You want to visit Minnesota, perhaps for work, school, vacation, or even a permanent move. You want to go to the city with the best weather—minimal rain and snow, maximum sun, and comfortable temperatures—but you’re unfamiliar with the state’s climate. Where should you go?
Bloomington has the best weather in Minnesota, with fewer rainy days, more sunshine, and comfortable temperatures averaging 71 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer. It has more than a dozen nearby parks, and there’s plenty of opportunities to enjoy the city’s nice weather.
Bloomington’s strategic location along the southeastern edge of the Twin Cities area also gives its visitors the freedom to travel in any direction. However, the weather—though moderate by Minnesotan standards—still varies quite widely throughout the year, and different seasons may be better for visiting depending on your travel plans.
Bloomington’s Climate Through the Seasons
No matter where you go in Minnesota, winter will inevitably bring snow and summer will carry occasional thunderstorms—Bloomington included. It’s unreasonable to expect California sunshine, of course, but that doesn’t mean the city’s all snow and no sun!
Bloomington falls into the Dfa category of the Köppen-Geiger Climate Classification system, which sorts different regions based on their temperature ranges and precipitation. The Dfa category means that “there is at least one month colder than -3°C and precipitation is generally the same throughout the year” with warm to hot summers.
Summer in Bloomington is Usually Warm And Sunny
June through August are comfortably warm and generally sunny. The temperature averages 71.6 degrees Fahrenheit (22 degrees Celsius). With more than 10 and a half hours of sunlight each day and only 8 days of rain per month on average, summer here warrants short-sleeved shirts, shorts, and only the occasional raincoat.
Fall in Bloomington Is Dryer But Colder
Bloomington cools down from September to November, averaging around 50.1 degrees Fahrenheit (10.1 degrees Celsius) and less than 7 hours of sunlight each day. The good news is that rainy days decrease to only 6 per month, so instead of a rain jacket, you can wear a warm overcoat, long-sleeved shirt, and comfortable pants.
Winter Brings Snow and Freezing Temperatures
You’ll need some heavy-duty gear from December to February:
- Parka
- Gloves
- Scarf or scarves
- Warm hat, like a beanie
- Long, warm pants
- Boots
The average temperature plummets to around 19 degrees Fahrenheit (-7.3 degrees Celsius), well below the freezing point, and the sun will only warm you up for about 5 hours a day.
Sunshine Returns in the Spring, But It’s Still Colder
From March to May, you can expect to wear the same clothes that you did in the fall in order to adapt to the average temperature of 45.7 degrees Fahrenheit (7.6 degrees Celsius). You’ll also have around 8 and a half hours of sunshine per day to help you warm up, though you’ll want to have a raincoat on hand for the 3.4 inches of precipitation each month.
When Should I Visit Bloomington?
If you’re only looking to stay in Bloomington for a few days or weeks, when you should visit depends on whether you care more about the temperature or the rain and snowfall.
Here’s a chart for comparisons, based on an article by Climate Data:
| Month | Average Temperature (Fahrenheit) | Amount of Rain/Snowfall (inches) | Average Daily Hours of Sun |
| January | 15.8° | 1.1 in. | 4.9 hrs. |
| February | 19.5° | 1.2 in. | 5.8 hrs. |
| March | 32.3° | 2.3 in. | 7.1 hrs. |
| April | 46.1° | 3.3 in. | 8.5 hrs. |
| May | 58.6° | 4.6 in. | 9.7 hrs. |
| June | 68.9° | 4.6 in. | 10.8 hrs. |
| July | 74.4° | 3.8 in. | 11.2 hrs. |
| August | 71.7° | 4 in. | 9.9 hrs. |
| September | 64.3° | 3.3 in. | 8.5 hrs. |
| October | 49.9° | 2.6 in. | 6.5 hrs. |
| November | 36.1° | 2 in. | 5.6 hrs. |
| December | 21.2° | 1.6 in. | 4.3 hrs. |
The warmest—and sunniest—month is July, which for most people will be best. For those who prefer room temperature weather and don’t mind a little extra rain, June is the best month. If you’re not a fan of rain but don’t mind a parka and gloves, January is both the coldest and driest month, in terms of overall rain and snowfall.
Outdoor Recreation Areas
There’s no point worrying about weather if you don’t go outside! Many parks sprinkle the city where you can bike, walk, picnic, and spend time with loved ones:
- Moir Park
- Running Park
- Normandale Park
- Dred Scott Park
- Wildwood Park
- Mound Springs Park
- Nord Myr Park
- Marsh Lake Park
Bloomington also contains the Minnesota National Wildlife Refuge, which rests along the Minnesota River at the south end of the city. Outdoor activities such as biking are allowed there.
Cities with Similar Climates
Maybe Bloomington doesn’t call to you—if so, you can head to other cities in southern Minnesota where the climate is generally warmer, such as:
- Worthington
- Owatonna
- Rochester
- Saint Paul
- Lakeville
- Plymouth
- Austin
All of these cities have similar weather to Bloomington. Some, like Rochester, are slightly rainier whereas others are slightly hotter or colder during different parts of the year.
The most major difference, though, is location. So if you would like to get away from any major cities for a while, Rochester, Owatonna, or Worthington may be better options for you.
Conclusion
Bloomington’s warm summers, reduced precipitation, and overall weather consistency make it the city with the best weather in Minnesota, and its location near both metropolitan areas and greenery make it a versatile place suitable for anything from a simple vacation to a lifelong move
