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Weather & Climate in South St. Paul, MN
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
South St. Paul experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 47°F (8°C). Winters average 16°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. The area gets 276 sunny days per year, well above the U.S. average of 205 / making it one of the sunnier locations in the country. Annual precipitation totals 29.2 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36. The city sits at an elevation of 827 feet.
Temperature
16°F Jan (-9°C)
73°F Jul (23°C)
| Annual Average | 46.5°F |
| 14% below US avg | |
| January Average | 16°F (-9°C) |
| July Average | 73°F (23°C) |
| Sunny Days | 276 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 827 ft (252 m) |
| Area | 6.1 sq mi (15.9 km²) |
| Population Density | 3,665/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 44.8880°N, 93.0405°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Dakota County County |
| Nearest Airport | Minneapolis-St Paul International/Wold-Chamberlain (MSP) 9 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 36.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 89.5 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 10.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 92.5 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively High |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively High |
| Strong Wind | Very High |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively High |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
1 earthquake (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M2.8.
| Apr 25, 2017 | Near Mankato, Minnesota | M2.8 | 109 km | 0 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
489 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 55 fatalities, 1,190 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 4, 1958 | EF5 | 56 km | 33.7 mi | 21 |
| Jul 3, 1983 | EF4 | 43 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| May 6, 1965 | EF4 | 39 km | 6.9 mi | 0 |
| May 6, 1965 | EF4 | 25 km | 6.8 mi | 3 |
| May 6, 1965 | EF4 | 29 km | 17.3 mi | 6 |
| May 6, 1965 | EF4 | 57 km | 12.3 mi | 3 |
| May 21, 1957 | EF4 | 78 km | 9.2 mi | 0 |
| May 16, 2017 | EF3 | 80 km | 82.5 mi | 1 |
| May 25, 2008 | EF3 | 33 km | 6.0 mi | 1 |
| Mar 29, 1998 | EF3 | 95 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 1, 1997 | EF3 | 81 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 16, 1992 | EF3 | 95 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 27, 1987 | EF3 | 44 km | 30.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 23, 1987 | EF3 | 45 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 26, 1984 | EF3 | 21 km | 5.5 mi | 1 |
| Jun 14, 1981 | EF3 | 20 km | 16.2 mi | 1 |
| Jul 30, 1977 | EF3 | 72 km | 9.1 mi | 0 |
| May 6, 1965 | EF3 | 92 km | 15.5 mi | 0 |
| May 24, 1958 | EF3 | 30 km | 59.4 mi | 0 |
| Jun 23, 1952 | EF3 | 67 km | 18.2 mi | 2 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNIT 4 (5,887 acres, 2002).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2002 | UNIT 4 | 5,887 | 90 km |
| 2003 | UNITS 37 38 39 A | 4,879 | 82 km |
| 1998 | UNITS 1617 | 4,649 | 87 km |
| 2005 | RX HFR 05 | 4,253 | 87 km |
| 2009 | BU9 | 4,112 | 90 km |
| 2007 | WUI 07 - UNIT 36 | 4,025 | 81 km |
| 2000 | UNIT 25 | 3,412 | 82 km |
| 2009 | BU11 | 3,242 | 87 km |
| 1997 | BIG | 2,987 | 84 km |
| 2009 | UNNAMED | 2,904 | 42 km |
| 2003 | UNITS 34 33 W | 2,637 | 82 km |
| 2024 | UNIT 8E RX | 2,551 | 88 km |
| 1992 | SHARPTAIL | 2,288 | 82 km |
| 2010 | WUI 10 UNIT D | 2,042 | 82 km |
| 1996 | UNNAMED | 1,906 | 81 km |
| 2000 | UNNAMED | 1,850 | 99 km |
| 2006 | UNIT 4 | 1,732 | 90 km |
| 2009 | UNIT 23 24 26 | 1,644 | 84 km |
| 1995 | ANTLER | 1,603 | 82 km |
| 2004 | WUI UNIT 16 | 1,592 | 88 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 16°F (-9°C) | 0.9 in | Coldest |
| February | 20°F (-7°C) | 0.8 in | Driest |
| March | 32°F (0°C) | 1.7 in | |
| April | 47°F (8°C) | 2.5 in | |
| May | 60°F (15°C) | 3.3 in | |
| June | 69°F (20°C) | 4.3 in | Wettest |
| July | 73°F (23°C) | 4.0 in | Warmest |
| August | 71°F (21°C) | 4.0 in | |
| September | 61°F (16°C) | 3.1 in | |
| October | 49°F (10°C) | 2.3 in | |
| November | 33°F (0°C) | 1.8 in | |
| December | 19°F (-7°C) | 1.0 in |
South St. Paul has a seasonal temperature swing of 57°F / from 16°F in January to 73°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 29.6 inches, with June being the wettest month (4.3") and February the driest (0.8").