Fairfax has cold, snowy winters and pleasant summers, with very little rain
A typical July afternoon reaches 81°, a January night drops to -2°, and about 50 inches of snow falls in a normal winter.
A year in Fairfax at a glance
Each month’s typical high and low, and what it brings.
What stands out about Fairfax’s climate
Read from where Fairfax sits among Minnesota’s towns. The page puts what stands out first.
50 inches of snow, 23 of rain and melt
June is the wettest month and February the driest. Rain or snow falls on about 105 days a year.
Rain + melted snow by month
Inches of water
Snowfall by month
Inches of snow
About 138 frost-free days a year
In half of years the last 32° night comes by May 11 and the first by September 27.
Freezing nights by month
Average nights at or below 32°
90° days by month
Average days at 90° or more
What a year in Fairfax feels like
Typical highs and lows by season and by month, from NOAA’s 30-year normals.
Living with Fairfax’s climate
What the numbers mean for a garden, a driveway, a furnace and a free afternoon.
138 frost-free days. The last frost comes by May 11 in half of years, so many gardeners wait a week or two past that to set out tomatoes. The first fall frost comes by Sep 27.
About 50" a winter over 17 days with an inch or more, most in December. Snow covers the ground about 123 days a year.
Months averaging under 55° run from October through April. Heating is 96% of the year’s heating-and-cooling load.
About 7 days a year reach 90°, and July afternoons average 81°.
The nicest months are May, June, July, August and September. 8.6 miles of trails are waiting.
Parks & trails →Normals are averages. Ice storms, nor’easters, floods and heat waves are on the natural hazards page.
Natural hazards →Fairfax and its neighbors
Kertsonville has the coldest January nights next door (-2°) and Andover the hottest July afternoons (81°). Tap a town to see its climate.
Temperatures and rain come from NOAA’s 5 km grid, so each town gets its own value. Snow and frost-free days come from the nearest weather station, so neighbors often share them.
Warmer than it used to be
The last 30 years in Fairfax averaged 1.4° warmer than the 1900s. The biggest change is in January (+4.2°).
A bigger shift than in 61% of U.S. towns.
Change by month
How Fairfax compares
Against every U.S. town on TownTapestry, each counted once, with its place in Minnesota.
Fairfax weather by month
Average highs, lows, rain and snow for every month, from NOAA’s 1991–2020 normals.
| Month | High | Low | Rain + melt | Snow | Wet days | Snow on ground | 30-yr range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 16° | -2° | 0.6" | 10.1" | 8 | 31 | -6° – 23° |
| February | 21° | 2° | 0.5" | 8.6" | 6 | 27 | 0° – 27° |
| March | 35° | 17° | 0.9" | 7.8" | 7 | 21 | 16° – 40° |
| April | 53° | 31° | 1.3" | 3.8" | 8 | 5 | 32° – 50° |
| May | 67° | 43° | 2.7" | 0.1" | 11 | 0 | 49° – 62° |
| June | 77° | 54° | 4.2" | 0 | 13 | 0 | 61° – 71° |
| July | 81° | 58° | 3.6" | 0 | 11 | 0 | 62° – 75° |
| August | 80° | 55° | 2.8" | 0 | 9 | 0 | 61° – 71° |
| September | 71° | 47° | 2.7" | 0 | 10 | 0 | 53° – 64° |
| October | 54° | 34° | 2.1" | 1.5" | 9 | 1 | 36° – 50° |
| November | 36° | 20° | 0.8" | 5.6" | 7 | 12 | 16° – 41° |
| December | 22° | 6° | 0.8" | 12.4" | 8 | 27 | 1° – 24° |
| Year | 51° | 30° | 23.0" | 49.9" | 105 | 123 |
Heating and cooling a home in Fairfax
96% of the work is heating, so the furnace matters far more than the air conditioner.
Degree days add up how far each day’s average falls below (heating) or rises above (cooling) 65° over a year. Source: NOAA station normals.
How much a month can swing
A normal is an average. January swings the most: from 1991 to 2020 its average ranged from -6° to 23°. June is the most reliable, staying within 10°.
Common questions about Fairfax’s climate
What is the coldest month in Fairfax?
January, with a typical high of 16° and a low of -2°.
What is the hottest month in Fairfax?
July, with a typical high of 81° and a low of 58°. About 7 days a year reach 90°.
How much snow does Fairfax get?
About 50 inches in a normal winter, most of it in December.
When is the first frost in Fairfax?
In half of years the first 32° night comes by September 27, and the last spring frost by May 11.
What is the rainiest month in Fairfax?
June, with 4.2 inches of rain and melted snow. The year totals 23 inches.
Neighbors talk weather
Gardens, snow, and the best days of the year in Fairfax.
Your answer becomes a post in Town Square.
Temperatures and rainfall come from NOAA’s gridded climate normals for Fairfax itself (about a 3-mile square). Snow, frost dates and day counts come from NOAA’s weather station at Red Lake Falls, MN (17 mi, snow) and Crookston Nw Exp Stn, MN (8 mi, frost, heat and degree days). Normals are 30-year averages, not a forecast. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020 and 1901–2000. Today’s forecast: National Weather Service.