Most Of Central Minnesota Now In Moderate Drought

(KNSI) – After more than three weeks without measurable rainfall, most of central Minnesota has dried out.

According to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor figures, all of Benton and Sherburne counties and the eastern half of Stearns County are now considered in moderate drought.

Conditions have worsened not only in the St. Cloud area but across the Land of 10,000 Lakes as well. As of Tuesday morning, 76% of the state was in some form of drought, up from 48% the week before. Readings are taken each Tuesday and released on Thursday. So far, no place in the state is reporting extreme or exceptional drought.

The driest conditions remain in northeastern Minnesota, where wildfires continue to plague first responders and communities.

There could be some relief on the horizon. The National Weather Service office in Chanhassen is tracking rain expected in western and central Minnesota Thursday night into Friday. Some places around Granite Falls, Morris, Austin and Mankato could see up to four inches, while St. Cloud is looking at closer to an inch.

Meanwhile, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has placed the Mississippi Headwaters watershed under its Drought Warning Response Phase, citing what state climatologists call a “storage drought,” a critical depletion of lake levels, soil moisture and groundwater.

St. Cloud falls within the affected watershed. The city says it is working with the DNR for guidance throughout the drought.

While the Mississippi River remains a reliable source of drinking water for the city, officials say water conservation is a key part of drought response. The city is encouraging residents to cut back on water use both indoors and outdoors.

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