Drought in Northern Aitkin, Minnesota

D2 Severe Drought persisted across much of the western half of northern Aitkin County over the first half of the month. A storm around the Christmas holiday brought rainfall to the area and pushed monthly precipitation totals to 1 to 3 inches above normal. This lead to almost the complete removal of D2 Severe Drought aside from a very small sliver in the far northwest corner of the county with the update on the 26th.

D2 Severe Drought conditions persisted across parts of Koochiching, Itasca, Cass, Crow Wing and Aitkin counties during December. Little change in the area of D2 Severe Drought was observed through the month with only a slight reduction in area during the middle of the month. Precipitation for the month ended up near to above normal over most of the area thanks to a warm storm that moved through the region during the Christmas holiday period bringing rainfall to most areas. The rainfall was not enough, however, to make much of a difference in the overall dry conditions.