Drought Conditions Worsen in Sherburne, Wright Counties

(KNSI) – The latest report from the U.S. Drought Monitor shows that Minnesota’s drought has intensified in some areas, particularly in Wright and Sherburne counties.

The August 5th report places 99.27 percent of Minnesota under abnormally dry or drought conditions — the only area of the state not experiencing drought is a swath of eastern Winona County and the northeastern tip of Houston County.

A greater portion of the state is now experiencing extreme drought, increasing to 35.08 percent from 22.06 percent last week. Those extreme drought areas include southern Stearns County and most of Meeker, Wright and Sherburne counties. Large portions of Sherburne and Wright dipped into the extreme drought category over the past week.

The National Weather Service Twin Cities says rainfall since June 1st is 4 to 8 inches below normal throughout most of Minnesota.

Drought conditions continue to intensify across much of Minnesota with the latest drought monitor update. 35% of MN is now experiencing extreme drought. Rainfall since June 1st has been 4 to 8 inches below normal across much of the state. https://t.co/2b5FbImeIs #mnwx #wiwx pic.twitter.com/XOPobojZyB

— NWS Twin Cities (@NWSTwinCities) August 5, 2021

The U.S. Drought Monitor says areas that experience extreme drought historically face these impacts: early corn harvests, authorization of emergency haying and grazing, widespread wildfires and near-record low surface water levels.