Protecting your lawn and plants from the drought
With the lack of rain, it's shaping up to be a stressful summer for plants. There are products homeowners can put on their lawns and in their flower baskets that help them retain moisture, but mostly, it's about knowing when and how much to water them.
Drought quickly expands in Minnesota
This may be a classic "be careful what you wish for" scenario. April was a mostly cool & another very wet month with plenty of sub average temperatures and gloomy conditions. This coming after the wettest winter on record and one of the wettest starts to spring on record. At this point, Minnesotans couldn't scream loud enough to get the gloom to end. Well, Mother Nature heard you and flipped the switch. May ended up anywhere from the 2nd to 5th sunniest on record, depending on where you live in the state, and the rain completely shut down after the first few days.
Farmers deal with lingering dry conditions
A dry start to growing season is becoming a growing concern for farmers.
Saturday offers chance of thunderstorms
As much of Minnesota is facing dry conditions, a chance of isolated thunderstorms arrives Saturday. However, they'll likely be scattered and not widespread. A cold front will follow into Sunday, before more warm temperatures around the corner early next week.
NWS issues Red Flag Warning for extreme wildfire risk in central and southern Minnesota
The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a Red Flag Warning for large parts of Central and Southern Minnesota until 6 p.m. Sunday due to extreme fire risk conditions.
Drought conditions could impact Minnesota Christmas trees for years to come
With the lack of rainfall over the last two years, Christmas tree farmers in Minnesota have been forced to adapt to the changing conditions.
Drought conditions could impact Minnesota Christmas trees for years to come
With the lack of rainfall over the last two years, Christmas tree farmers in Minnesota have been forced to adapt.
Minnesota waterways falling to near-record lows as meaningful moisture stays away
Despite the light rain earlier this week, the dry conditions in the Twin Cities and much of the southern half of the state continue to get worse. That's after one of the driest 5-month stretches on record, with little relief in sight.
Twin Cities seeing driest October in over 40 years
Despite the light rain earlier this week, the dry conditions in the Twin Cities and much of the southern half of the state continue to get worse. That's after one of the driest 5 month stretches on record, with little relief in sight. Lake Minnetonka is at its lowest water level since 2000, and other waterways are also well below normal.
Viking Cruise ship forced to dock due to low water levels on Mississippi River
A cruise ship trip running up the Mississippi River was forced to dock early, due to unusually low water levels on the Mississippi River.
Twin Cities metro reaches 'extreme drought' conditions for the first time this year
For the first time this year, the Twin Cities metro has reached "extreme drought" conditions. Unusually low water levels on the Mississippi River are causing cruise ships and barges to get stuck.
Twin Cities metro reaches 'extreme drought' conditions
For the first time this year, the Twin Cities metro has reached "extreme drought" conditions. The lack of rain and moisture can especially be seen in our rivers, lakes and streams.
Barges getting stuck on Mississippi River amid drought
Parts of Minnesota are now in "extreme drought," and the ongoing drought is causing problems on the Mississippi River. Barges are getting stuck in the river, which is impacting crop shipments.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.