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Showing posts from March, 2021

Needed Precipitation

Needed Precipitation: Some of the most abundant and efficient precipitation of the year so far occurred this week bringing 0.5 to 1.5 inches to many areas of the state. A few climate stations reported new record daily rainfall amounts on either March 24 or March 25 this week, including: 0.90 inches at Hastings 0.92 inches at Albert Lea 0.99 inches at Faribault 1.30 inches at Jordan 0.86 inches at Lamberton 1.27 inches at U of M St Paul Campus 0.83 inches at Owatonna Much of the soil, already thawed out from winter was able to absorb all of the rain that occurred. Some areas of the state have seen just half of normal precipitation fall so far this year. Only about 10 percent of the climate reporting stations in Minnesota have recorded two or more inches of precipitation so far this month, while some have reported less than a quarter of an inch. The Drought Monitor continues to show all of Minnesota to be drier than normal, with portions of the north and west in moderate drought. Rain

Some records snows, but moisture still lacking across the state

Some record snows, but moisture still lacking across the state: A winter storm brought some much-needed moisture to southern Minnesota on March 15th. Precipitation amounts were generally a quarter to half an inch, but some areas received 0.75 inches up to 1 inch. Snowfall amounts ranged from 2 to 6 inches in many areas. Some locations in the state climate network reported record amounts of snow, including: 8.2 inches at St Peter 7.9 inches at Rochester 7.5 inches at Owatonna 7.4 inches at Austin 7.0 inches at Lakefield 4.5 inches at Albert Lea Further south, Charles City, IA reported a record 8.0 inches, and Prairie Du Chien, WI reported a record 5.0 inches. Moisture is generally welcome over any part of Minnesota as most climate stations are showing deficits in precipitation for the year so far. Much of western and northern Minnesota is in a moderate drought according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. Ada (Norman County) has reported only 0.21 inches for the year so far, while Leech L