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Contents
- The climate of Rochester
- The best time to visit Rochester
- The worst time to visit Rochester
- Spring weather in Rochester
- Summer weather in Rochester
- Autumn weather in Rochester
- Winter weather in Rochester
- Weather in January
- Weather in February
- Weather in March
- Weather in April
- Weather in May
- Weather in June
- Weather in July
- Weather in August
- Weather in September
- Weather in October
- Weather in November
- Weather in December
- Frequently asked questions
- Average temperature
- Average pressure
- Average wind speed
- Average humidity
- Average rainfall
- Average rainfall days
- Average snowfall
- Average snowfall days
- Average daylight
- Average sunshine
- Average sunshine days
- Average UV index
- Average cloud cover
- Average visibility
The cityscape of Rochester, Minnesota, with a beautiful city park surrounded by water
The climate of Rochester
Rochester, situated in Minnesota, USA, is classified as a Humid Continental climate under the Köppen Climate Classification system, with the code Dfb. This denotes no dry season and warm summers. Over the course of a year, Rochester experiences varied weather conditions in accordance with this climate division.
Throughout the year, significant variations can be observed across a range of weather parameters in Rochester. With regard to temperature, monthly average highs fluctuate from 20.7°F (-6.3°C) to 78.6°F (25.9°C), while lows range from 7.7°F (-13.5°C) to 61.7°F (16.5°C). There is a substantial increase in temperatures from winter to summer and an ensuing decrease as the year progresses from summer to winter.
Rochester's relative humidity varies from 74% to 91% over the course of a year. The city also experiences fluctuations in rainfall, with monthly averages ranging from 0.47" (12mm) to 3.11" (79mm). An especially noted increase in rainfall occurs from May to June. Moreover, data shows that Rochester has between 2.3 to 15.3 days of rainfall each month throughout the year.
Another distinguishing element of Rochester's weather is its snowfall that ranges from zero inches during summer months to 4.09" (104mm) in February. Snowfall days fluctuate from zero in summer to 12.8 days in January. These factors contribute to the unique weather patterns of the city.
Throughout the year, significant variations can be observed across a range of weather parameters in Rochester. With regard to temperature, monthly average highs fluctuate from 20.7°F (-6.3°C) to 78.6°F (25.9°C), while lows range from 7.7°F (-13.5°C) to 61.7°F (16.5°C). There is a substantial increase in temperatures from winter to summer and an ensuing decrease as the year progresses from summer to winter.
Rochester's relative humidity varies from 74% to 91% over the course of a year. The city also experiences fluctuations in rainfall, with monthly averages ranging from 0.47" (12mm) to 3.11" (79mm). An especially noted increase in rainfall occurs from May to June. Moreover, data shows that Rochester has between 2.3 to 15.3 days of rainfall each month throughout the year.
Another distinguishing element of Rochester's weather is its snowfall that ranges from zero inches during summer months to 4.09" (104mm) in February. Snowfall days fluctuate from zero in summer to 12.8 days in January. These factors contribute to the unique weather patterns of the city.
The best time to visit Rochester
Visitors to Rochester might find the summer months, between June to August, as the most pleasant. During this time, average high temperatures range from 70.7°F (21.5°C) to 78.6°F (25.9°C), offering a warm and inviting climate. June, in particular, experiences the longest daylight hours with 15.4 hours, along with considerable sunshine hours, averaging at 9.1 hours a day. The average relative humidity during this period is at a comfortable level, varying from 81 to 82%.
The worst time to visit Rochester
Winter months, specifically from December to February, are usually considered less favorable for visiting Rochester due to the harsh weather conditions. During this time, temperatures severely drop. The average high temperatures are between 20.7°F (-6.3°C) to 38.2°F (3.4°C), and the lows drop to chilling levels, from 7.7°F (-13.5°C) to 25.2°F (-3.8°C). Snowfall reaches its peak during these months, with up to 4.09" (104mm) in February, contributing to the severe weather conditions.
Spring weather in Rochester
In Rochester, spring weather is characterized by a steady rise in temperatures. From March to May, temperatures increase, with high temperatures averaging between 38.8°F (3.8°C) and 64.9°F (18.3°C) and low temperatures from 25.2°F (-3.8°C) to 48.7°F (9.3°C). The city also starts to experience more rainfall during these months, and the days increasingly become longer and brighter, offering more sunlight.
