Severe drought now in central Minnesota; conditions worsen statewide
Next week looks hot and dry again
The latest drought monitor shows drought continuing to expand in the state. Some rain is possible late Friday into the weekend but for most it will not be a significant event.
Drought continues to expand in Minnesota
The latest U.S. Drought Monitor report shows more bad news for Minnesota as drought expands from 12 percent of the state last week to now 19 percent. Portions of central Minnesota including St. Cloud to Milaca to Mora are now in severe drought.
The National Weather Service in the Twin Cities noted that the past 31 days, from May 15 through June 14, was the driest for that period since records began back to 1871.
The normal precipitation map for the past 30 days shows a bleak picture. Parts of central Minnesota, the northern half of the Twin Cities metro area and along the North Shore have seen less than one-tenth of normal rainfall.
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Rain possible late Friday into the weekend but dry overall
We do have a chance of rain heading into late Friday and the weekend but for most of central and eastern Minnesota the showers and thunder will be spotty. The timing of this next disturbance continues to slow also with the best chance of rain in eastern Minnesota, including the Twin Cities now comes Saturday night into Sunday.
The best chance of more significant rainfall will be the western portions of the state.
While temperatures will be slightly cooler Thursday, we will see warmer readings over the weekend.
Next week looks hot and dry again with many places near 90 in southern and western Minnesota again.
