Today's barometric pressure in Rochester, a 48-hour pressure chart, and a risk score for weather-triggered migraine and headache, based on pressure drops, humidity, and temperature changes.
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Rochester sits at 312 metres on southeastern Minnesota's rolling uplands, where the Zumbro River has cut into the plateau. Baseline pressure near 978 hPa reflects that elevation, and cold-season swings reach 14 hPa.
Worst season for migraines: December, February and March. December is the sharpest month here, when the first sustained Arctic air of the season collides with moisture still lingering from autumn. That pattern repeats through late winter as each successive outbreak arrives colder than the last.
Common triggers in Rochester: Arctic outbreaks meeting residual autumn moisture, Driftless terrain cold air pooling, long-duration pressure declines ahead of Colorado lows. Southeastern Minnesota sits at the edge of the Driftless Area, terrain the glaciers never flattened, so the landscape is unusually broken for the upper Midwest. River valleys hold cold air while the uplands stay several degrees warmer. Winter storms tracking from the southwest bring the region's heaviest snow, and their approach is often preceded by a long slow pressure decline.
Typical pressure: Rochester averages 978 hPa at rest, measured at the city's own elevation rather than corrected to sea level, and storm systems can push readings down to 961 hPa. Swings of 6-14 hPa over 24 hours are common during active weather and fall within the range most associated with pressure-triggered migraines.
2026 index: Rochester is not one of the 100 metros ranked in our 2026 U.S. Migraine Risk Index, which shows how they compare.
Can Rochester weather trigger migraines?
Yes. Rochester experiences 6-14 hPa barometric pressure swings, and research shows pressure drops are one of the most common migraine triggers. The city's specific patterns include Arctic outbreaks meeting residual autumn moisture, Driftless terrain cold air pooling, long-duration pressure declines ahead of Colorado lows.
What time of year are migraines worst in Rochester?
In Rochester the most barometrically volatile stretch of the year falls in December, February and March. That is when weather is most likely to play a part, if weather is a trigger for you at all. See when migraine weather season starts across the U.S.
Is there a barometric pressure headache forecast for Rochester?
This page works as one. Many people call a headache that arrives with a weather change a barometric pressure headache, and this forecast tracks the pressure drops, humidity and temperature swings behind that idea. The score covers the next 24 hours in Rochester and the chart shows the next 48. It is built on migraine research, so treat it as a rough guide for other headaches. A sudden, severe headache needs urgent medical care, whatever the weather.
Your own forecast
This page shows the weather risk for everyone in Rochester. The MigrAid app learns yours. It saves the barometric pressure, humidity and temperature with every migraine you log, shows whether Rochester's swings really line up with your attacks, and alerts you when conditions match your own trigger history.