Updraft® - Minnesota Weather News

Drought conditions expand to nearly all Minnesota

Drought monitor 10-31
Drought conditions in Minnesota as of Tuesday
National Drought Mitigation Center

Drought conditions continue to expand across the state, according to data released Thursday. Nearly the entire state is experiencing a level of drought.

Drought conditions expand

As October wraps up, nearly all of our state is in some sort of drought, according to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor report. Moderate drought conditions increased from 86 percent to greater than 90 percent.

The most significant changes are in areas experiencing severe drought, which increased to 51 percent of the state, up from 42 percent last week.

Drought changes 10-24 to 10-31
Minnesota drought conditions as of Oct. 22 (left) and Oct. 29
National Drought Mitigation Center

The beneficial rain of more than one-half inch on Oct. 24 didn’t provide as much relief as expected. As we enter a more active weather pattern, however, forecast models indicate that rain totals in the metro area could reach 2 to 3 inches by early November.

Forecasted rainfall through early November
Rainfall forecast through early November
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Halloween precipitation

With Halloween's rain and snowfall, we can expect some impressive snowfall rates in the Twin Cities region. This snow should help alleviate drought conditions. We’re hopeful for improvements in next week’s update.

Snowfall estimates for October 31, 2024
Snowfall estimates for Thursday
NOAA, via Pivotal Weather