Drought expanding across Minnesota, including eastern Twin Cities

Drought is expanding across Minnesota.

Thursday’s latest U.S. Drought Monitor shows about 48 percent of Minnesota is now listed as “abnormally dry” or in drought status. That includes the greater Twin Cities area.

Moderate drought is present in southwest and northeast Minnesota. Parts of the eastern Twin Cities are also in moderate drought status. And the southwest corner of southwest Minnesota is now in severe drought status.

Less than an inch

Much of Minnesota has recorded less than an inch of rain in the past month. Over the past 30 days, most of Minnesota has received less than 50 percent of normal precipitation. Here’s the map from the Midwest Regional Climate Center.

Soaking rain Monday?

Another warm and dry weekend is on the way for Minnesota. A cold front arrives Monday with a band of rain showers. Most models crank out between a half inch and 1 inch of rain by Tuesday morning for most of Minnesota.

Here’s the European model rainfall forecast through Monday.

There could be more light rain next Thursday night. But right now I don't see any major soaking fall storm systems just yet.

Stay tuned.