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While winter started wet thanks to December rainfall, the second half of winter became quite dry. The lack of snow cover has also allowed soils to become dry.

A majority of Minnesota is now back in drought since the end of February; 53 percent of the state is classified in at least moderate drought. 

The proportion of the state classified in drought hasn’t been this high since late October after a wet late September and October finally brought many of us out of it. 

Our prolonged period of on-and-off drought since 2021 is the worst drought period in a decade, since 2012 to 2014. 

While December started winter with above normal precipitation for many, January and February were drier than normal. Over the past 60 days, many areas have seen just about one-third of normal precipitation (see the red areas on the map below). 

The spring outlook (March, April, May) calls for equal chances of above or below-normal precipitation. Given our track record, one would find it difficult to believe we’ll see a sudden burst of spring rainfall.  

The seasonal drought outlook calls for drought to persist or even develop for most of Minnesota. 

 for the summer may spell more bad news for precipitation patterns for the state. 

Weather and Climate News

Updraft® - Minnesota Weather News

Sven Sundgaard

Author

While winter started wet thanks to December rainfall, the second half of winter became quite dry. The lack of snow cover has also allowed soils to become dry. 

Minnesota sees the largest expansion of drought since October

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