Extreme Drought Conditions Persist in Rochester Area
UNDATED (WJON News) -- The drought area continues to deepen and widen across the state of Minnesota.
Thursday's weekly update from the U.S. Drought Monitor says 80 percent of the state is now in at least a moderate drought, up from 70 percent last week.
The severe drought area is now at 30 percent, up from 18 percent last week.
Nearly all of Olmsted County is still rated as experiencing extreme drought conditions. Two other small areas with extreme drought conditions were also found just north of the Twin Cities and in central Minnesota near St. Cloud.
The precipitation total for the entire month of July in Rochester is just over 2.1 inches, which includes a 1-inch rainfall on July 22. The rainfall total for the entire month of June was 1.34 inches.
Note, even though the update has come out on Thursday, the numbers are as of 8:00 a.m. Tuesday.
The extended forecast isn't promising either. The Climate Prediction Center says the first week of August is looking to be drier than normal, especially in the eastern part of Minnesota.
Come Visit St. Martin, Minnesota with us in Pictures
More From KROC-AM
