Image:  National Weather Service

From the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and the National Weather Service - August 18, 2023

The weekly U.S. Drought Monitor map released Thursday, August 17 shows that nearly all of Minnesota continues experiencing abnormally dry and/or moderate drought conditions. Extreme drought is no longer occurring in central Minnesota and the areas of severe drought have also receded. The Mississippi Headwaters watershed has also experienced a reduction in severe drought. However, because the watershed is still vulnerable to the effects of severe drought, it will remain in the Drought Warning Phase until further notice.    

• 26% percent of Minnesota is experiencing abnormally dry conditions.
• 50% percent of the state is in moderate drought, increased from 46% last week.
• 22% percent of Minnesota is in severe drought, decreased from 31% last week.
• 1% of the state is in extreme drought, decreased from 3% last week.
• 1% of the state has no drought monitor designation.

 MN DNR

According to the National Weather Service, recent rains while beneficial, have hardly put a dent into the ongoing drought across NW Wisconsin and NE Minnesota. With little rain expected over the next week, drought conditions will persist and may even worsen in the foreseeable future.

If you are observing drought impacts, submit a report at https://droughtimpacts.unl.edu/Tools/ConditionMonitoringObservations.aspx.