Duluth, MN Climate & Monthly Averages

Minnesota, United States 🇺🇸 · humid continental climate
Annual avg
43°
Hottest month
July
Coldest month
January
Rainy days / yr
113
Sunshine
8.3 h/day
Right now: 66° and light drizzle - see live conditions

The climate of Duluth

Duluth runs one of the wider annual swings in our dataset: 30°C separates the average July from the average January. Afternoons reach 78°F (25°C) at the peak of summer and 22°F (-6°C) at the depth of winter, with 113 days of measurable precipitation through the year.

Climate quick facts

  • Hottest month: July - highs near 78°F (25°C)
  • Coldest month: January - highs near 22°F (-6°C)
  • Decade extremes (2015-2024): 97°F (36°C) high · -30°F (-34°C) low
  • Wettest month: August (10 rainy days) · Sunniest: July (12.6 h sun/day)
  • Climate type: humid continental
  • Annual swing: 30°C between the average warmest and coolest month · day to night: 8°C
  • Snow: about 27 days a year
  • Months with freezing average lows: 6
  • Average humidity: 73%

Temperatures through the year

Four of the twelve months pair mild highs with fewer than twelve wet days; the longest unbroken run is June through September. Warmth peaks in July: highs of 78°F (25°C), lows of 63°F (17°C). January bottoms out at 22°F (-6°C) in daylight, 9°F (-13°C) after dark. Overnight lows average at or below freezing for 6 months, November through April.

Rain, sun and snow

Snow falls on roughly 27 days a year, mostly October through May. Between the average July and the average January lie 30°C, a wider spread than 97% of the 3496 cities in our dataset. July is the brightest month at 12.6 hours of sun a day, against an annual average of 8.3 - duller than about 75% of the cities we track. Across the gridded 2015-2024 daily record, the highest daily maximum for this location was 97°F (36°C) and the lowest daily minimum -30°F (-34°C).

How Duluth compares

  • Duluth averages 43°F (6°C) across the year - cooler than all but 3% of the 3496 cities we track.

Ranked against every city in our dataset, each measured on the same ten-year window.

Monthly climate table

Monthly averages for Duluth based on 2015–2024 weather data.
MonthHighLow Rain daysPrecipitation SunshineHumidity
January 22° 6 1.0 in 5.2 h/day 78%
February 24° 6 1.2 in 7.1 h/day 72%
March 37° 22° 7 2.1 in 8.3 h/day 70%
April 46° 32° 11 2.9 in 8.4 h/day 69%
May 60° 44° 11 3.6 in 10.2 h/day 70%
June 71° 55° 11 3.6 in 12.2 h/day 72%
July 78° 63° 10 3.4 in 12.6 h/day 73%
August 75° 62° 10 3.8 in 10.8 h/day 74%
September 69° 56° 10 3.5 in 9.2 h/day 75%
October 54° 43° 10 3.0 in 6.5 h/day 72%
November 40° 29° 9 2.5 in 5.1 h/day 72%
December 28° 16° 10 2.6 in 4.2 h/day 78%

Duluth month by month

Duluth weather in January

January brings highs around 22°F (-6°C), lows near 9°F (-13°C), about 6 wet days and roughly 5 snowy days - typically the coldest month and the driest month of the year in Duluth.

Duluth weather in February

February brings highs around 24°F (-4°C), lows near 8°F (-13°C), about 6 wet days and roughly 4 snowy days.

Duluth weather in March

March brings highs around 37°F (3°C), lows near 22°F (-5°C), about 7 wet days and roughly 4 snowy days.

Duluth weather in April

April brings highs around 46°F (8°C), lows near 32°F (0°C), about 11 wet days and roughly 3 snowy days.

Duluth weather in May

May brings highs around 60°F (16°C), lows near 44°F (7°C), about 11 wet days.

Duluth weather in June

June brings highs around 71°F (22°C), lows near 55°F (13°C), about 11 wet days.

Duluth weather in July

July brings highs around 78°F (25°C), lows near 63°F (17°C), about 10 wet days - typically the hottest month and the sunniest month of the year in Duluth.

Duluth weather in August

August brings highs around 75°F (24°C), lows near 62°F (17°C), about 10 wet days - typically the wettest month of the year in Duluth.

Duluth weather in September

September brings highs around 69°F (21°C), lows near 56°F (14°C), about 10 wet days.

Duluth weather in October

October brings highs around 54°F (12°C), lows near 43°F (6°C), about 10 wet days.

Duluth weather in November

November brings highs around 40°F (4°C), lows near 29°F (-2°C), about 9 wet days and roughly 3 snowy days.

Duluth weather in December

December brings highs around 28°F (-2°C), lows near 16°F (-9°C), about 10 wet days and roughly 6 snowy days.

Seasons in Duluth

Spring (March through May)

Spring in Duluth runs cold, with daytime highs averaging 48°F (9°C) and nights around 33°F (0°C); expect showers on roughly 30 days across the season, plus about 8 snowy days.

Summer (June through August)

Summer is pleasantly warm here - highs near 75°F (24°C), nights near 60°F (16°C), and rain falls on around 32 of the 90 days. Daylight is generous - around 11.9 hours of sun a day.

Fall (September through November)

Fall in Duluth runs cool rather than cold, with daytime highs averaging 55°F (13°C) and nights around 43°F (6°C); expect showers on roughly 29 days across the season, plus about 4 snowy days.

Winter (December through February)

Through winter, Duluth is bitterly cold: 25°F (-4°C) by day, 11°F (-12°C) after dark, and expect showers on roughly 22 days across the season, plus about 15 snowy days. Wind sharpens cold like this considerably; pair the forecast winds with the wind speed converter to judge exposed conditions.

Climate questions, answered

How many rainy days does Duluth get in a year?
About 113 days bring measurable precipitation, totalling 33.2 inches (842 mm). That works out at roughly 7.5 mm on an average wet day.
How cold does Duluth get in winter?
January nights average 9°F (-13°C). Serious winter clothing territory.
How sunny is Duluth?
8.3 hours a day averaged over the year, peaking in July at 12.6 hours.
Is Duluth warmer or cooler than most cities?
Its 43°F (6°C) annual average is cooler than 97% of the 3496 cities in our dataset, which are all measured on the same 2015-2024 basis.
What is the average temperature in Duluth?
43°F (6°C) across all twelve months - about 51°F (10°C) by day and 37°F (3°C) after dark.

Best time to visit Duluth

Aim for May to September if you get the choice: these are the warmest and brightest weeks of the year, and highs average 71°F (22°C) against roughly 11 wet days a month. For the same question asked the other way round, see where else is warm in May.

Pack for Duluth with a heavy insulated coat, hat and gloves for winter and a compact umbrella or rain shell. Note the gap between afternoon and night: July pairs 78°F (25°C) with 63°F (17°C).

Duluth temperature records (2015-2024)

Highest recorded
97°
in September
Lowest recorded
-30°
in January
Annual precipitation
33.1"
Snowy days / yr
27

Derived from ERA5 reanalysis data, 2015–2024. Official station records may differ.