Drought takes hold in parts of Minnesota

Dryness continues north and west

Latest U.S. Drought Monitor for Minnesota
Latest U.S. Drought Monitor for Minnesota
USDA/UNL

The dry trend that began this spring continues for much of western and northern Minnesota.

Today’s updated U.S. Drought Monitor now puts 18 percent of Minnesota in the moderate drought category. 55 percent of the state is listed as abnormally dry. The dryness covers much of the western and northern parts of Minnesota. The table below lists the latest drought statistics for Minnesota.

U.S. Drought Monitor for Minnesota
U.S. Drought Monitor for Minnesota
USDA/UNL

Wet south, dry north

It’s still a tale of two precipitation patterns across Minnesota.

Much of southern Minnesota has received more than 5 inches of rain in the past 30 days. But a big chunk of northern Minnesota has logged less than an inch of rain since May 5.

30-day precipitation
30-day precipitation
Midwest Regional Climate Center

Passing weather systems this weekend and early next week could bring meaningful rain to northern Minnesota. The European model suggests 1 to 2 inches in many locations in northern Minnesota by next Wednesday.

European model (ECMWF) precipitation output
European model (ECMWF) precipitation output through next Wednesday
ECMWF via pivotal weather

Cristobal moisture into Wisconsin?

Tropical Storm Cristobal appears headed for the Gulf Coast this weekend. Cristobal’s moisture will funnel northward into the Upper Midwest early next week. It appears the heaviest rainfall will run from Missouri through Wisconsin, where several inches of rain may fall.

European model (ECMWF) rainfall forecast
European model (ECMWF) rainfall forecast through next Wednesday
ECMWF via pivotal weather

Stay tuned.

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