Agricultural and Horticultural Decision Support Tools for Minnesota

2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map for Minnesota
Courtesy: US Department of Agriculture and PRISM Climate Group, Oregon State University

Climate and Agriculture Fact Sheets, Videos etc.

• Iowa State University
• USDA Midwest Climate Hub

Climate and Agriculture Dashboards and Portals

• Agricultural Climate Data Decision Dashboard (U2U project)

• Growing Degree Day Decision Support Tool

• Climate Patterns Viewer

Temperature, Freeze/Frost Dates, Growing Degree Days

• Normal May through September Growing Degree Days (1981-2010)
• Last Spring/First Fall Freeze/Frost Dates and Plant Hardiness Zone Map
• Last Spring/First Fall Freeze/Frost Date Probabilities
• Spring Frost-Free Date Map (older map, 1971-2000)
• Last Freeze of Spring (Midwest Regional Climate Center)
• First Freeze of Fall (Midwest Regional Climate Center)
• Lowest Minimum Temperature Since August 1

Soil Temperature

• Real-time Six-Inch Soil Temperatures (MN Dept. of Ag.)
• Daily Soil Temperatures for Northwestern and West Central Minnesota (Courtesy of NDAWN)
• Average Date of Initial Soil Freeze (old, 1971-1988)

Weather and Climate Data from University of Minnesota Research and Outreach Centers

• Regularly Updated Weather Data - St. Paul
• Regularly Updated Weather Data - Lamberton
• Regularly Updated Data - Waseca
• Historical Weather Data - Crookston
• Regularly Updated Weather Data - Morris

Gardeners

• Climate Resources for Master Gardeners (CoCoRaHS and NOAA Office of Education)

Snow Management and Drifting Snow Control

• Living Snow Fences Project - Minnesota Department of Transportation

• Localized Agricultural Weather Forecasts