Uncommon Dry Spell, November 2002 - March 2003
The period, November 2002 through March 2003, is among the driest five-month periods in Minnesota’s climate history. Five-month precipitation totals were under two inches for large areas of Minnesota, and under four inches for almost the entire state.
November to March precipitation totals fell short of the historical average (normal) in every Minnesota community. November through March precipitation deficits exceeded two inches nearly everywhere, and precipitation departures of three or more inches were common in many counties.
When compared with all other November through March periods in the historical data base, November 2002 through March 2003 precipitation ranks below the 25th percentile nearly everywhere, below the 5th percentile in many areas, and below the 1st percentile in a number of west central, north central, and northeastern Minnesota counties. A ranking below the 1st percentile indicates that a location was near or below the all-time minimum record for November through March precipitation.
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