The Climate of Minnesota

Minnesota is located in the Upper Midwest, which means its climate is more varied than most places in the United States. It gets cold in the winter, and hot in the summer, with snow and rain and everything in between coming all year round. Here are some facts about Minnesota’s climate.

Winter

Minnesota has hot summer and cold winters, which means it is categorized as having a continental climate. In the winter, the precipitation is predominantly snow, but there can also be freezing rain. Snow is a big part of winters in Minnesota, with amounts ranging from 170 inches to 10 inches, depending on the area of the state. Blizzards are not uncommon throughout the winter months.

Spring

Since the winter can be so cold, the spring is a time for change. There are often snowstorms in early spring, but temperatures warm in late spring. This drastic change in climate can lead to a risk of tornadoes.

Summer

Like anywhere else in the United States, summers are hot and humid in southern Minnesota, and slightly less so in the northern areas. The humidity can cause thunderstorms for 30-40 days out of the year. Temperatures can get to the mid-80s in the south, and upper 70s in the north. The climate is suitable for growing for 90-160 days in the year. The variation is because of shorter Iron Range growing season when compared to the rest of the state.

Autumn

The fall climate is almost the opposite of the spring. The temperatures can change quickly, which can lead to storm systems, which begin to develop into snow storms by the end of autumn.

Lake effect

Lake Superior is the world’s largest freshwater lake, so it unsurprisingly can have an effect on the climate in the Arrowhead Region that surrounds it. The lake keeps the area cooler in the summer, and warmer in the winter. So the temperature does not fluctuate as much as the rest of the state throughout the year.

When it comes to weather, there is no condition that Minnesota does not experience in some form throughout the year. If you live or travel there, make sure to dress for the elements, as you sometimes do not know what you are going to get.

Reference:

“Climate of Minnesota.” Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 23 Apr. 2017. Web. 25 Apr. 2017.