When Does Northern Minnesota Normally Get The First Freeze Of The Fall?

As we push our way into the fall season, cooler and crisp temperatures are an inevitability in the Northland.

Even in years where moderate temperatures linger longer, it is just a matter of time before we start waking up to freezing temperatures and a coating of frost on our windshields and in our gardens across Northern Minnesota.

When we see our first freeze of the fall season can vary a lot from year to year.

Historical data from the Duluth office of the National Weather Service shows a window of about two months in communities across the Northland when the first freeze has occurred over the years.

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It is worth noting that the first recorded freeze (when we see temperatures at 32 degrees or colder) is different from the first frost of the season, which can happen at temperatures slightly warmer than that. For the sake of this article, we're looking at the first freeze dates of the season (32 degrees F or colder) over the years.

Here's a look at the earliest, latest, and average first freeze of the fall season in communities across Northern Minnesota:

First Freeze Of The Season Across Northern Minnesota

Hibbing, MN - A city on Minnesota's Iron Range claims the region's earliest average first freeze date among cities the National Weather Service has data for. Hibbing normally sees 32 degrees (or colder) on September 8 for the first time of the season.

It has happened as early as August 13 (in 2004) and as late as October 18 (in 1960).

International Falls, MN - Believe it or not, the northern border town of International Falls tends to see a later first-freeze date than Hibbing. September 15 is when International Falls normally sees its first 32-degree (or colder) day.

The city has seen a freezing temperature as early as August 20 (back in 1907) and as late as October 17 (in 2021).

Brainerd, MN - At the heart of Minnesota's Brainerd Lakes Area is the next-to-last city when it comes to the first freeze of the season.

The normal first 32-degree (or colder) temperature is historically recorded on September 25. Brainerd has seen sub-freezing temperatures as early as August 6 (30 degrees in 1977 and 31 degrees in 1917) and as late as October 17.

Duluth, MN - In the region's largest city, Lake Superior plays a big role in the weather - even more than the other cities we'll get into in this article.

On average, Duluth sees its first 32-degree (or colder) temperature on September 30. That's a handful of days later than the next-latest city in the region. Duluth has seen a 32-degree temperature recorded as early as August 27 (which happened in 1986) and as late as November 6 (which happened in 1900).