Nearly half of Minnesota trending toward drought status
It's the 16th driest September for the Twin Cities.
It’s been a dry summer and early fall across parts of Minnesota.
September rainfall was well below average across much of the state. Less than an inch of rain fell across most of Minnesota in September. Parts of western Minnesota recorded less than .50” of rain last month.
The Twin Cities picked up just .88” rainfall in September. It was the 16th driest September on record in the Twin Cities.
Overall September precipitation was less than half of average across most of Minnesota.
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Drought setting in
Moderate drought conditions have been in place across northeast Minnesota for a few months now. But 45 percent of Minnesota is now listed as abnormally dry according to Thursday’s U.S. Drought Monitor. That includes the Twin Cities area. Moderate drought is also noted in parts of southwest Minnesota.
Much of Minnesota will pick up light rain Saturday, and another shot of light rain may arrive Monday night. But most of next week looks dry again.
We could see drought areas expand in Minnesota by the time next week’s drought monitor is released.