AI-generatedMinneapolis at a glance
- Best time
- May – Sep
- Warmest month
- Jul · 28°
- Sunshine a year
- 2,220 h
- Rain a year
- 827 mm
- Climate
- Continental
- Time zone
- UTC−6 / UTC−5
- Elevation
- 253 m
Climate in Minneapolis
Minneapolis has warm to hot summers and cold winters with occasional snow. July is the warmest month with average highs of 28 °C, while January is the coolest at −5 °C. With around 2,220 hours of sunshine a year, Minneapolis is sunny; July is the sunniest month with 9.2 hours a day.
Holiday weather through the year
Weather in October
Holiday weather in October
Fair
Best time to visit: May – September
A typical day in October
- Morning, 08:00: about 7°
- Midday, 13:00: about 14°
- Afternoon, 16:00: about 14°
- Evening, 20:00: about 11°
- Night, 23:00: about 9°
07:2718:30
Cold evenings: bring a warm jacket.
Estimated from the average high and low: coolest around sunrise, warmest in mid-afternoon.
Light for photos in October
- Golden hour
- Morning 07:09–08:07 · evening 17:50–18:48
- Blue hour
- Morning 06:58–07:09 · evening 18:48–19:00
Golden hour: the sun between 4° below and 6° above the horizon; blue hour: 6° to 4° below it. Times for the 15th of the month; mountains and clouds shift the light.
What is the weather like in Minneapolis in October?
In October, Minneapolis is cool: daytime highs average 14 °C, and nights cool down to about 7 °C. Expect around 5 hours of sunshine a day. Rain falls on about 9 days, adding up to 65 mm. All in all, October is a so-so month for a holiday in Minneapolis.
More details for October
- Daylight
- 11 h 3 min07:27 – 18:30
- UV index
- 3 · moderateclear sky, noon (estimate)All months
- Muggy days
- 0 daysdew point 18 °C or moreAll months
- Wind
- 19 km/haverage daily peakAll months
- Cloud cover
- 57 %on averageAll months
- Hot days
- 0 days30 °C or moreAll months
- Snow days
- 1 day1 cm or more of fresh snowAll months
- Time zone
- UTC−5America/Chicago
How the score comes together
- Temperatureweight 50 %61 %
- Sunshineweight 20 %33 %
- Few rainy daysweight 30 %66 %
Each factor is rated from 0 to 100 % and weighted for the travel style “City break”.
What to pack in October
- Sunscreen
- A jumper for the evenings
- Rain jacket or umbrella
Sunshine hours in Minneapolis
Average hours of bright sunshine per day, next to the length of the day. Tap a month to select it.
In October, the sun shines for about 5.0 of 11.1 hours of daylight in Minneapolis, 45 % of the day.
Sunshine hours: estimated from radiation data (ERA5, 1996–2025) and calibrated against measured station values; no weather station is close enough here. Daylight is the time from sunrise to sunset on the 15th of the month.
UV index in Minneapolis
How strong the sun is at noon, month by month, and how quickly unprotected skin burns.
- Clear-sky UV in October
- 3 · moderateAround midday seek shade; use sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses.
The sun is strongest in June (UV 9).
Minutes until sunburn in October
- Very fair skin
- about 45 min
- Fair skin
- about 55 min
- Light brown skin
- about 75 min
- Olive skin
- about 95 min
Rough guide for unprotected skin at noon under a clear sky; clouds lengthen it, water, sand and snow shorten it. Sunscreen extends the time only partly.
Monthly values: clear-sky noon estimate from the sun's angle, ozone and altitude. UV today: Open-Meteo forecast.
Rain in Minneapolis: rainy days and rainfall
A rainy day is a day with at least 1 mm of rain or snow; the amount is what falls in the whole month. Tap a month to select it.
In October, Minneapolis has about 9 rainy days with 65 mm of rain in total.
Wind and clouds in Minneapolis
How breezy and how cloudy Minneapolis is through the year. Tap a month to select it on the whole page.
Wind
Typical daily peak of the wind in km/h: what the afternoon breeze usually reaches, not the gusts.
In October, the wind in Minneapolis typically peaks at 19 km/h during the day: Beaufort 3, light breeze.
Clouds
Average share of the sky covered by cloud, day and night.
In October, cloud covers on average 57 % of the sky over Minneapolis: variable cloud, with about 5.0 hours of sunshine a day.
