Climate - Minneapolis (Minnesota)

The climate of Minneapolis, the main city of Minnesota, is continental, with very cold winters and hot summers, during which there are quite frequent thunderstorms.
The city is located in the Midwest of the United States, to the west of the Great Lakes, and at the confluence of the Mississippi and Minnesota rivers. Less than 15 km (9 mi) away is the city of Saint Paul, the state capital. In fact, the two cities are merged, and are called "the twin cities".
Minneapolis is famous for being a cold city, and in fact, in winter it is the coldest of the great American cities. For comparison, it is colder than all European capitals, including Moscow. However, there are also noticeable changes in temperature in spring and autumn, and heat waves in summer.
The average temperature of the coldest month (January) is of -8.8 °C (16.2 °F), that of the warmest month (July) is of 23.5 °C (74.3 °F). Here are the average temperatures.

Precipitation amounts to 805 millimeters (31.6 inches) per year: so, it is at an intermediate level. It ranges from 20 mm (0.8 in) in the driest month (February) to 115 mm (4.5 in) in the wettest (June). Here is the average precipitation.

The winter, from mid-November to mid-March, is very cold, with temperatures normally below freezing even during the day.
Cold waves are intense. The temperature drops below -20 °C (-4 °F) every year, and once every few years even below -30 °C (-22 °F). The record is -35.5 °C (-32 °F), recorded in January 1963, January 1977 and February 1996. In January 1977, the monthly average was -17.3 °C (0.85 °F). In recent years, -30 °C (-22 °F) has been reached more rarely, however, in January 2019 the temperature dropped to -33.5 °C (-28 °F).
Snowfalls are frequent, and can sometimes be abundant. In one year, 130 centimeters (51 inches) of snow fall. It usually snows from November to April. On January 22, 1982, 43.5 cm (17 in) of snow fell in one day, while on November 1, 1991, 47 cm (18.5 in) fell.

Summer, from June to August, is hot and sunny, although thunderstorms can break out in the afternoon.
There can sometimes be very hot periods. Typically, the temperature reaches 35/36 °C (95/97 °F) on the hottest days of the year, although the record is 40.5 °C (105 °F), recorded in August 1988.

Spring and autumn, from mid-March to May and from September to mid-November, are contrasted seasons, with fairly frequent rains and sudden changes in temperature. Especially in spring, there can be a change from cold to hot weather in a few days and vice versa. Sometimes, snow or sleet can fall in late April or even in early May, while in late May the temperature can reach 35 °C (95 °F).
Minneapolis is located in the area where tornadoes can form, which are most likely in spring, but can occasionally occur in autumn as well.



On average, there are around 2,710 sunshine hours per year. Therefore, despite the harsh climate, the city receives a good amount of sunshine. Here are the average sunshine hours per day.

Best Time

The best time to visit Minneapolis is early autumn, from September to early October. You can also choose spring, in particular the month of May, which however is a more unstable period.
From June to August, the heat can be acceptable, but at times it can be intense.

Minneapolis - Weather by month

Based on the period 1991-2020

---

In January, the coldest month of the year, the weather in Minneapolis is usually freezing cold. The average temperature is of -8.8 °C (16 °F), with a minimum of -12.9 °C (8.8 °F) and a maximum of -4.7 °C (23.6 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -26 °C (-14.5 °F). However, it dropped to -33.3 °C (-27.9 °F) in January 2019.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 6 °C (42.5 °F). However, it reached 12.2 °C (54 °F) in January 2003.
Precipitation amounts to 25 mm (1 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 10 minutes.
There are on average 5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 55% of the time.
The average humidity is 73%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (9 mph).

---

In February, the weather in Minneapolis is usually freezing cold. The average temperature is of -6.3 °C (21 °F), with a minimum of -10.7 °C (12.7 °F) and a maximum of -1.9 °C (28.5 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -22 °C (-8 °F). However, it dropped to -35.6 °C (-32.1 °F) in February 1996.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 8 °C (47 °F). However, it reached 17.2 °C (63 °F) in February 2017.
Precipitation amounts to 20 mm (0.8 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 30 minutes.
There are on average 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 61% of the time.
The average humidity is 70%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (9 mph).

---

In March, the weather in Minneapolis is usually cold. The average temperature is of 0.7 °C (33 °F), with a minimum of -3.9 °C (24.9 °F) and a maximum of 5.4 °C (41.7 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -16.5 °C (2.5 °F). However, it dropped to -26.1 °C (-15 °F) in March 2014.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 18 °C (64.5 °F). However, it reached 27.2 °C (81 °F) in March 2007.
Precipitation amounts to 45 mm (1.8 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 7 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 58% of the time.
The average humidity is 65%.
The average wind speed is 16 kph (10 mph).

