The 10 Cities In Minnesota With The Best Weather


The cities with the best weather in Minnesota for 2024 are New Ulm, St. Peter, and Mankato. Find out where your city or town ranks.

By: Chris Kolmar | About HomeSnacks
Last Updated: December 12, 2023

Everyone wants a bit of a blissful breeze or a scoop of sunny sanctuary when looking for a place to live in Minnesota.

The more sun, the more you can go outside. The more you go outside, the more you’ll feel at peace. The more you’ll feel at peace, the more you’ll enjoy where you live.

So it makes sense to try and find the places with the best weather in Minnesota. We used Saturday Night Science to compare the number of sunny days, total precipitation, and the deviation from the ideal 70-degree weather for 97 places in Minnesota over 10,000 people.

Grab your shades and put away your raincoat as we look at the cities with the best weather in Minnesota.

Table Of Contents: Top Ten | Methodology | Table

The 10 Cities With The Best Weather In Minnesota For 2024

  1. New Ulm
  2. St. Peter
  3. Mankato
  4. Shakopee
  5. Farmington
  6. Marshall
  7. North Mankato
  8. Apple Valley
  9. Eden Prairie
  10. Fairmont

Best Weather In Minnesota Map

What city has the best weather in Minnesota, with more than 10,000 people? The city with the best weather in Minnesota is New Ulm with 39.6 sunny days and an average high of 55.5 degrees.

Read on below to see where your city ranked.

And if you already knew these places were beautiful, check out the best places to live in Minnesota or the cheapest places in Minnesota.

The 10 Snowiest Cities In Minnesota For 2024

1. New Ulm

New Ulm Location In Minnesota

New Ulm, MN

Source: Wikipedia User Bobak Ha’Eri | CC BY 3.0

Population: 13,287
Average Annual High: 55.5 degrees
Average Annual Low: 35.5 degrees
Average Annual Snowfall: 39.6 inches
Average Annual Precipitation: 29.3 inches
Sunny Days: 308.7 days
More on New Ulm: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate

2. St. Peter

St. Peter Location In Minnesota

St. Peter, MN

Source: Wikipedia User Bobak Ha’Eri | CC BY 3.0

Population: 11,492
Average Annual High: 55.6 degrees
Average Annual Low: 35.4 degrees
Average Annual Snowfall: 40.2 inches
Average Annual Precipitation: 30.7 inches
Sunny Days: 305.8 days
More on St. Peter: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate

3. Mankato

Mankato Location In Minnesota

Mankato, MN

Source: Wikipedia User Bobak Ha’Eri | CC BY 3.0

Population: 40,557
Average Annual High: 55.5 degrees
Average Annual Low: 35.5 degrees
Average Annual Snowfall: 39.0 inches
Average Annual Precipitation: 31.2 inches
Sunny Days: 302.1 days
More on Mankato: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate

4. Shakopee

Shakopee Location In Minnesota

Shakopee, MN

Source: Wikipedia User AlexiusHoratius | CC BY-SA 3.0

Population: 39,137
Average Annual High: 55.7 degrees
Average Annual Low: 36.0 degrees
Average Annual Snowfall: 50.1 inches
Average Annual Precipitation: 31.3 inches
Sunny Days: 307.0 days
More on Shakopee: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate

5. Farmington

Farmington Location In Minnesota

Farmington, MN

Source: Wikipedia User Appraiser at English Wikipedia | CC BY-SA 3.0

Population: 22,159
Average Annual High: 55.4 degrees
Average Annual Low: 35.5 degrees
Average Annual Snowfall: 42.2 inches
Average Annual Precipitation: 31.7 inches
Sunny Days: 304.5 days
More on Farmington: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate

6. Marshall

Marshall Location In Minnesota

Marshall, MN

Source: Wikipedia User Jon Platek | CC BY-SA 3.0

Population: 13,608
Average Annual High: 55.1 degrees
Average Annual Low: 34.8 degrees
Average Annual Snowfall: 46.5 inches
Average Annual Precipitation: 27.2 inches
Sunny Days: 310.4 days
More on Marshall: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate

7. North Mankato

North Mankato Location In Minnesota

North Mankato, MN

Source: Wikipedia User Bobak Ha’Eri | CC BY 3.0

Population: 13,438
Average Annual High: 55.3 degrees
Average Annual Low: 35.4 degrees
Average Annual Snowfall: 39.0 inches
Average Annual Precipitation: 31.2 inches
Sunny Days: 302.1 days
More on North Mankato: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate

8. Apple Valley

Apple Valley Location In Minnesota

Apple Valley, MN

Source: Public domain

Population: 50,309
Average Annual High: 55.4 degrees
Average Annual Low: 35.8 degrees
Average Annual Snowfall: 44.5 inches
Average Annual Precipitation: 32.1 inches
Sunny Days: 304.5 days
More on Apple Valley: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate

