Minneapolis in April

In April, Minneapolis averages 12°C (54°F) during the day and 1°C (35°F) at night, with frequent rain — about 19 days of the month see precipitation (89 mm total).

Shoulder

Conditions are cool — bring a jacket for evenings. Expect daily rain or showers, often in heavy bursts.

April is one of the wetter and less comfortable months in Minneapolis. If your dates are flexible, consider a different time of year.

12°C
Avg high
1°C
Avg low
19
Rain days
89 mm
Rainfall

How April compares to the rest of the year in Minneapolis

7th
warmest month of the 12
1st
wettest month of the 12
9%
of yearly rainfall falls in April
13 h 29 min
daylight on the 15th

April is in the middle of the year for warmth in Minneapolis (7th of 12) and one of the wettest months (1st of 12). Daytime temperature runs 1°C below the annual average (13°C). April runs 6°C warmer than March (6°C) and warms a further 9°C into May (21°C).

April sunrise & sunset in Minneapolis

🌅
Sunrise (15th)
6:28 AM
🌇
Sunset (15th)
7:57 PM
Day length
13 h 29 min

Times shown for Minneapolis local time (America/Chicago), calculated for the 15th of April. They shift by a few minutes day to day across the month.

Photography light in Minneapolis — April

Golden-hour and blue-hour windows for the 15th of April, in Minneapolis's local time. Use these for soft warm light (golden) or cool architectural twilight (blue).

🌅 Blue hour (AM)
5:28 AM – 6:08 AM
🌄 Golden hour (AM)
6:08 AM – 7:08 AM
🌇 Golden hour (PM)
7:17 PM – 8:17 PM
🌆 Blue hour (PM)
8:17 PM – 8:57 PM
Milky Way galactic core
Fair
Core only briefly above the horizon — a marginal month even from dark sites near Minneapolis.

📅 When to book — Minneapolis in April

Travel writers usually only tell you when to go. Here's when to book flights and lodging for the best mix of price and availability, based on April's tier (Shoulder) and Minneapolis's popularity.

✈ Flights — lead time
6-10 weeks
Sweet spot for value. Major fare-sales (US: Black Friday, EU: post-Easter) hit hardest in shoulder months for shoulder travel.
🏨 Lodging — lead time
4-8 weeks
Lots of selection. Look for shoulder-season packages — many hotels add value (free breakfast, spa credit) to fill rooms.

Crowds & pricing — April in Minneapolis

Shoulder

Minneapolis is in a shoulder season month — fewer crowds, slightly lower prices, and a calmer atmosphere than peak weeks. Most major sights stay open with normal hours, though a handful of seasonal restaurants or boat trips may run reduced schedules. Many regulars consider these months the best time to visit because you trade a small amount of weather reliability for a much more pleasant on-the-ground experience.

Sun & mosquito risk — April in Minneapolis

☀️ UV Index (noon, 15th)
10
Very high
Limit sun exposure between 11 AM and 3 PM; SPF 30-50, reapply every 90 minutes outdoors.
🦟 Mosquito risk
●●○○○
Low
Mosquitoes present but manageable. Pack repellent (DEET 10-20%) for evenings near water.

UV is a clear-sky sea-level estimate — clouds, altitude, and reflective surfaces (snow, water) shift it ±30%. Mosquito risk is climate-derived only; for current disease advisories (dengue, malaria, zika) check the CDC or WHO travel pages before your trip.

Minneapolis in other months

MonthAvg highAvg lowRainfallRain daysSnow days
January -5°C / 24°F -14°C / 7°F 28 mm 13
February -4°C / 25°F -14°C / 6°F 34 mm 11
March 6°C / 42°F -5°C / 23°F 53 mm 13
April 12°C / 54°F 1°C / 35°F 89 mm 19
May 21°C / 69°F 9°C / 49°F 122 mm 17
June 27°C / 80°F 16°C / 61°F 115 mm 16
July 28°C / 83°F 18°C / 64°F 95 mm 16
August 27°C / 80°F 17°C / 62°F 120 mm 16
September 23°C / 73°F 14°C / 56°F 98 mm 15
October 14°C / 56°F 5°C / 41°F 88 mm 13
November 5°C / 41°F -3°C / 27°F 51 mm 13
December -1°C / 29°F -9°C / 15°F 45 mm 11

Other cities with similar April weather

🌍 See the full ranked list of climate twins for Minneapolis in April →

Frequently asked questions

How hot is Minneapolis in April?

In April, Minneapolis averages a high of 12°C (54°F) and a low of 1°C (35°F) — generally cool.

Does it rain a lot in Minneapolis in April?

April is quite rainy in Minneapolis, with about 19 rainy days on average.

Is April a good time to visit Minneapolis?

April is cool but on the rainy side. It suits travelers who are comfortable with cool weather; check the month-by-month ranking to compare it against the rest of the year.

What should I pack for Minneapolis in April?

Pack a warm jacket and layers, plus a compact umbrella or rain jacket. See the full April packing list for Minneapolis for a complete, climate-based checklist.

Open Minneapolis on the interactive map

Check the live 10-day forecast and sunrise/sunset.