For the first time since September 2020, no part of Minnesota is under ‘severe drought’

There are no “severe drought” areas in Minnesota for the first time since September 2020.

It was soggy and wet in Glencoe, Minnesota, on Monday.

For farmers like Ryan Mackenthum, that’s a good thing.

Mackenthum’s corn and soybean crop depend on it, and he’s hopeful there’s enough moisture to get his crops going and that it will last through summer.

“We really need to get this crop off to a good start and then still have that moisture there in May, June, and the heat of July to sustain that crop and keep it going. That’s what I’m concerned about: the subsoil profile,” he said.

Precipitation levels that were more typical of a Minnesota fall and winter were enough to start to catch up with most areas across the state.

According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, many areas of Minnesota are still abnormally dry. Still, for the first time since September 2020, there are no areas classified as being in “severe drought.”

KSTP Meteorologist Matt Serwe says we will start to see short-term drought relief like green yards and rising river levels. But it doesn’t mean a quick fix for everything as we head into spring.

“We are not quite to long-term remediation. That’s where you start to see the water table come up, as well as lake levels which are still low,” Serwe said, adding, “that typically takes a season or two of drought relief before we see long-term impacts.”