Officials Say Drought Concerns Are Easing Considerably

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) — There’s good news regarding Minnesota’s drought: It’s easing up considerably.

Minnesota farmers may be planting late this spring, but there’s a lot to be thankful for — in most parts of the state.

“We have made some progress throughout the state and we are no longer in an extreme drought situation, but we do have pockets where we are moderate to severe,” said David Nicolai of the University of Minnesota extension service in Dakota County.

NewsRadio 830 WCCO’s Steve Murphy Reports

Nicolai points to figures from the federal government showing that as recently as this winter, 83 percent of Minnesota was in a severe drought. By early April, it was down to 67 percent.

As of today, only 15 percent of Minnesota is in a severe drought. That’s mainly pockets in the southwestern, central and northwestern parts of the state.

It’s the silver lining in a spring that came oh so gradually and with unusual amounts of snow.