Summer weather in Rochester
Summers, running from June to August, are the warmest in Rochester. High temperatures in these months fluctuate between 70.7°F (21.5°C) and 78.6°F (25.9°C), while low temperatures stay from 52°F (11.1°C) to 61.7°F (16.5°C). It is also the wettest period with rainfall peaking at 3.11" (79mm) in June. Despite the rain, the city enjoys the longest daylight hours, reaching up to 15.4 hours in June.
Autumn weather in Rochester
Autumn weather in Rochester, from September to November, features a decline in temperatures. Average high temperatures drop from 70.7°F (21.5°C) to 41°F (5°C) and low temperatures decrease from 52°F (11.1°C) to 28.6°F (-1.9°C). This period sees less rainfall and the days gradually become shorter, with daylight hours decreasing from 12.5 hours to 9.7 hours.
Winter weather in Rochester
Winters in Rochester, from December to February, are cold and snowy. The average high temperatures decrease to between 20.7°F (-6.3°C) and 38.8°F (3.8°C), while the low temperatures drop dramatically from 15.8°F (-9°C) to 25.2°F (-3.8°C). Snowfall increases during these months, with the highest amount of 4.09" (104mm) in February. Despite the cold conditions, the city does receive some sunshine, albeit reduced to an average of 3.7 hours daily in December.
Weather in January
January in Rochester, Minnesota, stands out for its chilly conditions with temperatures plunging to a low of 7.7°F (-13.5°C), making it one of the coldest months. It's worth noting that it's an ideal time for winter sports enthusiasts to enjoy the crisp snow blanketing the city. Weather in January »
Weather in February
February, still entrenched in the grip of winter, exhibits slightly warmer temperatures compared to January. But it's still not time to put away those winter coats. Relative humidity remains at a high percentile, keeping the air frigid. Weather in February »
Weather in March
March heralds the beginning of springtime in Rochester with a noticeable rise in temperatures, which offer relief from the biting winter cold. Notably, this month has the most fluctuation in temperature, reaching highs of 38.8°F (3.8°C) and dipping to lows of 25.2°F (-3.8°C). Weather in March »
Weather in April
In April, Rochester, Minnesota, experiences a tangible shift in weather as spring takes hold. Temperatures climb, and the daylight extends noticeably as the city basks under more sunshine hours. Movement into May brings promise of warmer weather and an increase in greenery throughout the city, as a direct contrast to the recently concluded winter period. Weather in April »
Weather in May
The month of May ushers in spring in its full glory. The most striking difference between April and May is in rainfall, with May recording a significant amount of rain, upwards of 2.01" (51mm). This heralds the start of Rochester's rainy season. Weather in May »
Weather in June
Moving into June, summer begins to manifest in Rochester with the year's warmest temperatures. June is markedly characterized by more rainfall, which brings relief from the heat and keeps the city lush and verdant. As June transitions into July, residents and visitors should anticipate hotter temperatures and more sunny days. Weather in June »
Weather in July
July asserts itself as the height of summer, bringing with it Rochester's highest temperatures of 78.6°F (25.9°C). Despite the heat, the percentage of relative humidity remains high. Moving from July to August, the weather conditions remain largely the same, signaling stability in the summer pattern. Weather in July »
Weather in August
In August, the weather in Rochester, Minnesota, sees slight decreases in temperature from July, signaling a shift towards the end of summer. The daylight hours start to diminish, hinting at the impending change of seasons. Transition into September will reveal shorter days and relatively cooler temperatures. Weather in August »
Weather in September
September marks the onset of fall in Rochester, accompanied by a gradual cooling from summer's peak. This is evident in a drop in temperatures, which averages a high of 70.7°F (21.5°C). The change from September to October will see a noticeable decrease in daylight hours, signaling the start of shorter days. Weather in September »
Weather in October
October in Rochester brings with it more perceptible signs of fall. A clutter of fallen leaves paints the city in hues of orange and brown, in stark contrast to the lush green of the preceding months. The transition from October to November is marked by a further decline in temperature. Weather in October »
Weather in November
November in Rochester is characterized by the encroaching winter. This month witnesses the first fall of snow, albeit at a relatively low volume of 1.22" (31mm). The shift from November to December brings with it a change to significantly colder temperatures and more snowfall. Weather in November »
Weather in December
December brings the full swing of winter to Rochester, Minnesota, with plummeting temperatures and widespread snow covering the city. With a stable shift into colder weather, December concludes the transformation from fall to winter. Weather in December »
Updated: Feb 12, 2024
Published by: Weather U.S. | About Us
Data Sources | Weather Forecasting & Climate
Published by: Weather U.S. | About Us
Data Sources | Weather Forecasting & Climate
Frequently asked questions
What is the coldest time of year in Rochester?
