Live updates and results from primary election night

MPR News helps you turn down the noise and build shared understanding. Turn up your support for this public resource and keep trusted journalism accessible to all. 

Turn Up Your Support

Minnesota's drought continued to intensify this week. Nearly half the state is now experiencing severe drought as conditions worsen.

Minnesota’s drought is showing very few signs of letting up. Periods of intense heat this summer combined with a lack of widespread soaking rainfall have steadily depleted soil moisture and stressed vegetation across the state.

The U.S. Drought Monitor report released this week continues to show a broad swath of drought across Minnesota, with the most concerning conditions concentrated across central and northern portions of the state.

The percentage of Minnesota experiencing at least moderate drought jumped from just under 70 percent last week to 75 percent this week. On the map, you can see the expansion of moderate drought in southwestern portions of the state as well as across much of northern Minnesota.

Areas under severe drought widened significantly. Last week's map had 34 percent of Minnesota in severe drought or worse. This week, that number surged to more than 44 percent.

That means nearly 45 percent of the state is now experiencing severe drought or worse — a sharp escalation from just one week ago.

For Minnesota's drought to substantially improve, the state needs more than isolated thunderstorms. A meaningful recovery would require repeated, widespread rainfall events capable of replenishing topsoil moisture and gradually restoring deeper groundwater reserves.

Weather and Climate News

Updraft® - Minnesota Weather News

Mandy Thalhuber

Author

Nearly half of Minnesota is now experiencing severe drought as persistent heat and a lack of soaking rain continue to worsen conditions across the state.

Dryness tightens its grip across the state

Go Deeper.

Like this?

News you can use in your inbox