Rains Welcome Sight As Drought Begins To Bust

(KNSI) – Rain earlier this week has erased even abnormally dry conditions in Sherburne County and most of Benton, as well.

St. Cloud is part of the area where soil moisture is back to normal. It is much needed as we are near the beginning of the planting season for farmers. In recent weeks, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has warned that lake levels are low. A main driver is drought conditions, leading to rainfall soaking into the ground rather than running off. Going forward, that should change.

Another widespread system is expected to hit early next week, delivering multiple rounds of heavy rain. That could alleviate the abnormally dry and moderate drought conditions remaining in northwest Benton County and roughly the northern half of Stearns County. After the rain ends, we’ll be cloudy and cooler than average the rest of the week, which should keep us from drying out anytime soon.

The most persistent drought remains in an arc stretching from Cass County through the Red Lake reservation and over to the border between Minnesota, North Dakota, and Manitoba, Canada. The severe drought totals about 10% of the state. The southeastern corner near the Iowa state line is also struggling.

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