3 to 6 inches of rain the past week will ease drought but won't end it
Major soaking rains will likely improve drought severity by a category or two
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The forecast models were right.
The heavy rainfall signals we saw a week ago panned out across most of central and southern Minnesota in the past week. Much of the area recorded rainfall totals between 3 and 6 inches starting last Tuesday.
A foot of rain in southern Minnesota; 20 inches in Iowa
Minnesota’s heaviest rainfall totals in the past week fell across southern Minnesota near the Iowa border. A foot of rain was recorded along parts of the Iowa border.
Winona Dam in southeastern Minnesota recorded 10.09 inches, according to the La Crosse, Wis., National Weather Office. Caledonia, Minn., recorded 8.92 inches.
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As much as 20 inches of rain fell in Iona, Iowa, just east of Charles City.
Less rain fell across northern Minnesota. The Greenwood Fire zone picked up around an inch or more of rain.
The heavy rainfall across central and southern Minnesota in the past week boosted water levels in many lakes, ponds, and river systems.
Last week’s rains will not end drought in most of Minnesota, but we may see a category or two improvements in many areas when this week’s U.S. Drought Monitor is released on Thursday.
