(KNSI) — Drought conditions have spread across central Minnesota in a matter of months.
The latest U.S. Drought Monitor map, released Thursday, October 8th, says every part of Benton, Sherburne, and Stearns counties is now in at least moderate drought, even with some scattered rainfall since the last map. The data is valid as of October 6th.
Benton County has the worst conditions, with about 98% of the county in severe drought. Roughly 94% of Sherburne County is in severe drought. In Stearns County, nearly all of the land is in moderate drought, and about 2% is in severe drought.
The change has come quickly. In early July, none of the three counties showed any dryness. A year ago, none was in drought, and Sherburne and Stearns counties were mostly free of even abnormally dry conditions. Benton County was already the driest of the three at the start of the year, with about 70% of the county abnormally dry.
The Drought Monitor says conditions are little changed from last week. It notes the map reflects broad-scale conditions and that local conditions may vary.
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