Drought, Still Severe, Does Ease a Bit After Recent Rainfall

(KNSI) – Minnesota’s drought conditions improved slightly over the past week but remain widespread across most of the state, according to the latest data from the U.S. Drought Monitor.

Locally, the picture is severe. Benton and Sherburne counties are almost entirely in drought, with 98% of Benton County and 94% of Sherburne County in severe drought or worse. Stearns County’s drought footprint is just as widespread as its neighbors, with the entire county abnormally dry or worse, but far less severe, with only about 2% reaching severe drought.

Forecasters also track drought using the Drought Severity and Coverage Index, or DSCI, a single number on a 0 to 500 scale that combines how much of an area is affected with how severe the drought is. Benton and Sherburne counties’ DSCI scores, 298 and 294, are among the highest in the state. Both were mostly drought-free as recently as June. Stearns’ DSCI of 195 has held steady over the past week, but is a stark shift from June, when the county had no drought coverage at all.

The report, out Thursday, shows that as of September 15th, nearly 93% of Minnesota is abnormally dry, with 71% in moderate drought or worse and about a third of the state in severe drought or worse. That’s down from the week before, when severe drought covered 46% of the state.

Minnesota’s statewide DSCI sits at 200, down from 215 last week, but nearly double the 129 recorded three months ago in June, showing how much conditions have deteriorated since early summer even with the recent rainfall easing conditions some.

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