Drought Deepens Across Minnesota

(KNSI) – Our warm weather, windy conditions and lack of rainfall has pushed 97% of the state into at least abnormally dry conditions.

The readings on the U.S. Drought Monitor this week are a slight tick above what they were last week, but more of Minnesota is experiencing a deeper drought. Last week, 68.62% of the state was in a moderate drought. This week, that's up to 71.71%. Twenty-eight-point-two percent of Minnesota is experiencing severe drought, versus 19.7% last week. Benton, all but 18% of Sherburne, and Stearns Counties are all experiencing abnormally dry conditions. That 18% is now in a moderate drought. No areas are in an extreme to exceptional drought, and it appears there may be some help on the way.

The Climate Prediction Center shows potential above average chances for some rain. So far this month, St. Cloud has had .04′′ of precipitation. This is after we saw the third driest and warmest ever September on record.

Meteorologists say to blame the conditions in the upper atmosphere. Storms are consistently being pulled north of us and then crashing down into upstate New York and New England, hence the skimpy totals for the last seven weeks.

Current predictions are for a weak La Niña winter, which traditionally brings with it at least average precipitation. As we make the transition, the back half of fall could have some active storms.