Minnesota Drought Situation Report - November 8, 2007

Drought Monitor - November 6, 2007
Drought Monitor Map
Drought Monitor Legend

Drought Status:
Substantial September and October rains flushed away drought concerns in most Minnesota counties. Only three months ago, one half of Minnesota was considered to be experiencing "Severe" or "Extreme" drought (12-week U.S. Drought Monitor animation). The latest U. S. Drought Monitor (see map at right) places a relatively small area of west central and central Minnesota in the "Moderate Drought" category. The area is approximately centered on Wadena. Portions of northwestern and north central Minnesota remain designated as "Abnormally Dry", an acknowledgement of some lingering precipitation deficits. All other Minnesota locales are deemed to be free of drought conditions.

The U. S. Drought Monitor index is a blend of science and subjectivity where intensity categories are based on several indicators.

Rainfall since late August:
Dryness was entrenched across northern and central Minnesota for much of the summer. However, September and October rains significantly improved the situation in most areas. Rainfall for the two-month period from August 28 through October 29 totaled over eight inches in many locations (see map below). Rainfall totals for this period were four or more inches in excess of the historical average (see map below) across large sections of central and northern Minnesota. When compared with historical rainfall totals for the same two-month time frame, 2007 values ranked near, or above, all-time highs over much of central and northeastern Minnesota. (see map below).
August 28 to October 29 2007 Precipitation August 28 to October 29 2007 Precipitation Departure Map August 28 to October 29 2007 Precipitation Ranking Map

Sector briefs:

More drought information resources are found at http://climate.umn.edu/doc/journal/drought_information_resources.htm.

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URL: http://climate.umn.edu/doc/journal/drought_situation_report_2007_071108.htm
Last modified: November 8, 2007