WINONA, Minn. – The extreme drought in southeast Minnesota has spread outward from Olmsted County in the past week, according to the federal drought monitor. Except for a tip of Saratoga Township south St. Charles, Winona County has been spared from the “extreme drought.” category, although the county is rated in “severe draught. Things could be worse — the dreaded “exceptional drought” category, five on the monitor’s five-point scale, remains a possibility. The storm system that dropped one-half to 2-1/2 inches of rain last week was not enough to improve conditions. A good chance of thunderstorms this coming weekend, capable heavy rain Saturday night, perhaps one to two inches, has been forecast. Enough? Unsure. Most the region has experienced the eighth driest June and July on record. The rainfall deficit is six inches below normal.
Drought monitor. As of August 3.
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