January, with an average high of 20.7°F (-6.3°C) and a low of 7.7°F (-13.5°C), signifies the coldest month of the year.
What is the most humid month in Rochester?
With an average relative humidity of 91%, January is the most humid month in Rochester.
What is the driest month in Rochester?
The month with the least rainfall is January, when the rain falls for 2.5 days and typically collects 0.47" (12mm) of precipitation.
How much does it rain in Rochester?
In Rochester, during the entire year, the rain falls for 109.7 days and collects up to 16.57" (421mm) of precipitation.
When does it snow in Rochester?
January through May, October through December are months with snowfall in Rochester, Minnesota.
How much does it snow in Rochester?
In Rochester, during the entire year, snow falls for 55.2 days and aggregates up to 14.09" (358mm) of snow.
What is the month with the least sunshine in Rochester?
With an average of 3.2h of sunshine, January has the least sunshine of the year.
When is the lowest UV index in Rochester?
January, February, November and December, with an average maximum UV index of 1, are months with the lowest UV index in Rochester, Minnesota.
What is the snowiest month in Rochester?
February is the month with the most snowfall in Rochester, Minnesota. Snow falls for 11.7 days and accumulates 4.09" (104mm) of snow.
When is Daylight Saving Time (DST) in Rochester?
On Sunday, March 10. 2024, at 2:00 am, Daylight Saving Time starts in Rochester, Minnesota, and the time zone changes from CST to CDT. Daylight Saving Time ends Sunday, November 3. 2024, at 2:00 am, and the time zone reverts from CDT to CST.
What is the wettest month in Rochester?
June is the month with the most rainfall in Rochester. Rain falls for 15.3 days and accumulates 3.11" (79mm) of precipitation.
When it does not snow in Rochester?
June through September are months without snowfall.
When are the longest days in Rochester?
The month with the longest days in Rochester, Minnesota, is June, with an average of 15h and 24min of daylight.
What are the warmest months in Rochester?
In Rochester, July is the warmest month, with temperatures averaging a high of 78.6°F (25.9°C) and a low of 61.7°F (16.5°C).
What month has the most sunshine in Rochester?
The month with the most sunshine is July, with an average of 9.7h of sunshine.
When is the highest UV index in Rochester?
With an average maximum UV index of 6, July is the month with the highest UV index.
What is the least humid month in Rochester?
October is the least humid month in Rochester, with an average relative humidity of 74%.
What is the month with the shortest days in Rochester?
The month with the shortest days is December, with an average of 9h and 0min of daylight.
Average temperature
Rochester, MN
The warmest month (with the highest average high temperature) is July (78.6°F).
The month with the lowest average high temperature is January (20.7°F).
The month with the highest average low temperature is July (61.7°F).
The coldest month (with the lowest average low temperature) is January (7.7°F).
Average pressure
Rochester, MN
- Average pressure in January:
30.14"Hg - Average pressure in February:
30.13"Hg - Average pressure in March:
30.09"Hg - Average pressure in April:
29.94"Hg - Average pressure in May:
29.93"Hg - Average pressure in June:
29.88"Hg
- Average pressure in July:
29.95"Hg - Average pressure in August:
29.96"Hg - Average pressure in September:
30.01"Hg - Average pressure in October:
29.98"Hg - Average pressure in November:
30.07"Hg - Average pressure in December:
30.11"Hg
The month with the highest atmospheric pressure is January (30.14"Hg).
The month with the lowest atmospheric pressure is June (29.88"Hg).
Average wind speed
Rochester, MN
- Average wind speed in January:
10.6mph - Average wind speed in February:
10.4mph - Average wind speed in March:
10.2mph - Average wind speed in April:
10.5mph - Average wind speed in May:
9.1mph - Average wind speed in June:
8.3mph
- Average wind speed in July:
7.5mph - Average wind speed in August:
7.5mph - Average wind speed in September:
8.6mph - Average wind speed in October:
10mph - Average wind speed in November:
10.5mph - Average wind speed in December:
10.1mph
The windiest month (with the highest average wind speed) is January (10.6mph).
The calmest months (with the lowest average wind speed) are July and August (7.5mph).
Average humidity
Rochester, MN
The month with the highest relative humidity is January (91%).
The month with the lowest relative humidity is October (74%).
