Parts of Minnesota experience extreme drought for first time in 2023

MINNEAPOLIS -- Minnesota has seen extreme drought for the first time this year, according to the latest report from the U.S. Drought Monitor.

Parts of Anoka County, as well as southeastern and central Minnesota, experienced extreme drought conditions in the most recent reporting period. The last time extreme drought was reported in Minnesota was December 2022.

Meanwhile, other parts of the state, including the Twin Cities, Duluth and patches of eastern and north-central Minnesota are under severe drought conditions. The entirety of Minnesota is in some state of drought, per the monitor.

The drought monitor's latest report only includes precipitation that fell through 7 a.m. Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service, so Wednesday's rainfall is not reflected.

The counties affected right now by extreme drought make up about 1.5% of Minnesota's land area, compared to the 18.5% of the state that was in extreme drought conditions at this time two years ago.

Impact on farming

In Nowthen, farmers at Thompson Produce say they're working much longer hours to keep up with watering. Crops are mostly keeping up, other than sweet corn, which is running about two weeks behind.

Ryan Thompson says the dry weather is nothing new, but it can be exhausting to keep up with. Between his five plots of land around town, he's adding another 40 hours of watering work a week.

This level of drought makes land more susceptible to crop loss, extreme fire danger, and widespread watering restrictions, but Thompson says it's all just part of farming.

"It's one of those things it is another year of being dry. You just do what you can," he said. "Consistent rain would be nice, but I don't think it will come to fortune. Every year brings new battles and we've just got to adapt and move forward."

In:
• Drought