Wind: mean daily maximum of the hourly wind 10 m above ground (ERA5, 1996–2025). Gusts are stronger, and the model grid of about 28 km smooths out local effects such as capes and valley winds. Clouds: mean total cloud cover of all layers over day and night (ERA5, 1996–2025). Thin high cloud counts as cover even when the sun still shines through.
Heat and humidity in Minneapolis
How often the day gets hot in Minneapolis (30 °C and more), and in which months heat and humidity come together. Tap a month to select it.
Heat calendar
- pleasant
- some hot or muggy days
- often muggy
- often hot
- hot and muggy
In October, Minneapolis has about 0 hot days, with an average daytime high of 14 °C: pleasant. Heat plays no part this month.
Hot days reach at least 30 °C; a month counts as muggy when the mean dew point reaches 18 °C on at least 15 days. Averages from ERA5 and ERA5-Land, 1996–2025. Muggy nights through the year
Snow in Minneapolis
When Minneapolis is likely to be white: the chance of seeing snow during a week's stay, the days with fresh snow and how much falls. Tap a month to select it.
Snow calendar
- hardly any
- possible
- likely
- very likely
In October, Minneapolis has about 1 days with at least 1 cm of fresh snow, 2 cm in total. The chance of seeing snow during a week's stay is 7 out of 100: hardly any.
Snow days bring at least 1 cm of fresh snow. Fresh snow comes from ERA5 snowfall (1996–2025) at the height of the place, not on the slopes above it; the snow chance also weighs whether the snow settles. An estimate from climate averages, not a snow report.
Climate through the year
Long-term monthly averages. Tap a month to see its details.
Nights and sleep in Minneapolis
How warm the nights get in each month, from the mean night-time low. Tap a month for details.
- Frost below 0°
- Cold 0–8°
- Cool 8–15°
- Pleasant 15–20°
- muggy month (10+ muggy days)
ColdOctober: nights around 7°. The room should be heated.
The coolest nights are in January (−13°), the warmest in July (19°). Nights are pleasant for sleeping (15 to 20 °C) from June to August. Nights fall below 8 °C on average from October to April, so the room should be heated. It is muggy (dew point 18 °C or more) on about 25 days a year, mostly in July.
Temperatures through the year
Average daytime high, night-time low and sea temperature per month.
| Month | Score | Day | Night | Sun | Rain days | Rain mm |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JanuaryJan | 30 | −5° | −13° | 3.9 h | 6 | 24 |
| FebruaryFeb | 35 | −2° | −12° | 5.1 h | 5 | 28 |
| MarchMar | 32 | 5° | −5° | 5.9 h | 8 | 55 |
| AprilApr | 49 | 13° | 3° | 6.5 h | 11 | 85 |
| MayMay | 77 | 20° | 10° | 7.2 h | 12 | 107 |
| JuneJun | 80 | 25° | 16° | 8.2 h | 12 | 111 |
| JulyJul | 81 | 28° | 19° | 9.2 h | 10 | 86 |
| AugustAug | 84 | 26° | 18° | 7.9 h | 10 | 102 |
| SeptemberSep | 82 | 23° | 14° | 6.8 h | 9 | 82 |
| OctoberOct | 57 | 14° | 7° | 5.0 h | 9 | 65 |
| NovemberNov | 27 | 6° | −1° | 3.9 h | 7 | 43 |
| DecemberDec | 26 | −2° | −10° | 3.2 h | 6 | 39 |
Climate averages 1996–2025, not a forecast. Data: Copernicus ERA5 / ERA5-Land via Open-Meteo.com (CC BY 4.0), NOAA OISST, WMO 1991–2020 (NOAA NCEI), GeoNames (CC BY 4.0). Sources & licences
44.98° N, 93.26° W · 253 m · America/Chicago
Best time to visit Minneapolis
The best time to visit Minneapolis is from May to September. For sightseeing, day trips and hiking, conditions are most comfortable from May to September. The wettest month is June with 111 mm of precipitation.
Minneapolis through the seasons
How the weather changes over the seasons, with averages for each.
Minneapolis in spring
Mar – May
Fair
- 5–20 °C by day
- 7 h of sun a day
- 31 rainy days in all
Minneapolis in summer
Jun – Aug
Excellent
- 25–28 °C by day
- 8 h of sun a day
- 32 rainy days in all
Minneapolis in autumn
Sep – Nov
Fair
- 6–23 °C by day
- 5 h of sun a day
- 24 rainy days in all
Minneapolis in winter
Dec – Feb
Poor
- -5–-2 °C by day
- 4 h of sun a day
- 17 rainy days in all
Find your perfect month
Tell us what you like and we rate every month in Minneapolis for you.
