The weather in Minnesota can be all too exciting! Here's a month-by-month rundown of what to expect in Minneapolis and St. Paul, MN.

There are lots of great reasons to live in the Twin Cities metro area, but most people would not consider the weather to be one of them! The average annual temperature is only around 45 degrees Fahrenheit. Summers bring severe weather such as thunderstorms and tornadoes, and occasionally it can get so humid that you wonder if you're in Miami (except for that 45 degree average annual temperature). And because the winters are so harsh, the roads need lots of repair. In fact, Minnesotans joke that there are two seasons: winter and road construction (a joke that doesn't seem so funny anymore since the collapse of the 35W bridge, which was under construction).

Fortunately, the weather in Minnesota isn't all bad. Aside form the severe weather (and serious mosquito problem) summers in the Twin Cities are mostly mild and pleasant. And while there's plenty of snow, there's not as much as you might think-- about 50 inches annually, which is much less than upstate New York and other snowy regions.

So what kind of weather can you expect? Here's a month-by-month summary.

January

Average high= 22 degrees F; Average low= 4 degrees F; Average precipitation= 1.04 inches. January is the wrong time to visit Minnesota, as it's the coldest month of the year. It's not uncommon to go for a week where the temperature never reaches above zero. Expect about 10 inches of snow. (Here's what the natives think about Minnesota winters).

February

Average high= 28 degrees F; Average low= 12 degrees F; Average precipitation= 1.04 inches. Things warm up in February, but only a little. Nobody much cares if the groundhog sees his shadow, as there's going to be six more weeks of winter no matter what!! Expect about 8 inches of snow.

March

Average high= 41 degrees F; Average low= 24 degrees F; Average precipitation= 1.86 inches. March is fickle. The temperature rises, but snow is still possible. By this time, Minnesotans are sick of winter and are losing their stoic Scandinavian patience. Expect about 3 inches of snow.

April

Average high= 57 degrees F; Average low= 36 degrees F; Average precipitation= 2.31 inches. Okay, don't bring out the shorts yet, but you can lose the long underwear. April can be kind of gray and damp, but by the end of the month, signs of spring are everywhere. There's plenty of annoying freezing rain.

May

Average high= 70 degrees F; Average low= 49 degrees F; Average precipitation= 3.24 inches. Spring doesn't last very long in Minnesota, but in a state that's filled with trees and lakes, it's beautiful. The lakes and parks suddenly are swarmed with people who haven't been out much all winter, and there's a happy vibe in the air.

June

Average high= 79 degrees F; Average low= 58 degrees F; Average precipitation= 4.34 inches. June is usually the rainiest month, but everyone's so happy it's summer that no one cares. Thunderstorms can be frequent, along with the threat of tornadoes.

July

Average high= 83 degrees F; Average low= 63 degrees F; Average precipitation= 4.04 inches. This is the "hot" month, so to speak! There's often a spell of 90 degree days, and the humidity and thunderstorms can be nasty. However, with an average high temperature of only 83 degrees, July is Minnesota is pretty amazing. Unfortunately, the mosquito problem really gets bad around July.

August

Average high= 80 degrees F; Average low= 61 degrees F; Average precipitation= 4.04 inches. August can get a little nippy, especially towards the end, but otherwise the weather is similar to July. Locals celebrate the last days of summer at the massive Minnesota State Fair.

September

Average high= 71 degrees F; Average low= 51 degrees F; Average precipitation= 2.69 inches. Fall comes early in Minnesota, and it's a beautiful thing. This is a great time to enjoy fall festivals and fun, including the apple picking season.

October

Average high= 58 degrees F; Average low= 39 degrees F; Average precipitation= 2.11 inches. October is a fun month, and the calm before the storm before winter. Fall foliage reaches its peak, and there are plenty of Halloween festivities. Snow is possible--in fact, the Halloween blizzard of 1991 dumped over 28 inches of snow on the Twin Cities!

November

Average high= 40 degrees F; Average low= 25 degrees F; Average precipitation= 1.94 inches. The calendar may say that's it's fall, but winter has begun-- as has ski season in Minnesota. Expect about 8 inches of snow (and beware of drivers who have forgotten how to drive in it!)

December

Average high= 26 degrees F; Average low= 11 degrees F; Average precipitation= 1 inch. One thing about living in a cold climate - there's almost always a white Christmas! The Twin Cities have lots of Christmas festivities, like the Holidazzle parade and many performances of the Nutcracker Suite. Expect about 9 inches of snow.

See also:

Cheap flights to the Twin Cities

Twin City suburbs