Blizzard warnings in Northwest Minnesota, winter weather advisories across the state

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Drought conditions have expanded in Minnesota, although the latest drought monitor doesn’t include Tuesday and Wednesday rainfalls. 

Expect excessive heat and severe storms Thursday.

Drought expands for most across Minnesota

The latest drought monitor shows areas of at least moderate drought expanding some to encompass 80 percent of Minnesota, up from 70 percent a week ago. 

Areas of at least severe drought include 30 percent of the state, up from 18 percent a week ago and extreme drought remains at one point five percent of the state. 

The latest drought monitor does not account for the rainfall of the past couple days, however. The maps below show estimated 24-hour rainfalls from Wednesday and Thursday mornings:

It would appear the most likely impacts will be a trimming back of the moderate drought in west-central Minnesota in next week’s monitor.

Thanks to recent storms, we have higher dew points, which makes the heat index particularly concerning Thursday afternoon. An excessive heat warning is in effect through 8 p.m. Thursday with heat advisories elsewhere in southern Minnesota and western Wisconsin.

High temperatures will be back in the 90s across central and southern Minnesota into western Wisconsin with dew points in the 70s. This will make for dangerous heat index values in the 100 to 105 degree range.

The dew points are some of the highest we’ve seen this summer thanks to recent rains. The drought has largely kept us drier than normal.

In southwestern Minnesota, the dew point in Tracy reached 77 degrees Thursday morning. We could see several places with upper 70s dew points into the afternoon, pooling ahead of the cool front.

Severe storms possible; cooler temps follow

Scattered storms will pop up again late in the afternoon and evening Thursday ahead of the cool front.

The storms that do develop could turn severe. There’s a slight risk (level 2 out of 5) of severe weather with damaging wind gusts and large hail possible in some storms.

Cooler air then advances farther south Friday with highs still well into the 80s south but just 70s north. 

Dew points and temperatures will be cooler for all by the weekend. We could be heating back to near 90 for southern Minnesota however by midweek next week.

Weather and Climate News

Updraft® - Minnesota Weather News

Sven Sundgaard

Author

Drought conditions have expanded in Minnesota, although the latest drought monitor doesn’t include Tuesday and Wednesday rainfalls. Expect excessive heat and severe storms Thursday.

Drought expands; excessive heat and severe storms possible Thursday

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