Drought in Northern St. Louis, Minnesota

The northern part of the county began the month with a mix of D2 Severe Drought bordering a large area of D1 Moderate Drought. Little rainfall during the first two weeks of the month led to D2 Severe Drought spreading across the remainder of the northern part of the county with the August 17th update. Moderate to heavy rainfall during the last week of the month brought the monthly rainfall total closer to normal levels, but with seasonal deficits in excess of 3 to 6, no improvement in the drought was seen and the area moved into the D3 Extreme Drought category starting on the 24th.

Rainfall remained below normal for most of northeastern Minnesota through the month of August keeping much of the region in D2 Severe Drought or higher. Rainfall deficits of 1 to 2 inches for the month were common, although areas from the Brainerd Lakes area northward to the International Falls area saw near to above normal precipitation thanks to a more active pattern at the end of the month. However, with year-to-date deficits still in excess of 3 to 6 inches, drought conditions persisted. Additionally, this was the warmest summer on record in Duluth and the lack of rainfall led to Lake Superior falling below normal levels for the first time since 2014.