When was the worst drought in Minnesota?
Drought in Minnesota from 2000–Present The most intense period of drought occurred the week of August 17, 2021, where D4 affected 8.07% of Minnesota land.
What caused the 1988 drought?
The Pacific La Niña was intense in 1988. Scientists observed a series of processes that the cold surface temperature anomaly set into motion that made it directly responsible for the severe North American drought in the Great Plains region (Trenberth and Guillemot 1996; Mo et al.
How bad was the drought in 1988?
The 1988 drought was the worst in the Midwest since the “Dust Bowl” years in the mid-1930s. Damage and costs related to the drought amounted to $40 billion, and there were over 5,000 related fatalities, including heat stress-related.
Where did the drought of 1988 happen?
Along the West Coast and in the northwestern United States drought conditions developed during 1987 in association with the 1986 to 1987 El Niño in the tropical Pacific Ocean. Record low rainfalls from April to June 1988 led to rapid development of drought in the North Central United States.
Is Minnesota still in a drought 2021?
A major drought overtook Minnesota during 2021, as persistent moisture deficits combined with above-normal temperatures across the state. In some parts of the state, the drought was as serious as anything experienced in over 40 years, though for most of the state it was the worst drought in 10-30 years.
What is the driest year in MN?
1936
The driest 5-year period was 1932-1936 and the wettest were 1982-1986. The dark horizontal line is the long-term average (1895–2014) of 26.2 inches annually.
Was 1988 a dry year?
The 1988–1989 North American drought ranks among the worst episodes of drought in the United States. This multi-year drought began in most areas in 1988 and continued into 1989 and 1990 (in certain areas). The concurrent heat waves killed 4,800 to 17,000 people in the United States.
How much damage was a result of the 1988 drought and heat wave?
Why is Minnesota so dry right now?
Climate scientists are finding climate change indicators in the prolonged drought and recent extreme heat on the West Coast. One of the contributing factors is a high-pressure ridge sitting over the West Coast. That weather pattern is contributing to the dry weather we’ve been experiencing in Minnesota.
How bad is MN drought?
Thirty percent of Minnesota is experiencing severe drought (up from 27 percent last week). Seven percent is experiencing extreme drought (down from 16 percent last week). No areas in Minnesota are experiencing exceptional drought (unchanged from last week).