ROCHESTER, Minn. – Nearly half of Minnesota is ranked by the National Weather Service in a moderate drought. That includes nearly the entire southern third of the state. Some areas in southern Minnesota have fallen into the severe drought category. There has been little or no rainfall all month. Conditions worsened in recent days with afternoon highs in the 90s. There had been hope for showers late Wednesday into Thursday. Even so, the relief would be scattered and slight at best. Meteorologists are seeing continued hot dry conditions through June 24, perhaps longer. Wildfire risks will intensify. Municipal and farm water supplies may diminish.
Drought spread. Deep orange in extreme southwest and northwest counties is the most severe. Orange less so but serious. Yellow is merely abnormally dry. Image: National Weather Service