The best times to visit Northwest Minnesota for ideal weather are
May 21st to September 9th
based on average temperature and humidity from NOAA (the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration). Read below for more weather and travel details.
Northwest Minnesota Travel Guide
Other Northwest Minnesota Travel Info
Weather in Northwest Minnesota
Temperature
Average temperatures in Northwest Minnesota vary an incredible amount. Considering humidity, temperatures feel cold for about half of the year and otherwise nice with a low chance of precipitation most of the year. The area is somewhat temperate — in the 42nd percentile for pleasant weather — compared to tourist destinations worldwide. Weeks with ideal weather are listed above. If you’re looking for the very warmest time to visit Northwest Minnesota, the hottest months are July, August, and then June. See average monthly temperatures below. The warmest time of year is generally early July where highs are regularly around 80°F (26.7°C) with temperatures rarely dropping below 58.5°F (14.7°C) at night.
Northwest Minnesota Temperatures (Fahrenheit)
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Northwest Minnesota Temperatures (Celsius)
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“Feels-Like” Temperatures
The way we experience weather isn’t all about temperature. Higher temperatures affect us much more at higher humidity, and colder temperatures feel piercing with high winds. Our perceived temperatures factor in humidity and wind chill to better represent how hot or cold the day feels to a person.
Northwest Minnesota Perceived Temperature (F)
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Northwest Minnesota Perceived Temperature (C)
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Average Northwest Minnesota Temperatures by Month
Daily highs (averaged for the month) usually give the best indication of the weather. A significantly lower mean and low generally just means it gets colder at night.
Show Fahrenheit
| Month | Avg. High (°F) | Avg. Mean (°F) | Avg. Low (°F) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 15.4 | 6.3 | -2.4 |
| Feb | 17.3 | 7.7 | -0.8 |
| Mar | 34.8 | 24.9 | 16.8 |
| Apr | 51.5 | 40.3 | 31.1 |
| May | 65.5 | 53.4 | 43.2 |
| Jun | 74.3 | 63.5 | 54 |
| Jul | 79.4 | 68.3 | 58 |
| Aug | 78.2 | 66.2 | 55.8 |
| Sep | 70.2 | 57.9 | 47.8 |
| Oct | 54.7 | 44.7 | 36.8 |
| Nov | 36.9 | 28.4 | 21.3 |
| Dec | 18.9 | 11.4 | 4 |
Show Celsius
| Month | Avg. High (°C) | Avg. Mean (°C) | Avg. Low (°C) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | -9.2 | -14.3 | -19.1 |
| Feb | -8.2 | -13.5 | -18.2 |
| Mar | 1.6 | -3.9 | -8.4 |
| Apr | 10.8 | 4.6 | -0.5 |
| May | 18.6 | 11.9 | 6.2 |
| Jun | 23.5 | 17.5 | 12.2 |
| Jul | 26.3 | 20.2 | 14.4 |
| Aug | 25.7 | 19 | 13.2 |
| Sep | 21.2 | 14.4 | 8.8 |
| Oct | 12.6 | 7.1 | 2.7 |
| Nov | 2.7 | -2 | -5.9 |
| Dec | -7.3 | -11.4 | -15.6 |
Precipitation (Rain or Snow)
If dry weather is what you’re after, the months with the lowest chance of significant precipitation in Northwest Minnesota are January, November, and then February. Note that we define “significant precipitation” as .1 inches or more in this section. The lowest chance of rain or snow occurs around late January and early February. For example, on the week of January 29th there are no days of precipitation on average. By contrast, it’s most likely to rain or snow in early to mid May with an average of 2 days of significant precipitation the week of May 7th.
When can you find snow in Northwest Minnesota? Weather stations report no annual snow. Please note that a value of 0 for snow in the graph below may either mean there was no snow, or that snow is unreported.
Chance of Precipitation
The graph below shows the % chance of rainy and snowy days in Northwest Minnesota.
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Snow on the Ground
The graph below shows the average snow on the ground in Northwest Minnesota (in).
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Average Rain and Snow by Month
Show Inches
| Month | Daily Chance of Rain | Average Snow Depth (in) | Total Precipitation (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 7% | 0 | 0.6 |
| Feb | 7% | 0 | 0.6 |
| Mar | 10% | 0 | 1.1 |
| Apr | 12% | 0 | 1.6 |
| May | 22% | 0 | 3 |
| Jun | 22% | 0 | 4.2 |
| Jul | 17% | 0 | 3.6 |
| Aug | 14% | 0 | 2.2 |
| Sep | 15% | 0 | 2.6 |
| Oct | 14% | 0 | 2.2 |
| Nov | 7% | 0 | 0.8 |
| Dec | 8% | 0 | 0.9 |
Show Centimeters
| Month | Daily Chance of Rain | Average Snow Depth (cm) | Total Precipitation (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 7 | 0 | 1.5 |
| Feb | 7 | 0 | 1.5 |
| Mar | 10 | 0 | 2.8 |
| Apr | 12 | 0 | 4.1 |
| May | 22 | 0 | 7.6 |
| Jun | 22 | 0 | 10.7 |
| Jul | 17 | 0 | 9.1 |
| Aug | 14 | 0 | 5.6 |
| Sep | 15 | 0 | 6.6 |
| Oct | 14 | 0 | 5.6 |
| Nov | 7 | 0 | 2 |
| Dec | 8 | 0 | 2.3 |
Humidity and Wind
Northwest Minnesota has some very humid months, with other comfortably humid months. The least humid month is April (50.4% relative humidity), and the most humid month is December (71.7%).