9. Eden Prairie

Eden Prairie Location In Minnesota

Eden Prairie, MN

Source: Public domain

Population: 62,626
Average Annual High: 55.3 degrees
Average Annual Low: 36.3 degrees
Average Annual Snowfall: 50.9 inches
Average Annual Precipitation: 31.8 inches
Sunny Days: 308.0 days
More on Eden Prairie: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate

10. Fairmont

Fairmont Location In Minnesota

Fairmont, MN

Source: Wikipedia User Jon Platek | CC BY-SA 3.0

Population: 10,387
Average Annual High: 55.3 degrees
Average Annual Low: 35.8 degrees
Average Annual Snowfall: 45.0 inches
Average Annual Precipitation: 32.0 inches
Sunny Days: 304.6 days
More on Fairmont: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate

Rainiest States In The United States

How We Determined The Cities In Minnesota With The Best Weather

To rank the most fair weather cities in Minnesota, we used Saturday Night Science and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) database, to see which cities in the North Star State get the best weather.

We used the following criteria to find the best weather:

  • Number of sunny days
  • Highest average low
  • Average high deviation from 70 degrees
  • Least amount of rain
  • Least amount of snow

We ranked each city of over 10,000 people in Minnesota from best to worst on each criterion. We then averaged each ranking into a weather quality index. The city with the best index, New Ulm, was anointed the city with the best weather in Minnesota.

Before we get too far, here are the annual precipitation rates for major cities:

  • Minneapolis — 32.4 inches
  • St. Paul — 32.5 inches
  • Rochester — 33.5 inches

The cities with the best weather in Minnesota are New Ulm, St. Peter, Mankato, Shakopee, Farmington, Marshall, North Mankato, Apple Valley, Eden Prairie, and Fairmont.

There’s a complete chart at the bottom.

If you’re curious, here are the places with the worst weather in Minnesota:

  1. Cloquet
  2. East Bethel
  3. Andover

For more Minnesota reading, check out:

Detailed List Of Places With The Best Weather In Minnesota

Rank City Population Sunny Days Avg. High Precipitation (Inches) Snow (Inches)
1 New Ulm 13,287 308.7 55.5 29.3 39.6
2 St. Peter 11,492 305.8 55.6 30.7 40.2
3 Mankato 40,557 302.1 55.5 31.2 39.0
4 Shakopee 39,137 307.0 55.7 31.3 50.1
5 Farmington 22,159 304.5 55.4 31.7 42.2
6 Marshall 13,608 310.4 55.1 27.2 46.5
7 North Mankato 13,438 302.1 55.3 31.2 39.0
8 Apple Valley 50,309 304.5 55.4 32.1 44.5
9 Eden Prairie 62,626 308.0 55.3 31.8 50.9
10 Fairmont 10,387 304.6 55.3 32.0 45.0
11 Worthington 12,990 309.3 54.2 29.0 38.5
12 Eagan 65,424 302.0 55.4 32.1 47.3
13 Mendota Heights 11,172 303.2 55.4 32.2 49.4
14 Burnsville 61,255 303.8 55.3 32.0 46.1
15 Prior Lake 24,402 307.0 55.2 31.4 47.6
16 Chaska 24,524 307.0 55.0 30.8 48.7
17 Bloomington 85,826 303.2 55.4 32.1 52.0
18 Hastings 22,423 300.9 55.2 31.6 39.6
19 St. Paul 295,043 303.7 55.4 32.5 51.0
20 Inver Grove Heights 34,417 302.0 55.4 32.3 48.1
21 Northfield 20,309 301.4 55.4 31.6 41.8
22 West St. Paul 19,709 302.0 55.4 32.3 49.5
23 St. Michael 16,911 308.9 54.5 30.9 42.2
24 Hutchinson 13,941 309.7 54.3 28.7 43.8
25 Elk River 23,563 308.9 54.7 31.2 39.8
26 Savage 28,713 303.2 55.4 31.8 50.1
27 Winona 27,437 298.5 56.4 34.1 33.8
28 Alexandria 11,614 314.9 51.7 25.5 42.6
29 Lakeville 58,592 304.5 55.2 31.6 44.3
30 Rogers 12,002 308.9 54.6 31.3 44.1
31 Richfield 36,059 303.2 55.2 32.0 52.2
32 Mounds View 12,584 303.8 55.4 32.6 51.2
33 North St. Paul 11,966 303.8 55.4 32.6 51.2
34 Little Canada 10,120 303.8 55.4 32.6 51.2
35 Big Lake 10,285 308.9 54.4 30.4 42.2
36 Buffalo 15,825 308.8 54.2 30.2 42.2
37 South St. Paul 20,413 302.0 55.3 32.3 49.3
38 Monticello 13,065 308.8 54.3 30.2 42.2
39 Otsego 14,634 308.6 54.3 30.1 43.6
40 Fergus Falls 13,266 315.7 52.0 24.8 45.8
41 Cottage Grove 35,405 300.9 55.2 32.1 45.3
42 Willmar 19,685 309.3 54.0 28.9 46.2
43 Roseville 34,948 305.6 55.4 32.7 52.4
44 Chanhassen 24,437 308.0 54.8 31.3 52.2
45 Waconia 11,494 307.0 54.5 30.5 48.7
46 New Brighton 22,080 305.6 55.3 32.5 52.5
47 Minnetonka 51,249 305.5 54.7 31.7 51.8
48 St. Cloud 66,298 308.2 53.6 28.1 47.9
49 Sauk Rapids 13,196 308.2 53.6 28.1 47.8
50 Rosemount 22,741 299.5 55.4 32.4 43.0
51 Bemidji 14,417 307.2 50.0 25.3 45.0
52 Sartell 16,274 308.2 53.6 28.0 48.7
53 Maplewood 39,775 302.0 55.3 33.0 49.8
54 Crystal 22,607 302.7 55.0 32.0 52.0
55 Brainerd 13,462 306.7 52.2 27.8 46.3
56 Vadnais Heights 12,968 303.3 55.3 32.6 52.1
57 Edina 49,373 301.2 55.2 32.1 53.5
58 Woodbury 65,667 302.0 55.1 32.7 48.0
59 Faribault 23,509 301.4 55.2 32.1 43.1
60 Minneapolis 399,950 301.0 55.3 32.4 53.1
61 Shoreview 25,951 303.3 55.2 32.4 52.3
62 Hugo 14,053 303.3 55.3 32.1 53.0
63 Hopkins 17,992 300.6 55.1 31.9 53.3
64 White Bear Lake 24,709 303.3 55.2 32.9 51.6
65 Oakdale 27,850 302.0 55.0 33.2 49.6
66 Red Wing 16,484 297.3 55.5 32.4 45.1
67 Forest Lake 19,170 301.0 55.3 31.0 52.7
68 Lino Lakes 20,819 303.3 55.1 32.0 54.3
69 Owatonna 25,552 301.7 55.0 32.6 42.8
70 Moorhead 40,935 309.5 52.5 23.9 55.1
71 Albert Lea 17,843 301.7 54.8 34.0 37.3
72 Maple Grove 65,687 300.6 54.8 31.9 48.9
73 St. Louis Park 47,043 300.6 55.0 32.2 53.2
74 Columbia Heights 19,632 300.5 55.2 32.5 52.7
75 Austin 24,687 301.7 54.7 33.7 41.2
76 Champlin 23,731 300.6 54.9 31.8 51.4
77 Hibbing 16,284 309.3 49.8 28.9 59.2
78 Plymouth 73,896 300.6 54.7 32.2 52.2
79 Brooklyn Center 30,684 300.6 55.1 32.5 54.1
80 Golden Valley 20,866 300.6 54.9 32.6 52.5
81 Grand Rapids 10,996 301.9 50.9 28.1 51.3
82 Robbinsdale 14,289 300.6 55.0 32.6 52.8
83 North Branch 10,104 301.0 54.4 31.2 51.3
84 Fridley 27,592 300.5 55.1 32.3 54.9
85 Stillwater 18,677 299.0 55.1 33.7 49.3
86 Ramsey 24,846 299.2 54.9 31.9 50.9
87 Rochester 110,275 302.8 54.5 33.5 49.1
88 Coon Rapids 61,946 299.2 54.8 31.9 52.7
89 Blaine 60,224 299.2 55.0 32.0 55.5
90 Brooklyn Park 78,195 300.6 54.8 32.2 54.7
91 New Hope 20,775 300.6 54.9 32.6 53.6
92 Anoka 17,244 299.8 54.9 32.2 54.1
93 Ham Lake 15,714 299.8 54.9 32.2 54.1
94 Duluth 86,178 300.9 48.8 30.6 71.5
95 Andover 31,553 299.2 54.8 32.3 54.8
96 East Bethel 11,625 299.2 54.6 32.1 56.0
97 Cloquet 12,071 300.5 50.5 31.3 66.4
About Chris Kolmar

Chris Kolmar has been in the real estate business for almost ten years now. He originally worked for Movoto Real Estate as the director of marketing before founding HomeSnacks.

He believes the key to finding the right place to live comes down to looking at the data, reading about things to do, and, most importantly, checking it out yourself before you move.

If you've been looking for a place to live in the past several years, you've probably stumbled upon his writing already.

You can find out more about him on LinkedIn or his website.

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