---

In April, the weather in Minneapolis is usually quite mild. The average temperature is of 8.4 °C (47 °F), with a minimum of 3.1 °C (37.5 °F) and a maximum of 13.7 °C (56.6 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -5.5 °C (22 °F). However, it dropped to -15 °C (5 °F) in April 1995.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 26.5 °C (79.5 °F). However, it reached 33 °C (91.4 °F) in April 2002.
Precipitation amounts to 75 mm (3 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 35 minutes.
There are on average 8 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 59% of the time.
The average humidity is 56%.
The average wind speed is 17 kph (11 mph).

---

In May, the weather in Minneapolis is usually very mild. The average temperature is of 15.3 °C (60 °F), with a minimum of 9.9 °C (49.9 °F) and a maximum of 20.7 °C (69.2 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 2 °C (36 °F). However, it dropped to -1.7 °C (28.9 °F) in May 2005.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 31.5 °C (88.5 °F). However, it reached 37.8 °C (100 °F) in May 2018.
Precipitation amounts to 100 mm (3.9 in), distributed over 12 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 55 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 9.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 64% of the time.
The average humidity is 58%.
The average wind speed is 16 kph (10 mph).

---

In June, the weather in Minneapolis is usually warm. The average temperature is of 20.9 °C (70 °F), with a minimum of 15.8 °C (60.4 °F) and a maximum of 26.1 °C (79 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 8.5 °C (47.5 °F). However, it dropped to 3 °C (37.4 °F) in June 1998.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 34 °C (93.5 °F). However, it reached 39.4 °C (102.9 °F) in June 2011.
Precipitation amounts to 115 mm (4.5 in), distributed over 12 days.
The day lasts on average 15 hours and 35 minutes. So the days are long. June 21, the summer solstice, is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 10.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 69% of the time.
The average humidity is 62%.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (9 mph).

---

In July, the warmest month of the year, the weather in Minneapolis is usually warm to hot. The average temperature is of 23.5 °C (74 °F), with a minimum of 18.5 °C (65.3 °F) and a maximum of 28.6 °C (83.4 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 12.5 °C (54.5 °F). However, it dropped to 7.8 °C (46 °F) in July 1995.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 34.5 °C (94.5 °F). However, it reached 38.9 °C (102 °F) in July 2012.
Precipitation amounts to 105 mm (4.1 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 15 hours and 10 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 11.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 75% of the time.
The average humidity is 64%.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (8 mph).

---

In August, the weather in Minneapolis is usually warm. The average temperature is of 22.1 °C (72 °F), with a minimum of 17.1 °C (62.8 °F) and a maximum of 27.1 °C (80.7 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 11.5 °C (52.5 °F). However, it dropped to 6.7 °C (44.1 °F) in August 2004.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 33.5 °C (92.5 °F). However, it reached 38.3 °C (100.9 °F) in August 2006.
Precipitation amounts to 110 mm (4.3 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 10 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 71% of the time.
The average humidity is 67%.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).

---

In September, the weather in Minneapolis is usually very mild. The average temperature is of 17.5 °C (64 °F), with a minimum of 12.3 °C (54.2 °F) and a maximum of 22.7 °C (72.9 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 3.5 °C (38.5 °F). However, it dropped to -1.7 °C (28.9 °F) in September 1991.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 31.5 °C (88.5 °F). However, it reached 35 °C (95 °F) in September 2012.
Precipitation amounts to 75 mm (3 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 30 minutes.
There are on average 8 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 62% of the time.
The average humidity is 67%.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (9 mph).

---

In October, the weather in Minneapolis is usually mild. The average temperature is of 9.7 °C (49 °F), with a minimum of 4.9 °C (40.9 °F) and a maximum of 14.5 °C (58.1 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -3 °C (26.5 °F). However, it dropped to -8.9 °C (16 °F) in October 2020.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 27 °C (81 °F). However, it reached 32 °C (89.6 °F) in October 1997.
Precipitation amounts to 65 mm (2.6 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 55 minutes.
There are on average 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 53% of the time.
The average humidity is 66%.
The average wind speed is 16 kph (10 mph).

---

In November, the weather in Minneapolis is usually cold. The average temperature is of 1.6 °C (35 °F), with a minimum of -2.4 °C (27.7 °F) and a maximum of 5.5 °C (41.9 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -12.5 °C (9.5 °F). However, it dropped to -22.8 °C (-9 °F) in November 1996.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 17 °C (62.5 °F). However, it reached 25 °C (77 °F) in November 1999.
Precipitation amounts to 40 mm (1.6 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 30 minutes.
There are on average 4 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 40% of the time.
The average humidity is 70%.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (10 mph).

---

In December, the weather in Minneapolis is usually freezing cold. The average temperature is of -5.6 °C (22 °F), with a minimum of -9.3 °C (15.2 °F) and a maximum of -1.8 °C (28.8 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -21.5 °C (-6.5 °F). However, it dropped to -30 °C (-22 °F) in December 1996.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 8.5 °C (47.5 °F). However, it reached 19 °C (66.2 °F) in December 1998.
Precipitation amounts to 30 mm (1.2 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 8 hours and 50 minutes. December 21, the winter solstice, is the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 3.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 42% of the time.
The average humidity is 75%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (9 mph).