Weather in Duluth

Planning your day in Duluth or just want to stay updated on weather conditions? Below is the most up-to-date information, including forecasts and useful charts to help you plan your time in Duluth, United States.

The climate of Duluth, located in the United States, can be described as continental, with four distinct seasons. This means travelers can expect significant temperature contrasts throughout the year. Winters here are cold, while summers are warm and pleasant, making every season attractive for visiting in its own way.

Winter months, especially January and February, are characterized by average temperatures around -9°C, creating a true winter atmosphere. With the arrival of spring, temperatures gradually rise, reaching an average of +11.4°C by May. Summer in Duluth is warm, with average temperatures around +20°C in July and August, which is ideal for outdoor activities. Autumn brings a gradual cooling, preparing the city for a new winter. Notably, precipitation levels in Duluth remain relatively low throughout the year (from 1 to 4 mm per month), although the number of days with precipitation varies, peaking in the warm months (up to 12 days), which is worth considering when planning activities.

Duluth experiences significant annual temperature variations, typical of a continental climate. The coldest months are traditionally January and February. During these months, the average air temperature hovers around -9°C to -10°C, while nighttime lows can drop to -13.3°C in January and even -13.8°C in February. Conversely, the peak of warmth occurs in July, when the average temperature is a comfortable +20.3°C, and daily highs regularly reach +24.5°C. August is also very warm, with an average temperature of +19.6°C.

Summer months in Duluth, especially July and August, are characterized by pleasantly warm weather. During the day, air temperatures most often range from +23°C to +25°C, creating excellent conditions for walking and outdoor recreation. However, it is worth noting that even in summer, daily temperature fluctuations are quite noticeable: the difference between daily highs and nightly lows can be around 8-9°C. For example, in June, with a daily high of +21.8°C, the nighttime temperature can drop to +12.5°C, so light outerwear for evening walks will not be amiss.

Winter in Duluth is distinguished by frosty weather. From December to February, temperatures are consistently below freezing. In January, the coldest month, the average daytime temperature is about -6.1°C, and at night the thermometer can drop to -13.3°C. February is not much warmer, with daily highs around -5.1°C and nightly lows down to -13.8°C. The temperature difference between day and night in winter is also palpable, averaging 6-8°C, which emphasizes the severe character of the winter season in this region of the United States. Travelers planning a visit during the winter period should take care to bring warm, layered clothing.

In Duluth, precipitation falls throughout the year, but the total amount remains comparatively low. There is no clearly defined rainy season with high precipitation volumes here, but periods with more frequent precipitation and changes in its type depending on the time of year can be distinguished.

The winter months, from December to February, as well as often March and November, are characterized by precipitation primarily in the form of snow, as temperatures at this time are usually below freezing. At the same time, January and February are the "driest" months in terms of total precipitation volume (only 1 mm each), although it snows on average 6-7 days in each of these months. In March and November, the amount of precipitation increases slightly to 2 mm, with the number of snowy days being 7 and 9 respectively.

During the warmer period, from April to October, precipitation falls as rain. The highest amount of precipitation, although still moderate, falls in August and September (4 mm each). Regarding frequency, the "wettest" months by the number of days with precipitation are April, July, August, and October – each of these months sees about 12 days with rain. This suggests that, despite small volumes, rain during these periods can be a fairly regular occurrence, likely in the form of light or moderate showers.

When packing for a trip to Duluth, it is important to consider significant seasonal weather fluctuations. In winter (from December to February), you will need very warm clothing: a down jacket or parka designed for severe frosts (average temperatures around -9°C, with lows down to -13°C), a hat, scarf, gloves or mittens, as well as thermal underwear and insulated waterproof boots, since precipitation at this time of year falls mainly as snow. Even in transitional months, such as March or November, when temperatures hover around freezing, warm clothes and wind protection will be absolutely necessary.

In summer (from June to August), the weather in Duluth becomes significantly warmer, with average temperatures ranging from +17°C to +20°C. For this period, light clothing, T-shirts, and shorts are suitable, but it is also worth taking a sweater or light jacket for evening walks, as evenings can be cool. Given that there are up to 12 days with precipitation in the summer months, a compact umbrella or raincoat will be a useful addition to your luggage. Sunscreen and a hat will also come in handy on clear days. In spring (April-May) and autumn (September-October), the weather is very changeable: temperatures can vary from cool to moderately warm. In these seasons, the principle of layering is especially relevant: a waterproof jacket, a fleece sweater, and several layers of clothing that can be easily removed or put on will help you adapt to weather changes.

Regardless of the time of year, comfortable closed-toe shoes, preferably with non-slip soles, will always be useful for walking around Duluth and its surroundings, especially if you plan to explore nature trails. Considering that precipitation, though not abundant, is regular, water-repellent properties for outerwear and footwear will be an advantage. Do not forget an adapter for electrical appliances if necessary for your equipment, and, of course, a camera to capture the beauty of this American city.