The larger of Minnesota's Twin Cities sits at the Mississippi River's northernmost navigable point, where continental climate brings temperature extremes few American cities match. January averages hover near 15°F, with weeks of subzero weather common, while July reaches the mid-80s with occasional 90-degree heat. The metropolitan area exceeds 3 million residents, creating a substantial urban center despite harsh winters. Numerous lakes dot the city and suburbs, remnants of retreating glaciers. Snow blankets the ground from November through March, averaging 54 inches annually. Spring arrives late, often not until May.
