There is no formal definition of "hot weather," because what's hot in one place may seem normal in another. In Minnesota, a 90-degree day is as good a threshold as any. Far northern Minnesota and parts of the north shore of Lake Superior generally average just 1-3 days per year with high temperatures of 90 F or higher per year. Central and eastern Minnesota average 5-10 of these hot days per year. In southern and southeastern Minnesota, it's 10-15 days on average, and parts of southwestern and western Minnesota average 15-20 90-degree days per year.
Based on the 1991-2020 climate normals, the Twin Cities airport averages about 13 days per year with 90-degree F high temperatures. In 1988, the station observed a record 44 such days. There have been three years with no 90 F days in the Twin Cities: 1902, 1915, and 1993.
Following are the top years for 90-degree F high temperatures in the Twin Cities since 1873.
Year | # 90 F days in Twin Cities | Highest Temperature (F) |
---|---|---|
1988 | 44 | 105 |
1936 | 36 | 108 |
1937 | 34 | 100 |
1934 | 34 | 106 |
2023 | 33 | 98 |
1949 | 33 | 101 |
1933 | 32 | 100 |
2012 | 31 | 102 |
1976 | 31 | 100 |
1955 | 31 | 100 |
1931 | 30 | 104 |
1894 | 30 | 100 |
1959 | 29 | 96 |
2021 | 27 | 99 |
2007 | 27 | 98 |
1964 | 27 | 98 |
1948 | 27 | 101 |
1947 | 27 | 102 |
Modified May 20, 2024