Minnesota Drought Eases After Multi-Day Rainfall

A multi-day rain system broke several daily records and reduced drought coverage across the state.

Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Current Conditions

Wide photograph of rain falling over a flat wet Minnesota prairie beneath a low gray autumn sky, with bare trees along the distant field edge. — Rain that broke several daily records in the Twin Cities and Hibbing eased Minnesota's drought over the week, though nearly half the state remains abnormally dry. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Drought conditions in Minnesota improved after a multi-day rainfall system moved through the state, which began Monday and wrapped up Thursday morning. The Twin Cities and Hibbing both recorded record-setting daily rainfall totals.

Why it matters

Despite the rain, nearly half of Minnesota remains under abnormally dry conditions, meaning residents across the state are still affected by lingering dryness. The record rainfall offers short-term relief for areas that had been experiencing moderate to severe drought.

The U.S. Drought Monitor shows moderate drought dropping from 35.55% of Minnesota last week to 24.92%, and severe drought falling from 24.52% to 2.86%. The source does not indicate how durable these improvements will be.

The players

National Weather Service

The federal agency responsible for weather forecasting and observation in the United States, which recorded the rainfall totals reported in this story.

U.S. Drought Monitor

A weekly map produced jointly by federal and academic partners that classifies drought intensity across the country.

The details

Rain began falling Monday and wrapped up Thursday morning. The Twin Cities recorded 0.66 inches by 7 p.m. Tuesday, breaking a 56-year-old daily record for Nov. 3, while Hibbing recorded 2.18 inches Monday, shattering its previous daily record of 0.53 inches set in 1992.

Monday, Nov. 2, 2026: Multi-day rain system begins; Hibbing records 2.18 inches.
Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026: Twin Cities records 0.66 inches, breaking a 56-year-old record.
Thursday morning, Nov. 5, 2026: Rain system wraps up across Minnesota.

Seasonal Patterns

Measured against the weekly U.S. Drought Monitor classifications, this week's drop in Minnesota's moderate and severe drought categories marks a clear short-term change from last week's readings. Early November rainfall records here are notable against the historical daily totals set in the Twin Cities and Hibbing.

Residents across Minnesota should still treat dry conditions seriously, since nearly half the state remains abnormally dry despite the recent rain. Conserving water and monitoring local drought updates will remain practical steps as the state's conditions continue to change.

The takeaway

A single multi-day storm can erase much of a drought's most severe categories in a week, but nearly half of Minnesota remains dry, so the rain alone does not resolve the broader shortage.