Fall drought continues to expand

Drought conditions are worsening across Minnesota, particularly in the state’s north-central and southwestern regions, according to this week’s U.S. Drought Monitor report.

Drought conditions expand for second straight week

Currently, nearly 19% of the state is classified as being in moderate drought, a significant increase from 12% last week and just 3% two weeks ago.

In the week-to-week comparison, the drought area in north-central Minnesota has expanded to include southern St. Louis County and most of Pine County. Moderate drought has also reappeared in Rock County in Minnesota’s far southwest.

Some areas did receive rainfall during the seven-day period covered by the report, which ended at 7 a.m. Tuesday.

But it wasn’t enough to offset the rainfall deficit, which in some places has reached more than 4 to 5 inches in the past 90 days.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s latest eight to 14-day outlook shows a continued trend toward below-average precipitation across much of the Upper Midwest through the end of October.

Let’s hope we see enough rain to catch up before the hard freeze sets in this winter.