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Rochester, MN Weather by Month and Climate Averages
Monthly normals · Rain · Snow
Sunshine · Freeze dates · Records · Best time to visit
What is the weather like in Rochester, MN?
Rochester, MN gets 34.7 in of precipitation a year over about 124 rainy days, and about 53.1 in of snow a season. July is the warmest month (average high 80°F) and January the coldest (average low 7°F).
Humid continental climate
Rochester, MN has warm summers and cold winters. Daytime highs range from about 23°F in January to 80°F in July. June is usually the wettest month, and snow falls in winter. The most comfortable time to visit is typically May and August to September, when daytime highs sit near 72°F.
| Season | Months | Avg low | Avg high |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winter | Dec–Feb | 11° | 26° |
| Spring | Mar–May | 35° | 54° |
| Summer | Jun–Aug | 59° | 79° |
| Autumn | Sep–Nov | 38° | 57° |
How much rain does Rochester get?
Rochester gets 34.7 in of precipitation in an average year, spread over about 124 days with measurable rain. That is more rainy days than 81% of the US.
June is the wettest month, with 5.3 in. January is the driest, with 1.0 in. May has the most rainy days, about 13.
The longest dry spell in the last five years lasted 25 days, to February 5, 2025.
From September 2025 to August 2026 Rochester got 28.9 in of rain, against a normal of 34.7 in for those months. July 2026 had the most, with 7.4 in.
See where Rochester ranks: rainiest cities in the US, US cities with the most rainy days, rainiest cities in Minnesota.
Does it snow in Rochester?
Yes. Rochester gets about 53.1 in of snow in an average season, measured at the reporting station.
The snowiest winter on record is 2018–19, with 87.0 in.
The most recent measurable snow at the station fell on March 17, 2026.
From September 2025 to August 2026 the station measured 39.5 in of snow, against a normal of 53.1 in for those months. March 2026 had the most, with 12.6 in.
See where Rochester ranks: snowiest cities in the US.
Rochester weather by month
Rochester weather in January
In January, Rochester averages a high of 23°F and a low of 7°F. It gets 1.0 in of precipitation over about 9 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 24% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The January record high is 56°F (2025) and the record low is -32°F (1970).
Rochester weather in February
In February, Rochester averages a high of 27°F and a low of 11°F. It gets 1.0 in of precipitation over about 8 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 41% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The February record high is 69°F (2024) and the record low is -35°F (1996).
Rochester weather in March
In March, Rochester averages a high of 40°F and a low of 23°F. It gets 2.0 in of precipitation over about 10 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 34% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The March record high is 81°F (2012) and the record low is -17°F (2019).
Rochester weather in April
In April, Rochester averages a high of 55°F and a low of 35°F. It gets 3.5 in of precipitation over about 12 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 38% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The April record high is 92°F (2009) and the record low is 5°F (1982).
Rochester weather in May
In May, Rochester averages a high of 68°F and a low of 47°F. It gets 4.3 in of precipitation over about 13 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 40% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The May record high is 97°F (2013) and the record low is 22°F (1989). May is one of the most comfortable months to visit.
Rochester weather in June
In June, Rochester averages a high of 77°F and a low of 58°F. It gets 5.3 in of precipitation over about 13 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 52% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The June record high is 101°F (2011) and the record low is 35°F (1990).
Rochester weather in July
In July, Rochester averages a high of 80°F and a low of 61°F. It gets 4.2 in of precipitation over about 11 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 55% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The July record high is 102°F (1976) and the record low is 43°F (1972).
Rochester weather in August
In August, Rochester averages a high of 78°F and a low of 58°F. It gets 4.1 in of precipitation over about 10 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 56% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The August record high is 99°F (1988) and the record low is 39°F (2004). August is one of the most comfortable months to visit.
Rochester weather in September
In September, Rochester averages a high of 72°F and a low of 51°F. It gets 3.6 in of precipitation over about 9 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 60% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The September record high is 95°F (1978) and the record low is 24°F (1974). September is one of the most comfortable months to visit.
Rochester weather in October
In October, Rochester averages a high of 58°F and a low of 38°F. It gets 2.4 in of precipitation over about 10 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 51% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The October record high is 93°F (1997) and the record low is 11°F (2020).
Rochester weather in November
In November, Rochester averages a high of 42°F and a low of 26°F. It gets 1.8 in of precipitation over about 9 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 43% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The November record high is 75°F (2008) and the record low is -20°F (1977).
Rochester weather in December
In December, Rochester averages a high of 28°F and a low of 14°F. It gets 1.3 in of precipitation over about 10 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 31% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The December record high is 64°F (2017) and the record low is -33°F (1983).
Sunshine, humidity and wind in Rochester
September is the sunniest month in Rochester, with estimated sunshine of 60% of daylight hours from ERA5 cloud cover. January is the cloudiest, at 24%. The annual cloud-cover estimate is 44% of daylight hours; it is not a measurement of sunshine duration. Rochester is cloudier than 69% of the US.
