Lake of the Woods County Climate
Lake of the Woods County, Minnesota
NOAA NCEI 1991-2020 Climate NormalsAvg Annual Temp
38.5°F
Annual Precip
24.4"
Annual Snowfall
45.9"
Extreme Heat Days
3
days >= 90°F/yr
Monthly Temperature
Precipitation Calendar
Growing Season & Gardening
3b
Minimum winter temperature range for plant survival
1,822
Favors cool-season crops
Seasonal Overview
National Comparison
7-Day Outlook
Forecast
Current Conditions
Air Quality
Safety
Weather Alerts
Climate Advisory: Lake of the Woods County
Climate Verdict
Lake of the Woods County has a cold, with an average annual temperature of 38.5°F, semi-arid conditions with only 24.4 inches of annual precipitation, rare extreme heat with only 3.1666666666666665 days above 90°F annually, moderate snowfall of 45.9 inches annually. This climate profile shapes everything from energy costs to outdoor recreation opportunities.
Seasonal Breakdown
Winters are severe, with January averaging a frigid 5.0°F. summers are pleasantly cool with July averaging 67.1°F. Residents experience a substantial 62°F difference between winter and summer.
Outdoor & Gardening Guidance
Winter sports enthusiasts benefit from reliable snow cover for 3-4 months annually.
Regional Context
Lake of the Woods County is 4.3°F cooler than the Minnesota statewide average of 42.8°F, it is also noticeably drier, receiving 5.6 inches less precipitation than the state average.
Climate Profile
About Lake of the Woods County Weather
Extreme northern frontier climate
Averaging 38.5°F annually, Lake of the Woods County is roughly 15 degrees colder than the national median. It is defined by its position on the Canadian border and the massive lake that shares its name.
Far below state temperature norms
The county's 38.5°F average is significantly lower than the Minnesota state average of 42.8°F. It experiences much lower precipitation than the state average, recording only 24.4 inches annually.
Drier and colder than Lake County
While Lake County to the east is buried in over 80 inches of snow, Lake of the Woods sees a more manageable 45.9 inches. It also receives about 7 inches less total precipitation annually than its coastal neighbor.
Bitter winters and mild Julys
January is exceptionally cold with an average of 5.0°F, while July remains cool at 67.1°F. The county only sees about 3 days a year where temperatures hit the 90°F mark.
Focus on thermal efficiency
Heating systems must be rated for sub-zero performance to handle the 9.0°F winter average. While snowfall is moderate at 45.9 inches, the persistent cold means snow rarely melts between December and March, requiring consistent management.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Data sources: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020. Forecast and alert data from National Weather Service API. Air quality data from Open-Meteo.
Climate normals are 30-year averages of weather variables. Station data is aggregated to county level. Forecasts and alerts are fetched live and may change frequently. Data is informational only — not a substitute for official National Weather Service forecasts or emergency weather warnings.