Drought — Houston, Minnesota

2023-08-01 to 2023-08-31 · Houston, Minnesota

Event narrative

Ongoing drier than normal conditions, comprised of 6 consecutive weeks of at least severe drought (D2), worsened to extreme drought (D3) for nearly all of Houston County through August. During the first half of August, a half to 2 inches inches of rain fell, initially preventing extreme drought (D3) conditions. Under a half inch of rain fell during the second half of August, 5 to 25 percent of normal for the time period, resulting in extreme drought (D3) for roughly 71 percent of Houston County. The United States Department of Agriculture declared Houston County as a contiguous natural disaster area due to the drought on August 10th and a primary natural disaster area on August 24th.

Wider weather episode

Drought conditions worsened across southeast Minnesota during the month of August. Monthly rainfall totals ranged from a half inch to 2 inches, which was 2 to 4 inches below normal. At the start of August, approximately 80 percent of southeast Minnesota was in at least severe drought (D2), with nearly 30 percent of the area in extreme drought (D3). By the end of August, with nearly 90 percent of southeast Minnesota in at least severe drought (D2), extreme drought (D3) conditions were impacting nearly 70 percent of the area. The United States Department of Agriculture declared most of southeast Minnesota as primary or contiguous natural disaster areas due to the drought to provide financial assistance.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1135365. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.