PlainClimate
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Preston, MN Climate

Temperature, precipitation, and comfort score from NOAA NCEI 1991-2020 normals →

30-year climate normals from 1 weather station (1991-2020).

Preston, Minnesota has an average annual temperature of 44°F and a climate comfort score of 52/100 (Moderate). Annual precipitation totals 36.8", including 42.2" of snow. Based on NOAA 30-year normals (1991–2020).

Avg Temperature

44°F (7°C)

Avg High

55°F

Avg Low

33°F

Annual Precip

36.8"

Annual Snow

42.2"

Comfort Score

52/100

Moderate

Climate Comfort Score

52/100

Moderate

Avg Annual Temperature

44°F

30-year mean (NOAA NCEI)

Annual Precipitation

36.8"

Plus 42.2" of snow

Comfort score vs national 100-point ceiling (Preston) 52.0%
National median (≈55)

PlainClimate composite — temperature mildness, humidity, precipitation, extreme-weather frequency. Moderate for the Preston area.

Warming context for Preston

Methodology

How the U.S. land temperature anomaly tracks against the global mean since 1900. The current NOAA 1991-2020 normal for Preston captures average conditions across the spread shown — the most recent decade is warmer than the 30-year mean.

Warming context — U.S. vs global, with Paris reference lines Anomaly chart from 1900 to 2024. Local series shows warming of 0.11 °C per decade versus a global rate of 0.11 °C per decade (ratio 1.00). Paris Agreement thresholds at 1.5 and 2.0 °C are dashed. -1.0°C -0.5°C +0.0°C +0.5°C +1.0°C +1.5°C +2.0°C +2.5°C Paris 1.5°C Paris 2.0°C 1900192019401960198020002020
  • United States land mean (NOAA NCEI) +0.11 °C/decade
  • Global anomaly (NASA GISTEMP) +0.11 °C/decade
  • Paris Agreement thresholds 1.5°C / 2.0°C
Sources: NOAA NCEI, NASA GISTEMP. Paris thresholds per IPCC AR6 WG1.

Monthly Temperatures

Average daily high and low temperatures by month

Month Avg High Avg Low Mean
January 24°F (-5°C) 4°F (-15°C) 14°F (-10°C)
February 28°F (-2°C) 8°F (-13°C) 18°F (-8°C)
March 41°F (5°C) 21°F (-6°C) 31°F (-1°C)
April 55°F (13°C) 32°F (0°C) 44°F (7°C)
May 68°F (20°C) 44°F (7°C) 56°F (13°C)
June 78°F (25°C) 54°F (12°C) 66°F (19°C)
July 81°F (27°C) 58°F (15°C) 70°F (21°C)
August 79°F (26°C) 56°F (13°C) 68°F (20°C)
September 73°F (23°C) 47°F (8°C) 60°F (16°C)
October 59°F (15°C) 35°F (1°C) 47°F (8°C)
November 43°F (6°C) 23°F (-5°C) 33°F (1°C)
December 29°F (-1°C) 12°F (-11°C) 21°F (-6°C)

Monthly Precipitation

Average monthly rainfall and snowfall

January 1.1"

Snow: 11.0"

8.4 days with precipitation

February 1.2"

Snow: 8.2"

7.0 days with precipitation

March 2.0"

Snow: 7.5"

8.6 days with precipitation

April 3.8"

Snow: 2.5"

11.0 days with precipitation

May 4.5"

Snow: 0.3"

13.8 days with precipitation

June 6.0"

13.1 days with precipitation

July 4.2"

10.6 days with precipitation

August 4.3"

10.4 days with precipitation

September 3.7"

9.6 days with precipitation

October 2.7"

Snow: 0.3"

9.9 days with precipitation

November 1.9"

Snow: 2.6"

7.4 days with precipitation

December 1.4"

Snow: 9.8"

8.9 days with precipitation

Frost Dates & Growing Season

First Fall Freeze

September 28

50% probability date

Last Spring Freeze

May 14

50% probability date

Heating & Cooling Degree Days

Annual totals indicate energy demand for heating and cooling

Heating Degree Days

8,153

Higher = more heating needed

Cooling Degree Days

452

Higher = more cooling needed

Warmest Month

July

Coldest Month

January

Related Data

Climate Guides

Climate Insight: Preston, MN

The NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals describe Preston, Minnesota as a location with an annual average temperature of 44°F, ranging from a mean daily high of 55°F to a mean daily low of 33°F. July is typically the warmest month of the year, while January is the coldest. These thirty-year averages, computed from station USC00216654, smooth out year-to-year variability and give a baseline expectation for typical conditions in any given month.

Precipitation patterns matter as much as temperature for anyone planning to live, garden, or travel here. Preston receives roughly 36.8 inches of precipitation each year, with 42.2 inches typically falling as snow. Growing-season length varies with elevation and microclimate, with the last spring freeze near May 14 and the first fall freeze near September 28. For energy use, 8,153 heating degree days and 452 cooling degree days tell the story of how often furnaces and air conditioners run during a normal year.

On PlainClimate's composite comfort index, Preston scores 52/100 (Moderate), a blended measure that weighs temperature mildness, precipitation moderation, and extreme-weather frequency against one another. Use the monthly tables above to plan around specific windows — shoulder seasons for mild highs and lows, peak summer for July-driven heat, or deep winter for January-driven cold. All figures here are thirty-year averages: any single year may run warmer, wetter, drier, or cooler than the normal, so treat them as planning guidance rather than forecasts.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average temperature in Preston, MN?
The average annual temperature in Preston, Minnesota is 44°F. The warmest month averages 81°F (27°C) and the coldest averages 4°F (-15°C).
How much rain does Preston get?
Preston receives 36.8 inches of precipitation annually, including 42.2 inches of snow. Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991-2020).
What is the comfort score for Preston?
Preston has a climate comfort score of 52/100 (Moderate). This score considers temperature mildness, humidity, precipitation, and extreme weather frequency.
When is the growing season in Preston?
Growing season data is not available for Preston.
How much energy does heating and cooling require in Preston?
Preston has 8,153 heating degree days and 452 cooling degree days annually. Higher heating degree days indicate greater winter energy demand, while higher cooling degree days indicate greater summer cooling needs.
Where does this Preston climate data come from?
All climate data comes from NOAA U.S. Climate Normals v1.0.1, covering the 30-year period from 1991 to 2020. Data is collected from weather station USC00216654. These 30-year averages are the standard reference for typical weather conditions.

Data Sources

Data source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals v1.0.1 (1991-2020). Station: USC00216654. For informational purposes only.

Related

Data sourced from official public datasets. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainClimate Editorial