Solway has cold, snowy winters and pleasant summers
A typical July afternoon reaches 78°, a January night drops to 0°, and about 90 inches of snow falls in a normal winter.
A year in Solway at a glance
Each month’s typical high and low, and what it brings.
What stands out about Solway’s climate
Read from where Solway sits among Minnesota’s towns. The page puts what stands out first.
90 inches of snow, 31 of rain and melt
June is the wettest month and February the driest. Rain or snow falls on about 133 days a year.
Rain + melted snow by month
Inches of water
Snowfall by month
Inches of snow
What a year in Solway feels like
Typical highs and lows by season and by month, from NOAA’s 30-year normals.
Warmer than it used to be
The last 30 years in Solway averaged 2.0° warmer than the 1900s. The biggest change is in January (+3.8°).
A bigger shift than in 93% of U.S. towns.
Change by month
About 140 frost-free days a year
In half of years the last 32° night comes by May 13 and the first by October 1.
Freezing nights by month
Average nights at or below 32°
90° days by month
Average days at 90° or more
Living with Solway’s climate
What the numbers mean for a garden, a driveway, a furnace and a free afternoon.
140 frost-free days. The last frost comes by May 13 in half of years, so many gardeners wait a week or two past that to set out tomatoes. The first fall frost comes by Oct 1.
About 90" a winter over 25 days with an inch or more, most in December. Snow covers the ground about 137 days a year.
Months averaging under 55° run from October through May. Heating is 97% of the year’s heating-and-cooling load.
About 2 days a year reach 90°, and July afternoons average 78°.
The nicest months are June, July, August and September.
Parks & trails →Normals are averages. Ice storms, nor’easters, floods and heat waves are on the natural hazards page.
Natural hazards →Solway and its neighbors
Grand Lake has the coldest January nights next door (-2°) and Brevator the hottest July afternoons (78°). 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.
How Solway compares
Against every U.S. town on TownTapestry, each counted once, with its place in Minnesota.
Solway 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 | 19° | 0° | 0.9" | 16.8" | 10 | 31 | -4° – 23° |
| February | 25° | 3° | 0.9" | 15.1" | 9 | 28 | 4° – 28° |
| March | 37° | 15° | 1.4" | 12.8" | 10 | 27 | 17° – 39° |
| April | 50° | 28° | 2.4" | 9.1" | 11 | 10 | 31° – 45° |
| May | 63° | 38° | 3.3" | 0.8" | 13 | 0 | 46° – 56° |
| June | 72° | 48° | 4.5" | 0 | 12 | 0 | 56° – 64° |
| July | 78° | 54° | 4.2" | 0 | 12 | 0 | 59° – 72° |
| August | 75° | 53° | 3.7" | 0 | 11 | 0 | 58° – 67° |
| September | 67° | 45° | 3.3" | 0.1" | 12 | 0 | 49° – 60° |
| October | 52° | 33° | 3.0" | 2.7" | 12 | 2 | 36° – 47° |
| November | 36° | 21° | 1.7" | 14.1" | 11 | 13 | 19° – 39° |
| December | 23° | 8° | 1.3" | 18.7" | 11 | 27 | 4° – 25° |
| Year | 50° | 29° | 30.5" | 90.2" | 133 | 137 |
Heating and cooling a home in Solway
97% 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 -4° to 23°. June is the most reliable, staying within 7°.
Common questions about Solway’s climate
What is the coldest month in Solway?
January, with a typical high of 19° and a low of 0°.
What is the hottest month in Solway?
July, with a typical high of 78° and a low of 54°. About 2 days a year reach 90°.
How much snow does Solway get?
About 90 inches in a normal winter, most of it in December.
When is the first frost in Solway?
In half of years the first 32° night comes by October 1, and the last spring frost by May 13.
What is the rainiest month in Solway?
June, with 4.5 inches of rain and melted snow. The year totals 31 inches.
Neighbors talk weather
Gardens, snow, and the best days of the year in Solway.
Your answer becomes a post in Town Square.
Temperatures and rainfall come from NOAA’s gridded climate normals for Solway itself (about a 3-mile square). Snow, frost dates and day counts come from NOAA’s weather station at Duluth, MN (8 mi) away. 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.