Farmers harvest crops after another dry growing season
As temperatures dip this week, farmers across the state are busy harvesting their crops. But after another year that was short on rain, some farmers in Rice County have seen better days.
As temperatures dip this week, farmers across the state are busy harvesting their crops. But after another year that was short on rain, some farmers in Rice County have seen better days.
September 2022 is the driest September on record for the Twin Cities
Well, if you've spent any time in Minnesota in September over the years, you know we can get and have had just about everything. From high heat and humidity to very gusty winds, plenty of rain, and even some snowflakes. This year though, it's been more of the same; warm and VERY dry. Dry enough in fact, that we're finishing up our driest September on record in the Twin Cities. That's not good, considering we just finished one of the driest summers on record.
Well, if you've spent any time in Minnesota in September over the years, you know we can get and have had just about everything. From high heat and humidity to very gusty winds, plenty of rain, and even some snowflakes. This year though, it's been more of the same; warm and VERY dry. Dry enough in fact, that we're finishing up our driest September on record in the Twin Cities. That's not good, considering we just finished one of the driest summers on record.
Farmers in the Minnesota River Valley struggle with drought
The driest conditions in the state are centered around the metro, in a thin stripe of moderate to severe drought along the Minnesota River Valley. In that area, some farmers are predicting up to a 50% loss in their yields for the second consecutive year.
The driest conditions in the state are centered around the metro, in a thin stripe of moderate to severe drought along the Minnesota River Valley. In that area, some farmers are predicting up to a 50% loss in their yields for the second consecutive year.
Drought conditions persist across Twin Cities
The dog days of summer are here and so is the hot and dry weather as drought conditions continue to expand across Minnesota.
The dog days of summer are here and so is the hot and dry weather as drought conditions continue to expand across Minnesota.
Building heat and expanding drought likely to encompass Minnesota in the days ahead
After an above average and very dry first half of the summer, more of the same is likely for at least the next week. However, it's likely we dial the heat up a notch and see plenty of 90s through the rest of July.
After an above average and very dry first half of the summer, more of the same is likely for at least the next week. However, it's likely we dial the heat up a notch and see plenty of 90s through the rest of July.
Hot, dry weather causes low water levels on Prior Lake
With temperatures rising, lake levels haven't impacted operations at Charlie's on Prior in Prior Lake so far, but dock crews are still checking the water daily - worrying what might happen if it keeps getting lower.
With temperatures rising, lake levels haven't impacted operations at Charlie's on Prior in Prior Lake so far, but dock crews are still checking the water daily - worrying what might happen if it keeps getting lower.
Farmers dealing with opposite challenges one year later
Last summer in Wright County drought conditions forced farm yields down by about 40% from the year before. But this year many are worried for the opposite reason.
Last summer in Wright County drought conditions forced farm yields down by about 40% from the year before. But this year many are worried for the opposite reason.
2021 finishes as 5th warmest on record, driest in more than decade
2021 now ranks as the fifth-warmest year on record in the Twin Cities and one of the driest in more than a decade.
2021 now ranks as the fifth-warmest year on record in the Twin Cities and one of the driest in more than a decade.
2021 Weather in Review: Minnesota sees a year of extremes
From wildfires and drought to extreme cold, Minnesota saw a wide range of extreme weather in 2021.
From wildfires and drought to extreme cold, Minnesota saw a wide range of extreme weather in 2021.
Twin Cities rounding out driest year in more than decade
The Twin Cities is rounding out one of its driest years in more than a decade.
The Twin Cities is rounding out one of its driest years in more than a decade.
How the drought impacted Christmas trees in Minnesota, western Wisconsin
Overall, this season's Christmas trees are in good shape, but you might need to give it some extra water because of the drought earlier in the year.
Overall, this season's Christmas trees are in good shape, but you might need to give it some extra water because of the drought earlier in the year.
Minnesota cattle farmer sells half of herd after tough drought season
The rain came a little too late for many farmers this year. Now with winter approaching and feed prices soaring, cattle farmers are having to decide whether to hold on or sell.
The rain came a little too late for many farmers this year. Now with winter approaching and feed prices soaring, cattle farmers are having to decide whether to hold on or sell.
Lawn care expert: Now is the time to prep your drought damaged lawn for next year
A lot of people have given up on their lawns for the season. But now is the perfect time to give your lawn a head start for next year.
A lot of people have given up on their lawns for the season. But now is the perfect time to give your lawn a head start for next year.
Gradual improvement in Minnesota's drought continues
Some more beneficial rain over the last seven days continues to help the lakes, rivers, and soil recover from a near record dry summer.
Some more beneficial rain over the last seven days continues to help the lakes, rivers, and soil recover from a near record dry summer.
This summer's drought could mean shortened, muted fall color season
The severe and extreme drought across much of Minnesota this summer is putting stress on trees, which will impact their colors this fall.
The severe and extreme drought across much of Minnesota this summer is putting stress on trees, which will impact their colors this fall.
US records hottest summer since the Dust Bowl, NOAA says
The last seven Julys, from 2015 to 2021, have been the hottest seven Julys on record, said NOAA climatologist Ahira Sanchez-Lugo.
The last seven Julys, from 2015 to 2021, have been the hottest seven Julys on record, said NOAA climatologist Ahira Sanchez-Lugo.
Little change in Minnesota's drought status as we head into another dry stretch
The new drought monitor is out and it shows continued slow improvement in western Minnesota, especially across the southwest. Overall statewide, areas experiencing a severe drought or worse fell by 6%.
The new drought monitor is out and it shows continued slow improvement in western Minnesota, especially across the southwest. Overall statewide, areas experiencing a severe drought or worse fell by 6%.
Minnesota farmers seeing smaller returns on corn harvest due to drought
As the summer comes to an end, it?s time for farmers around Minnesota to harvest their crop. But after a tough drought, farmers aren?t seeing much life in their livelihood.
As the summer comes to an end, it?s time for farmers around Minnesota to harvest their crop. But after a tough drought, farmers aren?t seeing much life in their livelihood.
Expect muted fall colors this year due to drought
The ongoing drought in Minnesota is likely to have an impact on just how eye-popping the fall colors will be this year.
The ongoing drought in Minnesota is likely to have an impact on just how eye-popping the fall colors will be this year.
Despite recent rain, our drought is far from over
This is now officially one of the top ten wettest Augusts on record at MSP Airport. But despite a very wet week in the Twin Cities and other parts of Minnesota, our drought is far from over.
This is now officially one of the top ten wettest Augusts on record at MSP Airport. But despite a very wet week in the Twin Cities and other parts of Minnesota, our drought is far from over.