Vitamin D in Minneapolis

Minneapolis has a strong seasonal solar cycle and is a useful reference point for the Upper Midwest. Location affects possible vitamin D production from sunlight; it does not change the age-based dietary reference intake or determine whether a particular person needs a supplement.

See Minneapolis's sunlight estimate in the calculator

What the monthly model shows

The chart uses latitude 44.9778°, longitude -93.2650°, and elevation 253 m. It is model version 2026.09 with reference year 2026. It is not a weather forecast or measured local UV record.

Modeled daily IU from 30 minutes between 10:00 and 14:00 local solar time, skin type II, long sleeves and pants (15% exposed), 40% cloud cover, grass surface, and SPF 0. Customize every input.
Monthly modeled vitamin D production and gap to adult RDA in Minneapolis
MonthModeled sunlightGap to RDA*
January13 IU/day387 IU/day
February88 IU/day312 IU/day
March365 IU/day35 IU/day
April1,026 IU/day0 IU/day
May1,831 IU/day0 IU/day
June2,625 IU/day0 IU/day
July2,840 IU/day0 IU/day
August2,251 IU/day0 IU/day
September1,219 IU/day0 IU/day
October337 IU/day63 IU/day
November43 IU/day357 IU/day
December8 IU/day392 IU/day

*Mathematical gap after modeled sunlight and an assumed 200 IU/day from food. This is not a supplement recommendation.

How much vitamin D do adults need?

US dietary reference amounts are 600 IU (15 µg) daily from all sources for adults through age 70 and 800 IU (20 µg) after age 70. Individual treatment needs cannot be inferred from latitude.

Read the current NIH Office of Dietary Supplements guidance

Vitamin D and seasonal depression

Seasonal affective disorder is a form of depression related to seasonal changes in daylight. Low vitamin D can coexist with it, but research on vitamin D as a SAD treatment is mixed. Established options include clinician-guided light therapy, psychotherapy, and medication. Read the evidence guide to vitamin D and SAD.

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