Minnesota gets needed rainfall; 'mega-rains' rising
Drought-stricken Minnesota saw beneficial rain; U says extreme rainfalls growing
A little of Minnesota’s thirst was quenched over the weekend in some areas that really needed rainfall most. Rainfall amounts were more extreme for some places, however, especially in Iowa and Illinois.
Beneficial rain for Minnesota
Almost all of the moderate and severe drought areas of Minnesota saw at least 1 inch of rainfall. Most of us saw anywhere from 1 to 3 inches of total weekend precipitation. For most of Minnesota it was a beneficial rain, but for some it was a little too much.
Several places recorded more than 4 inches (red dots) among cooperative observers in the map below.
The highest amounts were around the Willmar and Spicer areas in west-central Minnesota. Even in the southwest metro however, Chanhassen recorded 4.67 inches for a weekend total, including a round of rainfall Sunday night.
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Extreme, ‘mega-rainfalls’ are increasing
Northeastern Iowa and northern Illinois saw even more extreme amounts. An area around Lake Mills and Mason City, Iowa, saw a radar estimated 6 to 7 inches of rainfall.
Precipitation was even more extreme and over a larger area in northwestern Illinois. Freeport, Ill., west of Rockford, recorded an eye-popping 11.25 inches of rain!
Such a rainfall is considered a “mega-rainfall” event. It’s defined by 6 or more inches of rain over at least a 1,000 square mile area.
This weekend’s extreme rainfall is the fifth such event in just the four state area of Missouri, Illinois, Indiana and Kentucky over the last two weeks.
Research from the University of Minnesota’s Climate Adaptation Partnership has found that such “mega-rainfalls” have doubled since the year 2000 compared to the 27 year period prior.
While the rainfall in Minnesota likely didn’t qualify as a mega-rain this go-around, it’s only a matter of time before such extremes happen again. Read more on the U study.