(KNSI) — Record rainfall over central Minnesota is bringing a sharp turnaround in drought conditions.
The latest U.S. Drought Monitor, released Thursday, shows Benton County out of severe drought now, after a rating of more than 98% last week. About 97% of the county remains in moderate drought. Sherburne County has about 94% in moderate drought, down from about 94% in severe drought a week ago.
Stearns County has the biggest improvement among the local counties. Less than 2% of the county is in moderate drought, and the rest is abnormally dry, compared with the entire county in moderate drought last week.
About 26% of the state is now free of any dry or drought designation, up from 20% last week. About 28% is in moderate drought or worse, down from nearly 63% a week earlier. Severe drought or worse now covers under 3% of the state, compared with 27% last week. Extreme drought, which covered about 2.5% of the state a week ago, no longer shows up anywhere.
The National Weather Service says over 2.5″ of rain has fallen on the St. Cloud area since Monday.
___
Copyright © 2026 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!