Skip to main content

Boreal Community Media

Exceptional drought in Minnesota sees improvement

Sep 23, 2021 10:50AM ● By Editor
Map: U.S. Drought Monitor

By Brandon Weathers of WDIO-TV - September 23, 2021

The parts of the Northland that have been hit the hardest by the ongoing drought have finally seen some improvement.

Thursday's U.S. Drought Monitor reflected improvements of up to one category for much of the region thanks to hefty rain.

Moderate to extreme drought continues for much of the Northland, but well-placed rainfall eliminated the area of exceptional drought in northern Minnesota.

According to the weekly report, the more than 2 inches of rain recorded at International Falls on September 20 was the most rain in a calendar day since July 17, 2019.

"According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Minnesota’s topsoil moisture rated very short to short has dramatically improved in recent weeks, from 84 to 35% between August 15 and September 19," the report said.

Despite the welcomed recent rainfall, the report says the rain arrived too late to benefit drought-affected summer crops in the Upper Midwest.


To see the original post and read related weather reporting, follow this link to the WDIO-TV website.  https://www.wdio.com/weather/drought-monitor-update-september-23/6246636/?cat=10335

Boreal Ship Spotter - larger view here