Drought Weakens Across Minnesota, Except in St. Cloud

(KNSI) – There was significant improvement in the drought situation across Minnesota over the past week.

Only 5% is in extreme drought, the third stage of a four-step classification system. That still includes the St. Cloud Metro, however. The area near Rice has been downgraded to severe drought, but a stretch from Sartell to Clearwater and into northern Wright County did not improve. Extreme drought applies to about a quarter of Stearns and around a fifth of Benton and Sherburne Counties.

Significant rain is expected in the area starting later Thursday through Saturday. Readings are taken early each Tuesday, so that should all factor into the update for next week.

The most significant improvements were seen in northern Minnesota. A large section of St. Louis County is now at normal soil moisture. The rest of the arrowhead is only abnormally dry, technically a pre-drought stage.

The region near Lake Itasca has rebounded lately, too. Roughly 42% of Cass County was in extreme drought last week. It has been downgraded to severe drought. That bodes well for the voluntary water-use cutbacks that have been in place along the Mississippi River since August.

___