(KNSI) – The latest U.S. Drought Monitor report shows a growing pocket of severe drought in the central part of the state.
Sherburne County joins Benton County as being entirely in the D-2 classification. The amount of severe drought in Stearns County has jumped from 26.7% last week to 41.5% now. It is concentrated in the east and central portion of the county, starting near Clearwater and bowing towards Albany. Richmond to Paynesville, as well as Elrosa, Freeport, Melrose, and Sauk Centre are all in moderate drought.
The National Weather Service says St. Cloud needs 14 inches of rain from July through September to eliminate the drought. The first half of the month has been dry. Outside of Thursday night, there is little chance of rain over the next week.
Statewide, all of Minnesota is now at least abnormally dry. Over 11% is in severe drought and 52.4% is in moderate drought.
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