MANKATO, Minn. (KEYC) – Recent rainfall has led to some noticeable drought improvement across parts of Minnesota and northwestern Iowa, according to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor released Thursday.
In southwestern Minnesota, severe drought has decreased considerably from last week. The area of extreme drought that included Pipestone County is now gone, although moderate to severe drought remains across portions of northwestern Minnesota.
Most of central and south-central Minnesota remain unchanged and are in pretty good shape. Much of the area is either free of drought or considered abnormally dry, which is the lowest level on the Drought Monitor.
Conditions have also improved across northwestern Iowa. Much of the region is now considered abnormally dry, with moderate drought lingering in some areas closer to the Missouri River. Central and eastern Iowa remain largely free of drought.
Despite the improvement, significant drought continues in other parts of Minnesota. Severe to extreme drought remains across northwestern Minnesota and from the Twin Cities southeast along the Mississippi River toward Wabasha and Winona. Severe drought also continues across portions of northeastern Minnesota.
The U.S. Drought Monitor is released every Thursday and is based on dozens of indicators, including rainfall, soil moisture, temperatures, stream and lake levels and reports from local experts.
The Drought Monitor is designed to show conditions across a broader region, so the map may not always match exactly what people are experiencing in their own fields, lawns or neighborhoods.
The graphics compare this week’s Drought Monitor with last week’s map, showing where conditions have improved.
This week’s drought monitor shows significant improvement in drought conditions across southwestern Minnesota and northwestern Iowa.(KEYC Weather)
KEYC Weather(KEYC Weather)
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