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Paul Huttner

Region faces snow drought

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Much of Minnesota is in a significant snow drought this winter. Much of the state is more than two feet below average for winter snowfall so far. If there isn't significant snow between now and the spring melt, this translates into more than two inches of liquid water that will not be available as spring runoff for lakes and rivers, or to be absorbed into the soil as moisture for summer crops in most parts of the state. It may also lead to an active grass and forest fire season if additional moisture does not arrive at critical times this spring.

The driest areas are in northwest, north central, and central Minnesota and along the north shore of Lake Superior. Southern Minnesota has seen more snow due to a more southerly storm track this winter. Michigan's Upper Peninsula has seen considerable lake effect snows during the cold arctic outbreaks.

Below is a listing of snowfall amounts and deficits for various locations in the upper Midwest. (Data as of February 14, 2007)

Location Season Snowfall / Average / Deficit / Water Deficit (10:1 ratio)

Twin Cities - 12.1" / 38.0" / -25.9" / -2.59"

St. Cloud - 6.8" / 32.4" / -25.6" / -2.56"

Eau Claire - 20.6" / 35.0" / -14.4 / -1.44"

Duluth - 22.8" / 57.0" / -34.2" / -3.42"

International Falls - 21.6" / 50.0" / -28.4" / -2.84"

Fargo - 14.4" / 27.0" / -12.6" / -1.26"

Rochester - 28.6" / 35.5" / -6.9" / -.69"

Sioux Falls, SD - 17.8" / 25.7" / -7.9" / -.79"

Marquette, MI - 106.1" / 123.8" / -17.7" / -1.77"