Recent rains bode well for spring planting

State officials say two-thirds of Minnesota is now drought-free - a sharp turnaround from only two months ago.

Then, moderate drought to abnormally dry conditions were common across the state.

But state climatologist, Pete Boulay, said the situation has changed.

"The moderate drought is just found from the Twin Cities on to the southeast. November's been quite wet and that's definitely helped replenish the soil moisture across the state, especially across south-central Minnesota and the west," Boulay said.

Boulay said recent rains amount to what he calls "money in the bank" for spring, because the moisture is seeping into the ground before heavy frost sets in. He says that bodes well for spring planting.