There's good news and bad news in this week's drought report
Drought eases in southwest MInnesota. But extreme to exceptional drought remains across northern Minnesota.
It’s been another week of positive news for parts of Minnesota in this week’s U.S. Drought Monitor report.
Thursday’s update shows a 1-class drought category improvement in southwest Minnesota compared to last week. Parts of southwest Minnesota and southeast Minnesota are now drought-free.
But most of central and northern Minnesota remain in severe to extreme drought. There is also a wedge of exceptional drought that persists from near International Falls through Red Lake to the northeast of Fargo.
Twin Cities rides the droughty edge
The Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport has received 7.84 inches of rainfall since August 4. That’s enough rainfall to generate a 1 to 2-class improvement in drought conditions in the past four weeks. Unfortunately, northeast Minnesota has slid deeper into drought.
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Much of the far eastern Twin Cities is now categorized as abnormally dry. Most of the Twin Cities area is still listed in the moderate drought category, with northwest areas still in severe drought.
Highly varied streamflow across Minnesota
Our wet month has boosted streamflow in southern Minnesota and parts of Wisconsin. But northern Minnesota streams and rivers are still running very low. Check out the wide differences from north to south across Minnesota.
The Mississippi River in the Twin Cities has recovered slightly from recent rains. Check out the three-year trend below.
Most of northern and central Minnesota still needs rainfall to run several inches above average to ease drought conditions this fall.