Central Minnesota remains drought epicenter
No relief in sight as hot, dry pattern takes hold
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A week marked by scattered but highly uneven rainfall across Minnesota did little to significantly alter the state's drought picture. Many of the areas most in need of moisture received only limited precipitation.
Scattered and uneven rainfall
The latest drought conditions report continues to depict a concentrated area of severe drought across central and southwestern Minnesota with drought conditions also extending northward into Koochiching County along the Canadian border.
Moderate drought expanded across southeastern Minnesota during the past week, reaching portions of Dodge, Mower and Goodhue counties.
Statewide, moderate drought coverage increased from 37% to 40% in one week. Meanwhile, a new pocket of moderate drought developed across parts of Faribault and Freeborn counties.
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Rainfall during the June 17-23 period was highly variable across Minnesota. Portions of east-central Minnesota received more than 1 inch of rain with localized totals exceeding 2 inches across parts of Kanabec, southern Pine, Chisago and eastern Isanti counties.
Despite these pockets of heavier precipitation, much of central and northern Minnesota recorded less than 1 inch of rainfall, including several counties within the state's core drought area.
The driest conditions during the week were observed across northeastern Minnesota and portions of southwestern Minnesota, where many locations received less than one-quarter inch of rainfall.
The lack of meaningful precipitation was especially concerning in southwestern Minnesota, where extreme drought persists in parts of Pipestone and Rock counties.
The seven-day precipitation anomaly map tells a similar story. While parts of central and east-central Minnesota received enough rain to stay near or above average for the week, northeastern and southwestern Minnesota largely missed out on the heaviest rainfall.
Many locations in these regions ended the week one-half inch to 1 inch below normal.
Looking ahead, there is little indication of widespread drought relief over the next seven days.
Forecast temperatures are expected to trend above normal across much of Minnesota while precipitation opportunities remain limited. Although isolated thunderstorms may develop at times, no widespread soaking rain is currently anticipated.
