn into a sheet of black ice by tomorrow morning. Salt your walkways before the sun goes down.
- Watch the Wind: Saturday’s 16 mph northwest wind will make that 10°F high feel way below zero. If you're out on the lake, make sure your heater is fueled up and your vents are clear.
Stay warm out there. It’s a long way to March, but at least the days are getting a few minutes longer every afternoon.