Weather in Minneapolis, Minnesota
Roses Bloom Along the Shelter Rows. Day 59 of spring. Read this microseason across nine climate regions →
When the dew is on the grass, rain will never come to pass.
- Moonrise
- 10:42 AM
- Moonset
- 2:13 AM
- In sign
- ♉︎ Taurus
Roses Bloom Along the Shelter Rows
Minneapolis at a glance
- Today vs. normal: NaN°F below 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 stands as Minneapolis's warmest month with average temperatures around 74°F, while January claims the coldest spot at roughly 15°F. Precipitation follows its own seasonal pattern, peaking in June at 4.8 inches and dropping to its lowest point in February with just 0.9 inches.
| Month | Mean temp | Precip | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 15° | 0.9″ | 3 |
| February | 19° | 0.9″ | 3 |
| March | 32° | 1.6″ | 5 |
| April | 46° | 3.3″ | 7 |
| May | 59° | 4.3″ | 8 |
| June | 69° | 4.8″ | 8 |
| July | 74° | 4.6″ | 7 |
| August | 71° | 4.5″ | 6 |
| September | 63° | 3.4″ | 6 |
| October | 48° | 3.0″ | 6 |
| November | 33° | 1.7″ | 4 |
| December | 21° | 1.3″ | 4 |
Regional context
Minneapolis falls within the warm-summer humid continental climate zone, sharing temperature ranges, seasonal rhythms, and growing conditions with other cities in this regional climate group.
Similar climates: St. Paul, MN, Rochester, MN, Duluth, MN, St. Cloud, MN, Bloomington, MN.
Naturalist notes
American robins typically begin their dawn chorus in earnest during late April, with males establishing territory as daylight hours stretch past 13 hours.
Sugar maple buds start swelling noticeably in early May when soil temperatures reach the mid-40s°F range.
Frequently asked
- When does it freeze in Minneapolis?
- Spring's final frost usually occurs around mid-May in Minneapolis, while the season's first frost typically arrives around mid-October.
- What is the rainy season in Minneapolis?
- June stands as the wettest month, delivering approximately 4.8 inches of rainfall, while the city's annual total reaches roughly 34 inches.
- What is the warmest month in Minneapolis?
- July typically records the highest temperatures, with averages around 74°F.
- What is the coldest month in Minneapolis?
- January brings the coldest conditions, averaging approximately 15°F.
- When can I start a vegetable garden in Minneapolis?
- Cool-season vegetables like peas and lettuce can go into the ground around the last spring frost in mid-May, while heat-loving crops such as tomatoes and peppers should wait another 1–2 weeks.
- How many rainy days does Minneapolis get?
- Minneapolis sees rain on about 66 days per year on average.
- What hardiness zone is Minneapolis?
- Minneapolis's USDA hardiness zone depends on average minimum winter temperatures; the USDA's online zone finder using the city's ZIP code provides the current official designation.
Climate
Minneapolis, Minnesota experiences a warm-summer humid continental climate. Winter temperatures in January typically hover around 15°F, while July brings averages of 74°F — creating a substantial 59°F seasonal swing.
Annual precipitation totals about 34 inches, falling across roughly 66 rainy days throughout the year.
Geography drives the climate patterns here: the city's latitude of 45.0°N, nearby water bodies, and elevation all influence growing seasons, frost timing, and daily weather conditions.