Your best months: June, September
Based on the climate averages; tap a month to see its details.
Compare two months in Minneapolis
Pick two months to see how the weather differs. A tick marks the clearly better value; for temperatures it depends on your plans.
August has the better holiday weather in Minneapolis: score 84 against 57. In August, days are 12 °C warmer than in October. August has one more rainy day. The sun shines 3 hours longer a day in August.
| Month | October | August |
|---|---|---|
| Weather score | 57 | 84better |
| Day high | 14° | 26° |
| Night low | 7° | 18° |
| Sunshine | 5.0 h | 7.9 hbetter |
| Rainy days | 9better | 10 |
| Rainfall | 65 mmbetter | 102 mm |
| Muggy days | 0better | 7 |
Based on the climate averages 1996–2025.
Which month for what?
Beach & swimming
No sea nearby
Sea from 21 °C, warm and mostly dry
Sightseeing & hiking
May – Sep
15–28 °C and not too much rain
Snow
Nov – Mar
Snow on 2 or more days
Minneapolis month by month
The typical weather for every month at a glance.
30January-5° · 4 h
In January, Minneapolis is freezing cold: daytime highs average −5 °C, and nights often drop below freezing (−13 °C). The sun is scarce, with only about 4 hours a day. Precipitation, often as snow, falls on about 6 days, totalling 24 mm. Snow falls on about 5 days. All in all, January is not an ideal month for a holiday in Minneapolis.
Minneapolis in January35February-2° · 5 h
In February, Minneapolis is freezing cold: daytime highs average −2 °C, and nights often drop below freezing (−12 °C). Expect around 5 hours of sunshine a day. Precipitation, often as snow, falls on about 5 days, totalling 28 mm. Snow falls on about 4 days. All in all, February is not an ideal month for a holiday in Minneapolis.
Minneapolis in February32March5° · 6 h
In March, Minneapolis is cold: daytime highs average 5 °C, and nights often drop below freezing (−5 °C). Expect around 6 hours of sunshine a day. Rain falls on about 8 days, adding up to 55 mm. Snow falls on about 4 days. All in all, March is not an ideal month for a holiday in Minneapolis.
Minneapolis in March49April13° · 7 h
In April, Minneapolis is cool: daytime highs average 13 °C, and nights cool down to about 3 °C. The sun shines for around 7 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 11 rainy days and 85 mm in total. Snow falls on about 2 days. All in all, April is a so-so month for a holiday in Minneapolis.
Minneapolis in April77May20° · 7 h
In May, Minneapolis is mild: daytime highs average 20 °C, and nights cool down to about 10 °C. The sun shines for around 7 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 12 rainy days and 107 mm in total. All in all, May is a good month for a holiday in Minneapolis.
Minneapolis in May80June25° · 8 h
In June, Minneapolis is warm: daytime highs average 25 °C, and nights cool down to about 16 °C. The sun shines for around 8 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 12 rainy days and 111 mm in total. All in all, June is an excellent month for a holiday in Minneapolis.
Minneapolis in June81July28° · 9 h
In July, Minneapolis is hot: daytime highs average 28 °C, and nights cool down to about 19 °C. With around 9 hours of sunshine a day, there is plenty of sun. Rain is frequent, with about 10 rainy days and 86 mm in total. On about 8 days the thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more. All in all, July is an excellent month for a holiday in Minneapolis.
Minneapolis in July84August26° · 8 h
In August, Minneapolis is warm: daytime highs average 26 °C, and nights cool down to about 18 °C. The sun shines for around 8 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 10 rainy days and 102 mm in total. All in all, August is an excellent month for a holiday in Minneapolis.
Minneapolis in August82September23° · 7 h
In September, Minneapolis is warm: daytime highs average 23 °C, and nights cool down to about 14 °C. The sun shines for around 7 hours a day. Rain falls on about 9 days, adding up to 82 mm. All in all, September is an excellent month for a holiday in Minneapolis.
Minneapolis in September57October14° · 5 h
In October, Minneapolis is cool: daytime highs average 14 °C, and nights cool down to about 7 °C. Expect around 5 hours of sunshine a day. Rain falls on about 9 days, adding up to 65 mm. All in all, October is a so-so month for a holiday in Minneapolis.
Minneapolis in October27November6° · 4 h
In November, Minneapolis is cold: daytime highs average 6 °C, and nights often drop below freezing (−1 °C). The sun is scarce, with only about 4 hours a day. Rain falls on about 7 days, adding up to 43 mm. Snow falls on about 3 days. All in all, November is not an ideal month for a holiday in Minneapolis.
