Minnesota Drought Situation Report - August 7, 2007
| Drought Monitor - July 31, 2007 |
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Drought Status
The latest U. S. Drought Monitor (see map at right) places
portions of northeastern Minnesota, and most of the southern one half of Minnesota, in the
Severe Drought category. With the exception of northwestern
counties, the remainder of Minnesota is classified as experiencing a Moderate Drought or
depicted as being Abnormally Dry. The drought situation in the northern
one third of Minnesota is the result of the lingering impacts of a very dry 2006, a snow-sparse 2006-2007 winter, and dry 2007 mid-summer weather.
The drought situation in the southern two thirds of Minnesota is due to an extremely dry 2007 growing season (see: 12-week U.S. Drought Monitor
animation). The U. S. Drought Monitor index is a blend of science and subjectivity
where intensity categories are based on several indicators.
Last week's weather:
Welcome rain fell this past Saturday across the southern three tiers of Minnesota counties. Rainfall totals ranged between one and two inches in these
areas (see map at left). Unfortunately, the weekend rain does not markedly change the overall drought picture. The water will be quickly consumed by the mature row crops that dominate the
landscape in southern Minnesota. Elsewhere in Minnesota, rainfall was very light last week, totaling less than one-quarter inch in most locales. The lack
of rainfall in these areas worsened an already serious situation. Weekly temperatures were generally above the long-term mean last week.
Seasonal weather overview:
Dryness has been entrenched across the southern two thirds of Minnesota for much of May, June, July, and early August. Rainfall for the eight-week
period from June 5 through July 30 totaled less than three inches over much of the southern two thirds of Minnesota (see map below).
In most of these areas, rainfall totals for the period were four or more inches short of the historical average (see map below).
When compared with historical rainfall totals for the same eight-week time frame, 2007 values ranked at or below the 5th percentile for many central and
southern Minnesota counties (see map below). In a few areas, the June 5 - July 30 rainfall totals were near all-time record low values.
The timing of the dry weather is unfortunate. The period from May through September is historically the wettest time of the year in Minnesota. Long-term average
rainfall rates during this time interval are around one inch per week. Very dry weather, occurring during a time of year when ample rain is typical, leads to the rapid
intensification of drought. The lack of precipitation, along with very high evaporation rates, has led to deteriorating crop conditions, lower
stream flows and lake levels, and increased wildfire danger.
Growing Season (April 1 to present) precipitation totals, departure, and ranking:
Rainfall totals since April 1 are less than nine inches across much of central Minnesota (see map below). Growing season rainfall totals
have deviated negatively from historical averages by more than four inches across many central, east central, southwestern, and south central
Minnesota counties (see map below). This is roughly the equivalent of missing all of June's rainfall. Seasonal rainfall deficits exceeding
six inches are reported in a band that extends from Litchfield in central Minnesota eastward into portions of the Twin Cities metropolitan area. Six-inch
shortfalls are also in place in some south central Minnesota counties. When compared with other seasonal rainfall totals-to-date in the historical database,
this year's rainfall for the season ranks just above the 10th percentile (one year in ten occurrence) in many southern Minnesota counties (see map below).
Sector briefs:
- Agriculture - The Agricultural Statistics Service reports that as of August 3, topsoil moisture across nearly 85% of Minnesota's landscape was "Short" or "Very Short". Corn and soybean conditions in many areas continue to decline in response to the diminishing soil moisture reserves. Only 25% of Minnesota's corn acreage is considered to be in "Good" or "Excellent" condition. Governor Pawlenty has requested a federal agricultural disaster declaration for 25 Minnesota counties.
- Stream flow - Stream discharge in roughly 45% of Minnesota's rivers and streams is below the 25th percentile when compared with historical data for this time of year. Flow conditions in many northeastern, central, and east central Minnesota watersheds fall below the 10th percentile for the date, leading the Department of Natural Resources to suspend surface water appropriation permits in some areas. Mississippi River flow conditions remain very low along the upper reaches of the river. Mississippi River discharge near Anoka is at roughly the same flow rate as it was during the heart of some of Minnesota's more famous droughts (1976, 1988, 2006).
- Lake levels - Lake levels continue to drop throughout Minnesota, exposing shoreline, and in some cases, making water access difficult. Quantitative lake level data are difficult to obtain in real time. However, anecdotal reports indicate that many lakes, especially in central and east central Minnesota, are a foot or more below average levels for the date. The Lake Superior water level is near an all-time low for the date and could fall below the all-time seasonal low by early autumn.
- Wildfire Danger - The Department of Natural Resources - Division of Forestry classifies current wildfire danger as High or Very High across much of central, east central, and northeastern Minnesota. Most of the remainder of the state is depicted in the Moderate Danger category.
- Public water supply - Many Minnesota communities have imposed watering restrictions due to increased lawn watering demands. The City of Chanhassen is enforcing a total watering ban.
More drought information resources are found at http://climate.umn.edu/doc/journal/drought_information_resources.htm.
Return to Minnesota Climatology Working Group Main page
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URL: http://climate.umn.edu/doc/journal/drought_situation_report_2007_070807.htm
Last modified: August 7, 2007