Weather in St. Paul, Minnesota
Roses Bloom Along the Shelter Rows. Day 59 of spring. Read this microseason across nine climate regions →
- TodayMay 16Partly Cloudy—79°55°
- SundayMay 17Rain57%67°54°
- MondayMay 18Light Showers83%63°56°
- TuesdayMay 19Drizzle83%55°46°
- WednesdayMay 20Overcast—61°45°
- ThursdayMay 21Overcast14%64°44°
- FridayMay 22Drizzle14%55°48°
- PM 2.5
- 6.1 μg/m³
- PM 10
- 7.2 μg/m³
- NO₂
- 5.4 μg/m³
- Ozone
- 101.0 μg/m³
- UV Index
- 0.1 Low
When the dew is on the grass, rain will never come to pass.
- Moonrise
- 10:41 AM
- Moonset
- 2:12 AM
- In sign
- ♉︎ Taurus
Roses Bloom Along the Shelter Rows
St. Paul at a glance
- Today vs. normal: 6°F above the seasonal normal for this latitude
- Last frost: May 16 (climatological average for this latitude)
- Microseason: 28 of 72, May 16–20
- Planting window: Direct sow okra, melons, and southern peas. Thin carrot rows.
Right now in the garden
Cool-season window is open
As of May 17, the cool-season window is open or about to open. Direct-sow peas, lettuce, spinach, radishes, and brassicas now. Hold off on warm-season crops until 1–2 weeks after the last spring frost (around May).
Planting calendar
| Month | Plant | Harvest |
|---|---|---|
| January | — | — |
| February | — | — |
| March | — | — |
| April | — | — |
| May | lettuce, peas, spinach, radishes | lettuce, peas, radishes |
| June | lettuce, peas, spinach, radishes, tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash | lettuce, peas, radishes |
| July | tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash | tomatoes, beans, summer squash |
| August | tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash, fall brassicas, garlic (overwinter), carrots | tomatoes, beans, summer squash |
| September | fall brassicas, garlic (overwinter), carrots | tomatoes, beans, summer squash |
| October | — | winter squash, tomatoes (last) |
| November | — | — |
| December | — | — |
A year in weather
July brings St. Paul's warmest temperatures at around 73°F mean, while January delivers the coldest at approximately 16°F. June sees peak rainfall at 4.6 inches, compared to January's minimal 0.5 inches.
| Month | Mean temp | Precip | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 16° | 0.5″ | 1 |
| February | 21° | 0.5″ | 1 |
| March | 33° | 1.4″ | 4 |
| April | 47° | 2.6″ | 6 |
| May | 59° | 4.0″ | 8 |
| June | 69° | 4.6″ | 8 |
| July | 73° | 4.0″ | 6 |
| August | 71° | 4.1″ | 6 |
| September | 63° | 3.1″ | 5 |
| October | 49° | 2.5″ | 5 |
| November | 35° | 1.3″ | 3 |
| December | 22° | 0.7″ | 2 |
Regional context
The city falls within a warm-summer humid continental climate region, sharing similar temperature ranges, seasonal patterns, and growing conditions with nearby cities in this climate zone.
Similar climates: Minneapolis, MN, Rochester, MN, Duluth, MN, St. Cloud, MN, Bloomington, MN.
Naturalist notes
Late May brings the first blooms of common lilac throughout St. Paul's neighborhoods.
American robins typically begin their second nesting cycle during early June as daylight reaches its annual peak.
Frequently asked
- When does it freeze in St. Paul?
- The last spring frost typically occurs around mid-May, while the first fall frost arrives around mid-October.
- What is the rainy season in St. Paul?
- June receives the most rainfall at approximately 4.6 inches on average, with the city getting roughly 29 inches annually.
- What is the warmest month in St. Paul?
- July typically brings the warmest temperatures, averaging about 73°F.
- What is the coldest month in St. Paul?
- January typically brings the coldest temperatures, averaging about 16°F.
- When can I start a vegetable garden in St. Paul?
- Cool-season crops like peas and lettuce can be planted around the last spring frost in mid-May, while warm-season crops such as tomatoes and peppers should wait 1–2 weeks after.
- How many rainy days does St. Paul get?
- The city averages about 54 rainy days per year.
- What hardiness zone is St. Paul?
- Check the USDA's online lookup tool with the city ZIP code for St. Paul's current hardiness zone designation, which is based on the lowest average winter temperature.
Climate
St. Paul, Minnesota experiences a warm-summer humid continental climate. January temperatures hover near 16°F while July averages 73°F, creating a 57°F seasonal swing.
Annual precipitation totals about 29 inches across roughly 54 rainy days throughout the year.
Several factors shape the local weather patterns: latitude at 44.9°N, proximity to large water bodies, and elevation. These elements determine growing conditions, frost timing, and daily weather variations.