Average rainfall
Rochester, MN
- Average rainfall in January:
0.47" - Average rainfall in February:
0.71" - Average rainfall in March:
0.75" - Average rainfall in April:
1.61" - Average rainfall in May:
2.01" - Average rainfall in June:
3.11"
The wettest month (with the highest rainfall) is June (3.11").
The driest month (with the least rainfall) is January (0.47").
Average rainfall days
Rochester, MN
- Average rainfall days in January:
2.5 days - Average rainfall days in February:
2.3 days - Average rainfall days in March:
7.5 days - Average rainfall days in April:
12.9 days - Average rainfall days in May:
14.7 days - Average rainfall days in June:
15.3 days
- Average rainfall days in July:
13.8 days - Average rainfall days in August:
12.7 days - Average rainfall days in September:
9.5 days - Average rainfall days in October:
9.7 days - Average rainfall days in November:
5.2 days - Average rainfall days in December:
3.6 days
The month with the highest number of rainy days is June (15.3 days).
The month with the least rainy days is February (2.3 days).
Average snowfall
Rochester, MN
- Average snowfall in January:
2.2" - Average snowfall in February:
4.09" - Average snowfall in March:
1.97" - Average snowfall in April:
2.01" - Average snowfall in May:
0.51" - Average snowfall in June:
0"
The month with the highest snowfall is February (4.09").
The months with the least snowfall are June, July, August and September (0").
Average snowfall days
Rochester, MN
- Average snowfall days in January:
12.8 days - Average snowfall days in February:
11.7 days - Average snowfall days in March:
7.8 days - Average snowfall days in April:
3.2 days - Average snowfall days in May:
0.7 days - Average snowfall days in June:
0 days
- Average snowfall days in July:
0 days - Average snowfall days in August:
0 days - Average snowfall days in September:
0 days - Average snowfall days in October:
1.4 days - Average snowfall days in November:
5.6 days - Average snowfall days in December:
12 days
The month with the highest number of snowfall days is January (12.8 days).
The months with the least snowfall days are June, July, August and September (0 days).
Average daylight / Average sunshine
Rochester, MN
- Average daylight in January:
9h and 2min - Average daylight in February:
10h and 3min - Average daylight in March:
12h and 0min - Average daylight in April:
13h and 3min - Average daylight in May:
14h and 5min - Average daylight in June:
15h and 2min
- Average daylight in July:
15h and 1min - Average daylight in August:
14h and 0min - Average daylight in September:
12h and 3min - Average daylight in October:
11h and 0min - Average daylight in November:
9h and 4min - Average daylight in December:
9h and 0min
The month with the longest days is June (Average daylight: 15h and 24min).
The month with the shortest days is December (Average daylight: 9h and 0min).
- Average sunshine in January:
3h and 1min - Average sunshine in February:
3h and 3min - Average sunshine in March:
5h and 2min - Average sunshine in April:
7h and 1min - Average sunshine in May:
8h and 2min - Average sunshine in June:
9h and 1min
- Average sunshine in July:
9h and 4min - Average sunshine in August:
9h and 4min - Average sunshine in September:
8h and 4min - Average sunshine in October:
5h and 1min - Average sunshine in November:
4h and 5min - Average sunshine in December:
3h and 4min
The month with the most sunshine is July (Average sunshine: 9h and 42min).
The month with the least sunshine is January (Average sunshine: 3h and 12min).
Average sunshine days
Rochester, MN
- Average sunshine days in January:
17.8 days - Average sunshine days in February:
17 days - Average sunshine days in March:
16.9 days - Average sunshine days in April:
13 days - Average sunshine days in May:
13 days - Average sunshine days in June:
11.2 days
- Average sunshine days in July:
13 days - Average sunshine days in August:
15.2 days - Average sunshine days in September:
17.9 days - Average sunshine days in October:
18.1 days - Average sunshine days in November:
18.9 days - Average sunshine days in December:
17.4 days
The month with the most sunshine days is November (18.9 days).
The month with the least sunshine days is June (11.2 days).
Average UV index
Rochester, MN
The month with the highest UV index is July (UV index 6).
The months with the lowest UV index are January, February, November and December (UV index 1).
Average cloud cover
Rochester, MN
The month with the most cloud cover is January (Cloud cover 67).
The month with the least cloud cover is August (Cloud cover 32).
Average visibility
Rochester, MN
The months with the highest visibility are March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October and November (6mi).
The months with the lowest visibility are January, February and December (5mi).
Rochester, Minnesota, USA
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