User:WxGopher/ClimateSandbox

The Climate of Minnesota is typical of a continental climate with cold winters and hot summers. Its unique location in the Upper Midwest allows it to experience some of the widest variety of weather in the nation, and each of the four seasons has its own distinct characteristics. Winter is generally cold and snowy but can see thaws and rain. Summers are generally warm and humid, but do see frequent cool fronts which cool and dry the air. Fall and spring are the transition months where wild swings in the weather can be expected. The areas near Lake Superior in the Minnesota Arrowhead region experience unique weather in the state. The moderating effect of Lake Superior keeps the surrounding area relatively cooler in the summer and relatively warmer in the winter, giving that region a taste of a maritime climate.

Temperatures and precipitation in Minnesota can vary widely. Minnesota is far enough north to experience −60 °Fahrenheit (−51 °C) temperatures and blizzards during the winter months, but far enough south to experience 114 °F (45.5 °C) temperatures and tornado outbreaks in the summer.^[1] The 174 degree (96 °C) variation between Minnesota's highest and lowest temperate is the 11^th largest variation of any U.S. State^[2]

Minnesota is the driest state in the Midwest. Average precipitation across the state ranges from around 35 in (89 cm) in the southeast to just 20 in (51 cm) in the northwest.^[3] Snow is the main form of precipitation from November through March, while rain is the most common the rest of the year. Snowfall extremes have ranged from over 170 in (432 cm) in the rugged Superior Highlands of the North Shore to as little as 10 in (25 cm) in southern Minnesota.^[4]

Winter in Minnesota is characterized by cold (below freezing) temperatures and snowfall. During the winter Minnesota is fully engulfed in the polar air and is then subjected to arctic air masses. These outbreaks bring with them and bitterly cold temperatures. Snow is the main form of winter precipitation, but freezing rain, ice, sleet and sometimes even rain are all possible during the winter months. Common storm systems include Alberta Clippers or Panhandle hooks.

Spring is a time of major transition in Minnesota. As winter nears its end, the sun rises higher in the sky and temperatures begin to moderate. Early spring commonly sees snowstorms, and by late spring the state can experirence tornado outbreaks.

Fall and spring are the windiest times of the year in Minnesota. October is the windiest month in northwest Minnesota, while April is the windiest over the rest of the state.^[5] Winds generally average between 9 and 11 miles per hour (14 - 18 km/h), while Buffalo Ridge, averates 16 mph. Minnesota is prone to flooding in its major rivers. Minnesota has been rocked by major flooding in 2001, 1997, 1993 1969 and 1965.

During a Minnesota summer, heat and humidity predominate in the south, while warm and less humid conditions are generally present in the north. These humid conditions help kick off thunderstorm activity 30-40 days a year.^[6] Summer temperatures in Minnesota average in the mid 80's (30 °C) in the south to the upper 70's (25 °C) in the north. July is the hottest month in Minnesota state wide In July 1936 Minnesota and the rest of the Midwest suffered through its worst heat wave on record. The growing season in Minnesota varies from 90 days per year in the Iron Range to 160 days in southeast Minnesota. Tornadoes are possible in Minnesota from March - November, but the peak tornado month is June, followed by July, May and August. The state averages 24 tornadoes per year,^[7]

Autumn weather in the Minnesota is largely the reverse of spring weather. The jet stream, which tends to weaken in summer, begins to re-strengthen ^[8] , leading to a quicker changing of weather patterns and an increased variability of temperatures. ^[9] By late October and November these storm systems become strong enough to form major winter storms. Some of Minnesota's largest blizzards have come during the middle part of the fall.