Minnesota Weather

Minnesota climate

Minnesota has a humid continental climate known for some of the most extreme temperature swings in the contiguous United States. The state has recorded temperatures as low as minus 60 degrees Fahrenheit and as high as 114 degrees, a range of 174 degrees. Winters are long and brutal, with the Twin Cities averaging 54 inches of snowfall and January lows around 6 degrees Fahrenheit.

Severe thunderstorms and tornadoes are significant warm-season hazards in Minnesota, with the southern and western parts of the state being most vulnerable. The state averages about 40 tornadoes per year. Large hail and damaging straight-line winds are common companions to these storms. Blizzards and ice storms are the primary winter hazards, occasionally shutting down highways and stranding travelers.

Despite the harsh winters, Minnesota summers are warm and humid, with average highs in the 80s and occasional heat waves pushing into the upper 90s. The state's 10,000-plus lakes moderate local temperatures and provide recreational relief during summer. Northern Minnesota transitions toward a subarctic climate, with shorter growing seasons and even heavier snowfall than the southern part of the state.