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It’s hard to imagine life without freezing temperatures lately in Minnesota. But the weather maps and the calendar are working against sub-freezing temperatures in southern Minnesota by the time we reach late April.

The average date of the last 32 degree temperature of the season at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport is April 25. 

Freezes in much of northern Minnesota are likely into May and even early June.

Early morning minimum temperatures will hover near or below 32 degree mark in much of Minnesota this weekend. 

But the medium-range forecast maps look much milder through next week and beyond. Right now temperatures below 33 degrees are not forecast for the Twin Cities starting next week by most forecast models, including NOAA’s GFS 16-day output.

It’s hard to believe, but May begins two weeks from Friday. Once we get to early May, the odds of a freeze in the Twin Cities drops by the day. I’d say there’s a 50/50 chance that this weekend could be the last 32 degree temperature of spring in the inner Twin Cities urban (494/694) core. 

Many early garden plantings can be covered by a blanket if frost threatens early in the season. You may be able to get some of your early garden projects started in the next two weeks in the Twin Cities and southern Minnesota.

Weather and Climate News

Updraft® - Minnesota Weather News

Paul Huttner

Author

The average date of the last freeze of the season in the Twin Cities occurs in late April.

Temperature forecast for Twin Cities area

NOAA via Weather Bell

Probability of the last spring freeze at MSP Airport

Data via Minnesota DNR Climate Working Group

Median date of last spring 32-degree temperature

Midwest Regional Climate Center

NOAA

NOAA GFS model 16-day temperature outlook for Minneapolis 

Last freeze of spring at MSP airport this weekend?

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