Minneapolis - Coldest Decades

The coldest decades on record are ranked here for Minneapolis, Minnesota. The lists include decades when Minneapolis had the lowest average temperatures, the fewest hot days and the most cold days. These extremes are for temperatures observed at Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport and cover eight decades, from the 1940s to the 2010s.

That is when Minneapolis had weather measurements that are consistent and complete enough to compare decades. Each decade comprises a standard 10-year range. For instance, the 1990s includes measurements from Jan 1, 1990 to Dec 31, 1999. Links to the data behind these lists are in the References section on this page.

Coolest High Temperatures

Average daily maximum temperature at Minneapolis
High °F Decade High °C
Lowest 53.7 1960s 12.1
Runner-up 53.9 1970s 12.1

Coldest Low Temperatures

Average daily minimum temperature at Minneapolis
Low °F Decade Low °C
Lowest 34.0 1960s 1.1
Runner-up 34.9 1970s 1.6

Fewest Warm Days

Total days per year on average when Minneapolis had temperatures of at least 70 °F (21 °C)
Days Decade
Lowest 124 1960s
Runner-up 127 1990s

Fewest Hot Days

Total days per year on average when Minneapolis had temperatures of at least 90 °F (32 °C)
Days Decade
Lowest 8 1990s
Runner-up 13 1960s

Most Freezing Days

Total days per year on average when Minneapolis had temperatures of 32 °F (0 °C) or lower
Days Decade
Highest 163 1960s
Runner-up 156 1990s, 1950s

Most Cold Days

Total days per year on average when Minneapolis had temperatures of 0 °F (-18 °C) or lower
Days Decade
Highest 36 1970s
Runner-up 35 1960s
References

Current Results. 2020. Minneapolis MN Temperature Averages by Decade

Jay Lawrimore, Ron Ray, Scott Applequist, Bryant Korzeniewski, Matthew Menne. 2016. Global Summary of the Year, Version 1.0. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information.

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