MPR News Chief Meteorologist Paul Huttner signs off

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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.

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. 

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. 

Weather and Climate News

Updraft® - Minnesota Weather News

Paul Huttner

Author

Heavy rain in the past month has eased drought in parts of Minnesota. 

USDA/UNL

National Drought Mitigation Center

Twin Cities National Weather Service

Streamflow across MInnesota and Wisconsin

Mississippi River streamflow in the Twin Cities

There's good news and bad news in this week's drought report

Go Deeper.

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