Minneapolis' latitude and continentality contribute to the large range in seasonal temperatures and solar intensity on a meso-scale. For instance in the summer time it has been recorded that temperatures in the shade can differ as much as 10-20 degrees from areas in direct sunlight (MPR). Proximity to the Great Lakes can have a significant impact on Minneapolis' climate on a meso-scale similar to other areas north of Minneapolis such as Duluth, MN. In the winter months Minneapolis may experience cold arctic air masses, especially during the months of January and February (50STS). On a meso-scale the moderating effect of Lake Superior keeps the surrounding area relatively cooler in the summer and relatively warmer in the winter (Wiki). On a micro-scale Minneapolis experiences urban affects on cloud cover, precipitation intensity and coverage, hail, atmospheric chemical properties, low-level wind flows, and heat and moisture distribution (NWAS). In the winter months low pressure areas from Canada often move into Minneapolis causing alberta clippers or panhandle hooks; some of which develop into sharp cold fronts and drastically lower temperatures and even cause blizzards (AkaQA).
Sources:
http://minnesota.publicradio.org/collections/special/columns/updraft/archive/2010/03/target_field_features_many_mic.shtml
http://50southtenthstreet.axisportal.com/Weather.axis
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Climate_of_Minnesota
http://www.nwas.org/digest/papers/1978/Vol03No3/1978v003no03-Lyons.pdf
http://www.akaqa.com/question/q19192030710-What-is-the-medium-humidity-in-minneapolis-mn?page=1
Image Source: http://www.climatestations.com/images/stories/minneapolis/mspyear.gif
Minneapolis’
average temperatures range between 7 and 24 degrees Fahrenheit in January and
between 64 and 84 degrees Fahrenheit in July.
Temperatures tend to stay relatively moderate between April and October
while temperatures tend to fall much lower between November and February.
Overall Minneapolis tends to have
its coolest average temperatures in January and its warmest average
temperatures in July which correlates to climate patterns typical of the northern hemisphere. One suprising factor is the moderately stable wind speed patterns which seem a little too moderate for the variances in temperature considering how large of a part wind plays in the micro-scale climate controls.
According
to the Koppen Geiger Climate Classification System Minneapolis
falls in the hot summer humid continental climate
zone (Dfa) (Wiki). Minneapolis is within the lower third section of Minnesota which is classified as Dfa while the top two thirds of the state is Dfb which has milder summer conditions.
Image Source:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pierre,_South_Dakota
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