Wind in Northwest Minnesota is usually moderate. The windiest month is May, followed by April and November. May’s average wind speed of around 9.7 knots (11.1 MPH or 17.9 KPH) is considered “a gentle breeze.” Maximum sustained winds (the highest speed for the day lasting more than a few moments) are at their highest in early May where average top sustained speeds reach 18.2 knots, which is considered a fresh breeze.
Relative Humidity (%)
The graph below shows the average % humidity by month in Northwest Minnesota.
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Wind
The graph below shows wind speed (max and average) in knots.
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Average Wind Speeds
Show Wind Speeds
All wind speeds are in knots. 1 knot = 1.15 MPH or 1.85 KPH.
| Month | Avg. Wind | Avg. Wind Feel | Sustained High Wind | High Wind Feel |
| Jan | 9.2 | Gentle breeze | 16.5 | Significant breeze |
| Feb | 8.4 | Gentle breeze | 15.4 | Significant breeze |
| Mar | 9.1 | Gentle breeze | 16.3 | Significant breeze |
| Apr | 9.3 | Gentle breeze | 16.9 | Significant breeze |
| May | 9.7 | Gentle breeze | 17.8 | Significant breeze |
| Jun | 8 | Gentle breeze | 16.2 | Significant breeze |
| Jul | 7.2 | Gentle breeze | 14.9 | Significant breeze |
| Aug | 6.9 | Light breeze | 14.5 | Significant breeze |
| Sep | 8.2 | Gentle breeze | 16 | Significant breeze |
| Oct | 9 | Gentle breeze | 16.5 | Significant breeze |
| Nov | 9.2 | Gentle breeze | 16.2 | Significant breeze |
| Dec | 8.6 | Gentle breeze | 14.7 | Significant breeze |
Show Relative Humidity by Month
| Month | Avg. Relative Humidity |
|---|---|
| Jan | 70% |
| Feb | 68.5% |
| Mar | 67.2% |
| Apr | 50.4% |
| May | 51.5% |
| Jun | 60.8% |
| Jul | 62.5% |
| Aug | 62.8% |
| Sep | 59.4% |
| Oct | 59.7% |
| Nov | 67.5% |
| Dec | 71.7% |
Is it Safe to Travel to Northwest Minnesota?
Our best data indicates this area is generally safe. As of Dec 04, 2023 there are no travel advisories or warnings for the United States; exercise normal security precautions. Check this page for any recent changes or regions to avoid: Travel Advice and Advisories. This advisory was last updated on Dec 04, 2023.
The Busiest and Least Crowded Months
The busiest month for tourism in Northwest Minnesota, the United States is August, followed by March and February. Prices for hotels and flights will be most expensive during these months, though you can save if you purchase well in advance. Tourists are unlikely to visit Northwest Minnesota in June. Those willing to visit at these times will likely find it the least expensive month.
Estimated Tourism by Month
Most Popular Months to Visit
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Overall Northwest Minnesota Travel Experience by Season
Spring (March through May)
Humidity and temperatures combine to make this season feel moderately cold. Highs range from 71.6°F (22°C) and 20.5°F (-6.4°C) with far warmer temperatures in the later months. Rain is somewhat common with 3 to 7 days of significant precipitation per month. Spring is the busiest for tourism, which makes it a good time for those looking for things to do.
Summer (June through August)
The middle-year months have very comfortable weather with high temperatures that are comfortable. These months see the most precipitation with 4 to 7 days of precipitation per month. June – August is the second busiest season for tourism in Northwest Minnesota, so lodging and other accommodations may cost slightly more.
Fall (September through November)
Fall daily highs range from 73.3°F (22.9°C) and 25.9°F (-3.4°C), which will feel chilly given the humidity and wind. It rains or snows a normal amount: 2 to 4 days per month. Tourism is the slowest during these months due to the weather, so hotels may be affordably priced.
Winter (December through February)
Weather is far too cold this time of year in Northwest Minnesota to be enjoyable for warm weather travelers. The average high during this season is between 20.5°F (-6.4°C) and 12.4°F (-10.9°C). On average, it rains or snows a smalll amount: 2 to 3 times per month. These times of year are fairly slow with tourists.
Best Times to Travel› the United States › Northwest Minnesota, the United States