(KNSI) – The new U.S. Drought Monitor update shows the state continues to dry out rapidly.
Nearly a fifth of Minnesota (19.7%) is in severe drought, the second stage of four on the scale. It is concentrated in the arrowhead region with a separate and much smaller patch in Murray and Pipestone Counties in the southwest. All of that has appeared within the last week.
Moderate drought has also risen from about 43% to 49%. It forms a pattern somewhat resembling the letter ‘g.’ It begins near the headwaters of the Mississippi River and swirls to the western border, turning along the Minnesota River valley and ending with a button hook in the Twin Cities area.
The moderate drought category includes a small sliver of southeast Sherburne County. The entirety of the St. Cloud area has managed to stay abnormally dry, though, including all of Benton and Stearns Counties.
Three months ago, 100% of Minnesota was drought-free.
___
Copyright 2024 Leighton Media. All rights reserved. This material may not be broadcast, published, redistributed, or rewritten, in any way without consent.
FOLLOW US FOR INSTANT UPDATES!
FOLLOW US FOR INSTANT UPDATES!