Retirement Lists

Climate in Duluth, Minnesota

Duluth, Minnesota, as seen from the 5th Avenue bridge over I-35.
Photo by Tony Webster from San Francisco, California via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0

Duluth climate

A short comfortable season sits between cool summers and a long frozen winter

Duluth's average summer high is about 74°F, with about zero days above 90°F. The average winter low is about 5°F, and the published climate row lists about 176 days below freezing. Humidity is about 84 percent, four months are comfortable, and June through September are the listed easier months.

The current air quality metric is Excellent, with published NASA POWER and Open Meteo inputs behind the climate surface. Air quality does not remove the winter work. Snow, ice, wind, low sun, heating, parking, sidewalk clearing, hills, and indoor access can determine whether a home feels workable from November through early spring.

Living through the seasons

Summers are the easier season. Winter comfort deserves a closer look.

Overall Comfort
Moderate

2.5 / 5

Average Summer High
74°F

Mild · 74°F

Days Above 90°F
0 days/year

Excellent

Summer Feel
Excellent

4.8 / 5

Average Winter Low
5°F / -15°C

Poor

Days Below Freezing
176 days/year

Poor

Winter Feel
Poor

1 / 5

The shape of the year

Humidity, comfortable months, and sunshine show how the seasons differ.

Humidity
84%

Poor

Comfortable Months
4 months

Poor

Solar Exposure
1364 peak sun hrs/yr

Poor

Air, allergies, and weather

Air quality and allergies shape day to day comfort. The best months and weather risks help with timing.

Air and allergies

Air Quality
Excellent

4.7 / 5

Allergy Levels
Poor

Current AQI

Checking…

Current PM2.5

Checking…

Timing and weather

Long Term Fine Particle Pollution
5.4 µg/m³ 2021-2025 modeled average

Good · 5.4 µg/m³ 2021-2025 modeled average

Best Months
Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
Toughest Months
Feb, Jan, Dec
Heat Risk
Low

Very Good

Drought Risk
Low
Weather Volatility
Moderate

3.1 / 5

Duluth in everyday life

Could Duluth work for you?

What may work well

  • Cool summers, about zero days above 90°F, Excellent published air quality, and the Lakewalk support outdoor time during the easier season.
  • Libraries, University for Seniors, the Depot, arts resources, parks, and indoor medical campus services can carry more of the year indoors.
  • The climate rows make the winter tradeoff visible before a household chooses a home or visits only in warm weather.

What to think about

  • A 5°F average winter low, about 176 freezing days, high humidity, snow, ice, hills, and short daylight can make the cold season demanding.
  • Four comfortable months place more importance on heating, indoor space, accessible entrances, snow service, parking, and backup transportation.
  • County flood and storm rows and Lake Superior weather add separate property and route questions beyond temperature averages.

Plan the Duluth year around heat, deep cold, snow, daylight, and indoor choices

  1. Inspect cold weather features

    Review heating, insulation, windows, pipes, entrances, stairs, snow service, ice, sidewalks, parking, vehicle storage, power, and an indoor room for the long frozen season.

  2. Use the easier months well

    Plan Lakewalk, parks, library, cultural, and care trips around June through September, then verify weather, wind, surfaces, shade, parking, access, and return travel.

  3. Pair air with home comfort

    Use published air quality and seasonal inputs, then ask about humidity, filters, ventilation, allergies, heating, cooling, daylight, basement, drainage, and power.

  4. Use the decision actions

    Save the strongest seasonal plan, Compare another home, and choose Find my fit after snow, ice, heat, heating, indoor life, flood, storm, and mobility questions are answered.

Questions retirees ask

How warm are Duluth summers?

The average summer high is about 74°F, with approximately zero days above 90°F. Review wind, humidity, shade, trail surfaces, parking, water, mobility, and a return route for lake outings.

How severe is the winter planning issue?

The average winter low is about 5°F and the ledger lists about 176 days below freezing. Heat, pipes, entrances, stairs, snow, ice, parking, sidewalks, vehicle storage, power, and care routes need attention.

Which months are usually easier outdoors?

June, July, August, and September are the listed easier months, while February, January, and December are toughest. Check current weather, wind, surfaces, trail status, and mobility for each plan.

What does Excellent air quality tell a retiree?

It describes the current published air quality metric and modeled inputs. Humidity, filters, ventilation, allergies, personal sensitivity, snow, cold, and indoor comfort remain separate household questions.

Are county hazard rows address specific?

No. St. Louis County flood, storm, heat, wildfire, and drought rows are area level planning measures. Review the basement, drainage, roof, trees, insurance, power, and alternate routes at the selected property.

Duluth offers cool summers and a strong outdoor window, but the 5°F winter low, 176 freezing days, snow, ice, low sun, hills, and four month comfortable season make the home and winter plan decisive. Save the year plan, Compare another address, and choose Find my fit after heating, snow, parking, power, and indoor life are clear.

Sources

Climate comfort helps estimate how practical daily life may feel across the year, especially for heat, humidity, cold, and seasonal constraints.

Seasonal timing, health conditions, air conditioning, air quality, and elevation can change the lived experience.

Partnerships never affect rankings, scores, methodology, or inclusion.

Partner with Retirement Lists

Research and writing by

How this city research is made

Retirement Lists uses documented public sources and methods to research, review, and correct city information. Read our Editorial Policy.