Summary of Summer in Minnesota
- Weather Insights: Understand the gradual transition from winter to summer in Minnesota.
- Packing Essentials: Key items to bring along for a comfortable summer experience.
- Annual Events: Discover exciting summer events happening across the state.
Spring in Minnesota can be short and tends to come late, which can have visitors and residents alike itching for the warmer weather of summer. Here’s a look at the slow segue into Minnesota’s warmer seasons when you can finally get a real taste of summer, along with fun activities as the temperature finally warms up.
Regardless of the actual date on the calendar, there are a few “unofficial” markers of summer in Minnesota that the locals know actually mean the season has arrived. For instance, when you:
- See the first small car with a large canoe strapped to the top of it on the road.
- Notice that the giant pile of snow in the downtown St. Paul Sears parking lot has finally melted.
- Hear people who whine about snow switch to whining about the humidity.
- Get stuck in your first road construction traffic snarl, described by the adage “Minnesota has two seasons: winter and road construction.”
Weather
March is firmly a winter month in Minnesota. Although winter is easing and snow melts on warmer days, usually more snow falls through this month. The first official day of spring falls in mid-March, but you wouldn’t know it in Minnesota. The weather doesn’t obey the seasonal labels that are relevant in many other states. You’ll have to wait well into springtime until Minnesota actually feels like spring.
April has many above-freezing days and the potential for warm spring days when it is delightful outside. The snow has usually melted by the end of April.
Finally, it feels like spring…but not for long. The beginning of May is usually cool, but the temperature warms throughout May to see genuine summer weather and heat by mid-May. So much for spring.
What feels like true summer weather usually starts sometime in May in Minnesota, well before the official first day of summer in mid-June. Then summer can hit hard, depending on your location in the state. Up north, summer highs tend to hover in the high 70s Fahrenheit, while the mid-80s predominates in the south. Furthermore, temperatures can spike as high as 114 degrees during a heatwave in that region of the state.
What to Pack
As the temperature during the summer is very temperate, bring along light clothing such as shorts, t-shirts, and sneakers. Swimsuits are handy considering the multiple water options available, including pools, rivers, and amusement parks across the state.
Moreover, don’t forget a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen for the long hours you are likely to spend outdoors. For those inevitable storms, bring along a travel umbrella and light long sleeve shirts. Additionally, pants or jeans that aren’t made from heavy material are best for evening activities like going to a concert or dining out.
Annual Summer Events in Minnesota
If you’re visiting Minnesota over the summer, here are a few highlights of annual events worth checking out.
- Minnesota Fringe Festival: Held Aug. 1 to 11, this event features hundreds of performances in locations throughout the state, including live music, theater, and dance as part of this artistic celebration.
- Loring Park Art Festival: Head to Loring Park in Minneapolis on July 27 and 28 for this annual fine arts festival.
- Uptown Metris Art Fair: This festival is widely considered one of the most esteemed juried fine arts festivals in Minnesota and beyond, taking place on Aug. 2 to 4 in Minneapolis.
- Powderhorn Festival of Arts: This event in Minneapolis focuses on local and regional artists every year during the first week of August, occurring on Aug. 3rd and 4th.
