Minnesota Drought Conditions Improve Sharply

Abnormally dry and drought-affected areas shrank substantially across the state in the latest weekly update.

Updated on Nov. 12, 2026 in Current Conditions

Minnesota Drought Conditions Improve Sharply

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Dry conditions have eased across Minnesota, with abnormally dry areas falling to 39 percent of the state from 74 percent the prior week. Moderate drought coverage dropped to 7 percent from 28 percent, and severe drought fell below 1 percent from 3 percent.

Why it matters

The improvement reflects a wetter fall that has eased drought stress across much of the state. Residents and agricultural users in Minnesota benefit from the reduced drought footprint, though conditions remain uneven.

The U.S. Drought Monitor weekly update shows abnormally dry coverage down to 39 percent of Minnesota from 74 percent the prior week. Severe drought now covers less than 1 percent of the state, compared with 3 percent a week earlier, and the extraction does not say whether these gains will hold.

The players

National Weather Service

The National Weather Service is the federal agency within NOAA that issues weather forecasts and warnings for the United States.

U.S. Drought Monitor

The U.S. Drought Monitor is a weekly map produced jointly by federal agencies and university partners that classifies drought conditions across the country.

The details

St. Cloud recorded 2.57 inches of rain so far in November, nearly 2 inches above normal, and 9.10 inches across September, October and November combined, nearly 3 inches above normal. The city has recorded no snow so far this season, which is nearly 3 inches below normal for the period.

September through November 2026: fall rainfall totals measured in St. Cloud.
Week before the current update: drought categories measured at prior-week levels.
Late next week: dry weather expected to continue, according to the National Weather Service.

Seasonal Patterns

The weekly U.S. Drought Monitor classifications it reports on Minnesota are the same category system used nationwide to track drought severity over time. This week's sharp drop in moderate and severe drought categories follows a fall that delivered nearly three inches of extra rain to St. Cloud, a pattern that stands out against the region's typical autumn precipitation.

Farmers and landowners across Minnesota should check current soil moisture before making fall or winter planning decisions, since the drought categories changed sharply in one week. Dry weather is expected to continue into late next week, so residents should keep an eye on National Weather Service forecasts for any further changes.

The takeaway

Drought relief in Minnesota came quickly this fall, but the near-term outlook still points to continued dry weather. Tracking the weekly Drought Monitor update gives the clearest read on where conditions stand.