Humidity peaks in January at 80% and is lowest in May at 58%.
Wind averages 12 mph over the year, and April is the windiest month at 13 mph.
Rochester has about 7 days a year above 90°F. Rochester is cooler than 85% of the US.
Thunderstorms occur on about 37 days a year.
See where Rochester ranks: sunniest cities in the US, cloudiest cities in the US, hottest cities in the US.
First and last freeze in Rochester
The first fall freeze in Rochester typically comes around October 5, and the last spring freeze around May 2. That leaves a frost-free growing season of about 156 days.
Rochester weather records
These records cover ROCHESTER INTL AP during 1970–2026. Earlier records or other stations in the city may differ.
The hottest temperature on record at the Rochester station is 102°F, on July 10, 1976. The coldest is -35°F, on February 2, 1996.
The wettest day in the available station history brought 7.5 in of precipitation, on July 11, 1981.
41 all-time records have been set at the station since 1970.
The annual mean temperature has changed by +0.6°F per decade since 1970.
The best time to visit Rochester
The most comfortable time to visit is typically May and August to September, when daytime highs sit near 72°F.
Winter (December–February) is cold, with average highs around 26°F and lows near 11°F. Snow is possible.
Spring (March–May) is chilly, with average highs around 54°F and lows near 35°F.
Summer (June–August) is warm, with average highs around 79°F and lows near 59°F.
Autumn (September–November) is mild, with average highs around 57°F and lows near 38°F.
Monthly climate
| Month | Average low | Average high | Precip | Rain days | Wind | Humidity | Estimated sunshine | Record high | Record low |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 7° | 23° | 0.99 in | 9 | 13 mph | 80% | 24% | 56° | -32° |
| February | 11° | 27° | 1.0 in | 8 | 13 mph | 73% | 41% | 69° | -35° |
| March | 23° | 40° | 2.0 in | 10 | 13 mph | 62% | 34% | 81° | -17° |
| April | 35° | 55° | 3.5 in | 12 | 13 mph | 60% | 38% | 92° | 5° |
| May | 47° | 68° | 4.3 in | 13 | 12 mph | 58% | 40% | 97° | 22° |
| June | 58° | 77° | 5.3 in | 13 | 11 mph | 60% | 52% | 101° | 35° |
| July | 61° | 80° | 4.2 in | 11 | 9 mph | 69% | 55% | 102° | 43° |
| August | 58° | 78° | 4.1 in | 10 | 9 mph | 71% | 56% | 99° | 39° |
| September | 51° | 72° | 3.6 in | 9 | 10 mph | 68% | 60% | 95° | 24° |
| October | 38° | 58° | 2.4 in | 10 | 12 mph | 64% | 51% | 93° | 11° |
| November | 26° | 42° | 1.8 in | 9 | 13 mph | 68% | 43% | 75° | -20° |
| December | 14° | 28° | 1.3 in | 10 | 13 mph | 75% | 31% | 64° | -33° |
Station: ROCHESTER INTL AP, 13 km from the city. Temperature normal baseline: 1991–2020, calculated from available NOAA GHCN-Daily observations. Available station history: 1970–2026; record values refer to this station and period, not the entire city’s history. Precipitation includes rain and the water equivalent of frozen precipitation; snowfall depth is shown separately when available. Sources and methods
From ERA5 reanalysis. Sunshine is estimated from cloud cover.
Rochester climate questions
How much rain does Rochester get?
Rochester gets 34.7 in of precipitation in an average year, over about 124 rainy days.
What is the wettest month in Rochester?
June is the wettest month in Rochester, with 5.3 in. January is the driest, with 1.0 in.
How many rainy days does Rochester have a year?
Rochester has about 124 days with measurable rain in an average year. May has the most, about 13.
Does it snow in Rochester?
Yes. Rochester gets about 53.1 in of snow in an average season. The snowiest winter on record is 2018–19, with 87.0 in.
What is the hottest month in Rochester?
July is the warmest month in Rochester, with an average high of 80°F.
What is the coldest month in Rochester?
January is the coldest month in Rochester, with an average low of 7°F.
What is the record high temperature in Rochester?
Within the available 1970–2026 station history, the record high at the Rochester station is 102°F, set on July 10, 1976. The record low is -35°F, on February 2, 1996.
What is the sunniest month in Rochester?
September is the sunniest month in Rochester, with estimated sunshine of 60% of daylight hours from ERA5 cloud cover. January is the cloudiest.
When is the first frost in Rochester?
The first fall freeze in Rochester typically comes around October 5. The last spring freeze is around May 2.
What is the best time to visit Rochester?
The most comfortable time to visit is typically May and August to September, when daytime highs sit near 72°F.