Storms start to move out of Minnesota, continue for western Wisconsin

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Minnesota’s drought continued to deepen over the past week. Severe drought now covers 20 percent of the state for the first time since spring. 

The drought continues to rapidly expand across Minnesota. After the incredibly wet late spring and summer, the rain stopped around Labor Day and we continue to become extremely dry. 

It’s simply startling how quickly we slipped back into drought over the past few weeks. 

Areas of moderate drought covered 43 percent of Minnesota a week ago. The portion of the state now in at least moderate drought covers 69 percent of Minnesota. That’s up from just 16 percent two weeks ago. 

Severe drought now covers 20 percent of the state with primarily northeastern Minnesota and a swath of southwestern Minnesota affected. Sixty-day rainfall deficits are as much as 5 inches for parts of southwestern and northeastern Minnesota. 

New this week, most of the Twin Cities metro is back in moderate drought after avoiding it in the last two drought monitor reports. 

There still is no significant rainfall in sight, which is troubling as the second half of fall is typically not particularly wet. A vigorous clipper type system will bring some rain to northern Minnesota over the weekend but most places will see under one-half inch.

The overall extended forecast calls for more abnormally dry weather unfortunately overall. 

Sven Sundgaard

Author

Minnesota’s drought continued to deepen over the past week. Severe drought now covers 20 percent of the state for the first time since spring. 


Enjoy what’s likely to be the last 80-degree day of the 2024 season. Two cold fronts will drop temperatures by Sunday to the coldest readings since April. Light rain is also possible.

Severe drought returns to Minnesota for the first time since spring

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