We need the rain: 28% of Minnesota is abnormally dry
The weekend timing could be better, but this has been a dry spring.
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The numbers show it has been a dry spring across most of Minnesota.
That helped keep spring flooding at a minimum. It also helped many farmers get in the fields for spring planting season.
But with rainfall deficits over 2 inches in some areas since April 1, we needed rain soon. That’s why the rainfall in southern Minnesota will be welcome to many this weekend.
About 28 percent of Minnesota is now listed in the abnormally dry category on this week’s latest U.S. Drought Monitor.
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Precipitation deficits
Check out the precipitation departure map for the past 30 days across the Upper Midwest. Southeast Minnesota has recorded just 10 to 25 percent of average precipitation in the last month. Most of Minnesota has logged less than 50 percent.
Precipitation is running 2 to 3 inches below average in much of Minnesota since April 1. Here’s a look at some selected locations precipitation vs. average since April 1.
MSP Airport — 2.16”
Redwood Falls — 3”
Duluth — 2.02”
Rochester — 2.99”
Southern soaking
Northern Minnesota stays dry this weekend. Forecast models range between a half inch and 2 to 3 inches of rainfall across southern Minnesota.
Here’s NOAA’s NAM 3 km resolution model.
NOAA’s GFS model suggests heavier rainfall totals this weekend and is on the higher end of forecast model guidance.
I’m a little concerned about increasing fire danger in northern Minnesota as dryness may continue for at least the next week.
Stay tuned.
