Weather in Minneapolis

Planning your day in Minneapolis? Check out the latest weather updates, forecasts, and useful charts right in this section.

Minneapolis, located in the United States, is characterised by a continental climate with four distinct seasons. This means that travellers can expect significant temperature fluctuations throughout the year, ranging from freezing winters to warm, and sometimes hot, summers. When planning a trip, it is worth considering these seasonal changes to select appropriate clothing and plan activities.

Winters in Minneapolis (from December to February) are cold, with average temperatures significantly below zero, often dropping to -7°C and even -12°C. During this period, a small amount of precipitation falls, which is likely to be in the form of snow. Summer (from June to August), by contrast, is warm and sunny. Average temperatures rise to +22-24°C, while maximums can reach +28°C. The summer months are also characterised by low rainfall amounts distributed over several days.

Spring (March-May) and Autumn (September-November) are transitional seasons with gradual temperature changes. In spring, the temperature rises rapidly from cool to warm, while in autumn, conversely, it drops from comfortable to cool. Precipitation is generally low throughout the year, making the city pleasant to visit in any season, provided you choose the right wardrobe.

The temperature regime in Minneapolis demonstrates a distinct continental character with significant fluctuations throughout the year. The annual temperature range is quite wide: from severe winter frosts to hot summer days. The hottest month is traditionally July, when the average air temperature is +23.7°C, and daytime highs can reach +28.5°C. Conversely, the coldest months are January and February, with average temperatures around -7.9°C and -7.6°C respectively, while minimum nighttime temperatures can drop to -11.8°C in January and even down to -12.5°C in February.

Summer in Minneapolis, covering the period from June to August, is characterised as warm and sometimes hot. Daily average temperatures in June are around +22.1°C, rising to +23.7°C in July, and holding at +22.2°C in August. Daytime temperature peaks in these months often exceed +26°C, reaching +28.5°C in July. Nights generally remain quite warm, with minimum temperatures from +17.1°C to +18.9°C. Daily temperature fluctuations in summer are noticeable: the difference between the daytime maximum and nighttime minimum can be around 9-10°C, providing some relief after the daytime heat.

The winter period, from December to February, brings real frosts to Minneapolis. The average temperature in December is -4.3°C, dropping to -7.9°C in January and -7.6°C in February. Nighttime temperatures in these months consistently stay significantly below zero, reaching extreme lows of down to -12.5°C. Even daytime maximum temperatures in the height of winter often do not rise above -2°C or -4°C. As in summer, perceptible daily temperature changes are observed in winter, averaging from 7 to 10°C, which means that even after a relatively "warm" winter day, the night can bring a severe drop in temperature.

In Minneapolis, precipitation is observed throughout the year, although its amount and nature change noticeably depending on the season. In winter, from December to February, as well as in November, when temperatures consistently stay below zero, precipitation mainly falls as snow. With the arrival of spring (March-May) and during the summer months (June-August), the amount of precipitation and the number of days with it increases, taking the form of rain.

Speaking of the wettest and driest periods, the peak of precipitation in Minneapolis falls in August, when an average of 5 mm falls and there are about 13 days with precipitation. May is also a relatively wet month with 4 mm of precipitation. April, June, July, and September are characterised by approximately 3 mm of precipitation each. The driest months, in terms of total rainfall volume, are January, February, and November, when only 1 mm falls. January is also distinguished by the fewest number of days with precipitation — just 6 days.

There is no pronounced heavy rainy season in Minneapolis. Precipitation is distributed throughout the year, albeit with some increase during the warm period. The highest frequency of precipitation is observed from April to August, when the number of days with rain or snow varies from 11 to 13 per month. Winter precipitation typically consists of light snow, given its small volume (1-2 mm). In the warm months, it is likely to be rain, but without the extreme downpours characteristic of a monsoon climate. Thus, although the likelihood of encountering precipitation is higher in spring and summer, it is usually not too intense or prolonged.

To make your trip to Minneapolis as comfortable as possible, it is important to select your wardrobe correctly, considering the distinct change of seasons. Regardless of the time of year, comfortable walking shoes will be your best companion for exploring the city. The key principle when packing your suitcase is layering. This allows you to easily adapt to weather changes throughout the day and the temperature difference between indoors and outdoors, which is especially relevant for the climate of Minneapolis.

In winter (from December to February, as well as in the cold periods of November and March), Minneapolis can be truly freezing, with average temperatures significantly below zero, snowfall, and potential piercing winds. You will need very warm clothes: a windproof and insulated waterproof jacket or down jacket, thermal underwear, wool or fleece sweaters, a hat covering your ears, a scarf, and warm gloves or mittens. Do not forget waterproof and insulated shoes with non-slip soles to move confidently along the streets, especially considering the small but regular snowfall.

The summer months (June to August) in Minneapolis are warm, and sometimes hot, so pack light, breathable clothing: t-shirts, shorts, sundresses. Be sure to bring sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses. Evenings can be cooler, so a light jacket or cardigan will come in handy. In summer, especially in August, as well as in late spring (May), rain is possible, so a small umbrella or light raincoat will not be amiss. For spring (April-May) and autumn (September-October), choose transitional clothing: a medium-weight jacket, jeans, sweaters, and be ready for changeable weather by applying the layering principle again and grabbing an umbrella in case of rainy days, which are more likely in April and May.