Minneapolis in November26December-2° · 3 h
In December, Minneapolis is freezing cold: daytime highs average −2 °C, and nights often drop below freezing (−10 °C). The sun is scarce, with only about 3 hours a day. Precipitation, often as snow, falls on about 6 days, totalling 39 mm. Snow falls on about 4 days. All in all, December is not an ideal month for a holiday in Minneapolis.
Minneapolis in DecemberMinneapolis compared
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Minneapolis vs. Des Moines
In October Des Moines has the better holiday weather (score 77 vs. 57). During the day Des Moines is 3 °C warmer than Minneapolis. Des Moines gets one more hour of sunshine a day.
| in October | Minneapolis | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| Holiday score | 57 | 77 |
| Daytime high | 14° | 17° |
| Sunshine | 5 h | 6 h |
| Rainy days | 9 | 8 |
| Best time | May – Sep | Jun – Oct |
Through the year
USA in October: the best places
In October, Minneapolis ranks 25 among the 31 nearest destinations in this country.
- Oklahoma City23°86
- 2Denver18°85
- 3Dallas26°85
- 4Memphis23°84
- 5Omaha18°83
- 6St. Louis20°82
- 7Tulsa22°82
- 8Nashville22°82
- 25MinneapolisThis page14°57
Planning a trip to Minneapolis
Weather for your travel dates
Pick your arrival and length of stay, and we sum up the weather to expect.
Minneapolis in the school holidays
How the weather suits the usual holiday periods. Dates vary by school and region, so each holiday uses the months it usually falls in.
Minneapolis has its best school-holiday weather during the summer holidays (score 83) and its weakest during the Christmas holidays (score 28).
- 44
Easter holidays
Mar – Apr
Fair
- 10 °C by day
- 6.3 h of sun a day
- 10 rainy days a month
Keep in mind: Snow
- 78
May half-term
May – Jun
Good
- 21 °C by day
- 7.4 h of sun a day
- 12 rainy days a month
Good for: Sightseeing & walks
- 83
Summer holidays
Jul – Aug
ExcellentBest holidays
- 27 °C by day
- 8.4 h of sun a day
- 10 rainy days a month
Good for: Sightseeing & walks
- 57
October half-term
Oct
Fair
- 14 °C by day
- 5.0 h of sun a day
- 9 rainy days a month
- 28
Christmas holidays
Dec – Jan
Poor
- −4 °C by day
- 3.6 h of sun a day
- 6 rainy days a month
Keep in mind: Snow
Based on the climate averages 1996–2025.
Getting there
Flying from
- Nonstop flight
- about 8 h 15 min
- Distance
- 6,440 km
- Time zone
- UTC−5
- Jet lag
- About 4 days (6 h west)
Rule of thumb for flying west: for a few days before, stay up a little later, and get afternoon and evening light at your destination.
Estimated from the straight-line distance: 30 minutes for take-off and landing plus 830 km/h cruising speed.
Frequently asked questions about Minneapolis
When is the best time to visit Minneapolis?
The best time to visit Minneapolis is from May to September. That is when the holiday weather score, which combines temperature, sea, sunshine and rain, is highest.
What is the warmest month in Minneapolis?
July is the warmest month, with average highs of 28 °C and nights around 19 °C. January is the coolest month at −5 °C.
When does it rain most in Minneapolis?
The wettest month is June with 111 mm of precipitation. The driest month is January with 24 mm.
How many hours of sunshine does Minneapolis get?
Minneapolis gets around 2,220 hours of sunshine a year. The sunniest month is July with 9.2 hours a day; in December there are 3.2 hours a day.
What time zone is Minneapolis in?
Minneapolis uses the time zone America/Chicago: UTC−6 in January and UTC−5 in July.
How long is the flight from London to Minneapolis?
A nonstop flight from London to Minneapolis takes about 8 h 15 min, for a straight-line distance of about 6,440 km.
Which school holidays are best for Minneapolis?
Minneapolis has its best school-holiday weather during the summer holidays (score 83) and its weakest during the Christmas holidays (score 28). Holiday ratings (0–100): Easter holidays 44, May half-term 78, Summer holidays 83, October half-term 57, Christmas holidays 28.
Near Minneapolis
Other destinations close by.
Places with a climate like Minneapolis
Destinations whose weather through the year is closest to Minneapolis's – good alternatives.