Hydro vortex: crop damage across southern Minnesota
Go Deeper.
Create an account or log in to save stories.
Like this?
Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.
The swirling mass of moisture overhead and endless torrential rainfall is starting to take a toll on crops in southern Minnesota.
As many as 30 counties in southern Minnesota and northern Iowa are now likely to see significant crop loss from standing water, hail and wind damage. That word comes from Thomas R. Hoverstad, a Scientist at the University of Minnesota Southern Research and Outreach Center in Waseca.
Here's part of Wednesday release.
COMMENTS: Torrential rain came to southern Minnesota this week when three separate storms each dropped over 2 inches of rain across most of the area. Air temperature averaged 65.3 degrees or 3.4 degrees cooler than normal. Rainfall totaled 6.74 inches which is 5.62 inches above normal. Growing degree units (GDUs) totaled 109 or 15% less than normal. Since May 1, we have now accumulated 593.5 GDUs, this is 6% less than normal.This is the wettest week we have seen since September of 2010 when we received over 8 inches in one week. June rainfall already totals 11.04 inches. This establishes a new June rainfall record, breaking the old record set in 2010 of 9.64 inches. There is still 12 days left in June. With rain in the forecast, we are closing in on setting the record for most precipitation received in any month, which was set in September of 2010 at 12.66 inches.
All this rain will result in crop loss from ponding water, hail damage, and wind damage. The area affected is very large covering roughly 30 counties in southern Minnesota and northern Iowa.
Below you will find the daily maximum and minimum air temperatures, growing degree units, and 24-hour precipitation amounts for this week. These values are recorded at 8 AM and reflect the conditions for the previous 24-hour period (8 AM to 8 AM) at the Southern Research & Outreach Center, Waseca.
Air Temp.
Date Max.
Min.
GDU’s
Precip.
- - - - - - - º F - - - - - -
inches
Thursday 6/12
82
56
19.0
T
Friday 6/13
64
46
7.0
----
Saturday 6/14
77
51
14.0
----
Sunday 6/15
66
57
11.5
2.02
Monday 6/16
75
58
16.5
T
Tuesday 6/17
81
61
21.0
2.56
Wednesday 6/18
78
62
20.0
2.16
Turn Up Your Support
MPR News helps you turn down the noise and build shared understanding. Turn up your support for this public resource and keep trusted journalism accessible to all.
The news of likely crop loss comes as no surprise given the torrential, near record rainfall over much of southern Minnesota this spring. Rainfall totals are running 4 to 8 inches above normal in the past 7 days.
That's an eye opening and filed flooding 300 percent to 600 percent of average.
Wednesday's early morning deluge only added insult to injury in southern Minnesota around New Ulm and Mankato, where several rainfall totals of 3 to 5 inches or more caused mudslides and extensive urban street flooding.
Forecast: More rain and flood potential then a break in sight?
The active warm front stalled just south of Minnesota looks ready to erupt again overnight into Thursday morning. The main body of our latest Hydro Vortex spins through Thursday as coverage on showers and thunderstorms increases once again.
Here's a look at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's two-day precipitation outlook, which suggest another inch or two for most of southern Minnesota.
The soggy system that's plagued Minnesota all week finally shows signs of slogging east on Friday, and taking the bulk of the heavy rain along with it. The Global Forecast System and European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts models are still at odds over precise timing of rainfall -- and dry days over the next week.
But the trends suggest our June Monsoon may finally be easing off and that we may finally be moving beyond consecutive days of heavy flooding rain.
Stay tuned.
Dear reader,
Your voice matters. And we want to hear it.
Will you help shape the future of Minnesota Public Radio by taking our short Listener Survey?
It only takes a few minutes, and your input helps us serve you better—whether it’s news, culture, or the conversations that matter most to Minnesotans.
