Minnesota is second northernmost located sate after Alaska. It is in Middle-West region and borders with Canada. The state has no coasts. Instead there are almost 12 000 lakes scattered over its territory. Central and southern parts of the state have plain relief. North-eastern third of the state is covered with forests. Western and north-western portions are prairie.

Climate of the state is considered as temperate. Snow and temperatures below freezing are common in Minnesota, especially in northern half of the state. Weather extremes, such as tornadoes, derechos or blizzards occur in Minnesota too, but less frequently than in other states. Abundant amount of snow in winter is almost single possible concern, wherein summers are usually pleasantly warm with moderate precipitation.

Seasons

Contents:

• Spring
• Summer
• Autumn
• Winter

Spring in Minnesota

Spring is uncertain season. It may come in late February with melting of snow or linger to very May. And even when it finally there, a day with above 68 °F (20 °C) might be followed by a day with snow. But in general the season is about continuous warming from 37 °F (3 °C) in March to  68 °F (20 °C) in May. At night temperatures hold positions below freezing to middle of April and in average grow from 17 °F (-8 °C) to 43 °F (6 °C) through the season.

Precipitation grows with temperature. Early in season snow is alternated by sleet and pure rain falls later, but not very often. Once snow and ice had gone is it time to put out your loyal bike or sturdy boots to explore magnificent scenery of Minnesota.

Climate of the Spring Months

March Max average t°: 40 °F (+4 °C) Min average t°: 22 °F (-6 °C) Sundial in the day: 7 hours Rainy days: 10 days Precipitation: 1.9" (47 mm)

April Max average t°: 58 °F (+14 °C) Min average t°: 35 °F (+2 °C) Sundial in the day: 8 hours Rainy days: 11 days Precipitation: 2.5" (63 mm)

May Max average t°: 71 °F (+21.5 °C) Min average t°: 47 °F (+8 °C) Sundial in the day: 9 hours Rainy days: 11 days Precipitation: 3.5" (89 mm)

(St. Paul)

Spring holidays

March – International festival of Owls (Huston), Celtic Festival (Moorhead), Spring Carnival and Slush Cup (Biwabik).

April – World Festival (Rochester).

May – Festival of Nations, MayDay Parade & Festival, Cinco de Mayo (Minneapolis – Saint Paul), Homegrown Music Festival (Duluth).

Summer in Minnesota

Summer is the busiest season because locals are traveling on a par with visitors. Numerous bodies of water accumulate avid fishermen, swimmers and just people that are fond of gorgeous nature. Summer afternoons are having temperature of 75-80 °F (24-27 °C) with Jul being the warmest month. Cooler days occur too, but not that often.

Some basic layering is necessary for much cooler nights with range of average temperatures between 52 °F (11 °C) and 61 °F (16 °C). Summer is the rainiest season with several fast showers per month. Almost half of average annual amount of rainfall is in summer.

Climate of the Summer Months

June Max average t°: 79 °F (+26 °C) Min average t°: 57 °F (+14 °C) Sundial in the day: 11 hours Rainy days: 11 days Precipitation: 4.3" (110 mm)

July Max average t°: 84 °F (+29 °C) Min average t°: 62 °F (+17 °C) Sundial in the day: 11 hours Rainy days: 9 days Precipitation: 4.0" (101 mm)

August Max average t°: 81 °F (+27 °C) Min average t°: 60 °F (+15 °C) Sundial in the day: 10 hours Rainy days: 10 days Precipitation: 4.0" (101 mm)

(St. Paul)

Summer holidays

June – Nisswa-Stamman Scandinavian Folk Music Festival (Nisswa), Twin Cities Pride Festival (Minneapolis).

First Sunday in June – Grand Old Day (Minneapolis – Saint Paul), Grand Celebration Powwow (Hinckley), Scandinavian Hjemkomst Festival (Moorhead).

July – Minneapolis Aquatennial, Dragon Festival (Saint Paul).

July-August – Sommerfest Minneapolis.

August – Bayfront Blues Festival (Duluth), Irish Fair Minnesota (Harriet Island, Saint Paul), Barnesville Potato Days.

August-September – Minnesota State Fair (Saint Paul), Minnesota Renaissance Festival (Shakopee).

Autumn in Minnesota

First of all autumn in Minnesota is comfortable for traveling due to lower accommodation pricing and fewer visitors. September and first half of October are comfortable in terms of weather too. Summer rains and mosquitoes gone and temperature slowly drops from 68 °F (20 °C) to 55 °F (13 °C).

Year to year variation of weather in second half of the season is between cool and cold. Usually in November afternoons are as cool as 37 °F (3 °C) and nights are actually chilly with average of 21 °F (-6 °C). On the other hand, some year’s mild autumn weather persists to very December.

Climate of the Autumn Months

September Max average t°: 72 °F (+22 °C) Min average t°: 50 °F (+10 °C) Sundial in the day: 8 hours Rainy days: 10 days Precipitation: 3.1" (79 mm)

October Max average t°: 60 °F (+15 °C) Min average t°: 39 °F (+4 °C) Sundial in the day: 6 hours Rainy days: 8 days Precipitation: 2.2" (57 mm)

November Max average t°: 42 °F (+5 °C) Min average t°: 26 °F (-3 °C) Sundial in the day: 4 hours Rainy days: 9 days Precipitation: 1.6" (40 mm)

(St. Paul)

Autumn holidays

September – Steam Threshers Reunion (Rollag), Grape stomp and Fall Festival (Alexandria), Art along the lake (Lake Superior).

October – New Ulm Oktoberfest, Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon.

First weekend in October – Big Island Rendezvous and Festival (Albert Lea).

November – Bentleyville Tour of Lights (Duluth), Night We Light (Bemidji), Frost Fest (Baudette), Hmong New Year (Saint Paul).

Winter in Minnesota

Cold, fluffy snow and ice on lakes are winter in Minnesota. Temperature is below freezing through whole season. It may seem not the best conditions to visit the state, but there certainly is some kind of magic in it. Through December to mid-January it cools down to 19 °F (-7 °C) at afternoon and 0 °F (-18 °C) at night, but then averages grow back to 36 °F (3 °C) and 5 °F (-15 °C) respectively.

Winter is beauty in Minnesota. Evergreen forests covered with snow are great. Every kind of winter sports is excellent due to dry and cold weather. Though visitors should mind winter blizzards and perform respective precaution measures.

Climate of the Winter Months

December Max average t°: 27 °F (-3 °C) Min average t°: 11 °F (-12 °C) Sundial in the day: 4 hours Snowy days: 10 days Precipitation: 1.1" (27 mm)

January Max average t°: 22.5 °F (-5 °C) Min average t°: 4 °F (-16 °C) Sundial in the day: 5 hours Snowy days: 9 days Precipitation: 0.9" (22 mm)

February Max average t°: 29 °F (-2 °C) Min average t°: 10 °F (-12 °C) Sundial in the day: 6 hours Snowy days: 7 days Precipitation: 0.9" (22 mm)

(St. Paul)

Winter holidays

December – Folkways of the Holidays (Shakopee), Winterfest (Luverne), Winter Walk (Northfield), Ica Candle Celebration (Embarrass).

January – Mankato craft beer expo.

January-February – Saint Paul Winter Carnival, John Beargrease sled dog marathon (Duluth).

February – Grumpy Old Men Festival (Wabasha), International Eelpout Festival (Leech Lake), Gulf Lake Frozen Fore.