Northeast Minnesota - MN03
Included Counties: St. Louis, Lake, Cook
Watersheds:
Baptism-Brule, Beaver-Lester, Cloquet, Lake Superior, Little Fork, Prairie-Willow, Rainy Headwaters, Rainy Lake, St. Louis, Vermilion
Geography Minnesota’s Northeast Climate Division occupies the storied “North Shore” of Lake Superior from Duluth to Grand Portage National Monument and the Canadian border. It extends west to include Voyageurs National Park. The North Shore is composed of alternating stretches of rocky cliffs and cobblestone beaches, with rolling ridges covered in boreal forests extending back from the lake. Inland, agricultural lands give way to dense forests, wilderness, and natural wetlands in the north. The terrain is generally flat with rolling hills. Numerous public lands, rustic beaches, and scenic waterways draw considerable tourism to the region. Overview Northern Minnesota and North Dakota are affectionately called “the icebox of America”, with good reason. Bitterly cold temperatures often descend from the Canadian Plains. The region often sees the coldest average annual temperatures in the contiguous United States. Spring, Fall, and Summer temperatures are generally mild, but outbreaks of heat and humidity during the summer are not uncommon. Annually, most of the precipitation is delivered to the division during summer thunderstorms.
In partnership with the Midwest Regional Climate Center and the Office of the Michigan State Climatologist, GLISA has developed summaries of the observed historical climate for NOAA U.S. Climate Divisions within the Great Lakes basin. Each summary includes an overview of temperature and precipitation to help guide local-level climate adaptation decisions.
Changes in Precipitation
| in.cm. | % | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual | 0.92.3 | 3.18 |
| Winter | 0.92.4 | 30.75 |
| Spring | 0.00.1 | 0.60 |
| Summer | -0.9-2.3 | -7.66 |
| Fall | 0.82.1 | 11.62 |
Linear best-fit changes are calculated over the period 1951-2025. Percentage changes are calculated relative to the 1951-1980 historical reference period.
Annual Precipitation Narrative:
In contrast to most of the Great Lakes region and midwestern United States, much of the Lake Superior basin, including northern Minnesota and northern Wisconsin, has seen decreasing total annual precipitation. The reasons for this subregional decline are unclear. Snowfall totals have appeared to remain relatively stable or increase, with lake effect zones seeing increases over the last several decades.
Changes in Temperature
| °F | °C | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual | 3.2 | 1.8 |
| Winter | 5.2 | 2.9 |
| Spring | 2.3 | 1.3 |
| Summer | 2.0 | 1.1 |
| Fall | 3.7 | 2.0 |
Linear best-fit changes are calculated over the period 1951-2025.
Annual Temperature Narrative:
Annual average temperatures in Northern Minnesota have warmed much faster than the national and global rates since the 1950s. Much of this warming is driven by warming during the late winter and early spring. Overnight low temperatures have warmed faster than mid-day highs in most locations.
Seasonal Precipitation
Seasonal Precipitation Narrative:
While all seasons have been variable over time, summer precipitation has been most variable (by volume), and has declined sharply over the last 20 years.
Seasonal Temperature
Seasonal Temperature Narrative:
Winter and spring have warmed faster than fall and summer. Warmer springs in the 1980s and warm winters in the early 2000s have significantly affected trends over the last 50 years.