Minneapolis vs Rochester: which is sunnier?
🇺🇸 United States vs 🇺🇸 United States · 122 km apart · long-term climate normals (NASA POWER, 2001–2020)
Minneapolis and Rochester are virtually tied for annual sunshine — about 2,337 vs 2,340 hours a year. Minneapolis has the higher Sunshine Score in 2 of 12 months; the other 10 are within 2 points.
Scores are the 0–100 Sunshine Score — sunshine, daytime warmth and dryness in one number, per month.
At a glance
| Minneapolis | Rochester | |
|---|---|---|
| Sunshine hours / year | 2,337 | 2,340 |
| Sunniest month | September (76/100) | July (75/100) |
| Nov–Feb average score | 0/100 | 0/100 |
| Jun–Aug average score | 72/100 | 72/100 |
| Rain / year | 840 mm | 886 mm |
| Peak midday UV | 7 (high) | 7 (high) |
Minneapolis vs Rochester month by month
| Month | Sunshine Score | Day high °C | Rain mm | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis | Rochester | Minneapolis | Rochester | Minneapolis | Rochester | |
| January | 0 | 0 | -6° | -5° | 18 | 21 |
| February | 0 | 0 | -3° | -3° | 27 | 30 |
| March | 0 | 0 | 5° | 5° | 44 | 48 |
| April | 32 | 32 | 13° | 13° | 82 | 87 |
| May | 73 | 65 | 20° | 19° | 109 | 116 |
| June | 69 | 67 | 26° | 25° | 130 | 138 |
| July | 75 | 75 | 29° | 28° | 94 | 96 |
| August | 73 | 73 | 27° | 26° | 107 | 106 |
| September | 76 | 74 | 23° | 22° | 89 | 100 |
| October | 40 | 33 | 14° | 13° | 70 | 69 |
| November | 0 | 0 | 5° | 5° | 33 | 38 |
| December | 0 | 0 | -3° | -3° | 37 | 37 |
The sunnier month by month: Jan even · Feb even · Mar even · Apr even · May Minneapolis · Jun even · Jul even · Aug even · Sep even · Oct Minneapolis · Nov even · Dec even.
When to pick which
- November–February: too close to call — Minneapolis averages 0/100, Rochester 0/100. Daytime highs are similar (-2°C vs -1°C). See the winter sun ranking.
- March–May: Minneapolis (average score 35/100 vs 32). Daytime highs are similar (13°C vs 12°C).
- June–August: too close to call — Minneapolis averages 72/100, Rochester 72/100. Daytime highs are similar (27°C vs 26°C).
- September–October: Minneapolis (average score 58/100 vs 54). Daytime highs are similar (19°C vs 18°C).
Full month-by-month guides: Minneapolis weather by month · Rochester weather by month · Best time to visit United States.
More comparisons: Minneapolis vs Sioux Falls · Minneapolis vs Duluth · Rochester vs Madison · Rochester vs Cedar Rapids · Rochester vs Duluth · all head-to-heads