A dry start to summer resulted in severe drought conditions developing across portions of southeast Minnesota near the start of July. A pair of storm systems brought temporary slight alleviation to severe drought conditions for some areas by mid July. However, dry conditions later in the month resulted in severe drought conditions returning or even worsening to extreme during the second half of the month.

Drought in HOUSTON, MINNESOTA
From 04-JUL-23 06:00:00 to 31-JUL-23 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Abnormally dry conditions with monthly rainfall totals 2 to 5 inches below normal across Houston County for June resulted in severe drought conditions realized for 84 square miles, or 15% of Houston County in the beginning of July. While slight relief was realized into the middle of July from passing storm systems, July rainfall totals finished 2 inches below normal in spots. This resulted in 493 square miles, or 86% of Houston County in severe drought conditions by late July.

Drought in OLMSTED, MINNESOTA
From 04-JUL-23 06:00:00 to 31-JUL-23 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Abnormally dry conditions with monthly rainfall totals of 4 to 5 inches below normal in June across Olmsted County resulted in severe drought conditions developing across all of Olmsted County at the beginning of July. Through the rest of the month, ongoing abnormally dry conditions with rainfall totals 3 inches below normal in spots resulted in 476 square miles, or 73% of Olmsted County being upgraded to extreme drought conditions by mid July.

Drought in WABASHA, MINNESOTA
From 04-JUL-23 06:00:00 to 31-JUL-23 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Abnormally dry conditions with monthly rainfall totals 3 to 5 inches below normal across Wabasha County in June resulted in severe drought conditions developing across 236 square miles of western Wabasha County in the beginning of July. Ongoing abnormally dry conditions throughout July with monthly rainfall nearing 2 inches below normal in spots resulted in 314 square miles, or 57% of Wabasha County in severe drought conditions.

Drought in WINONA, MINNESOTA
From 04-JUL-23 06:00:00 to 31-JUL-23 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Abnormally dry conditions with monthly rainfall totals 1 to 5 inches below normal across Winona County in June resulted in severe drought conditions developing across 172 square miles of western Winona County in the beginning of July. Ongoing anomalously dry conditions throughout July with monthly rainfall nearing 2 inches below normal in spots resulted in 264 square miles, or 42% of Winona County experiencing severe drought conditions by late July.

Drought in DODGE, MINNESOTA
From 04-JUL-23 06:00:00 to 31-JUL-23 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Abnormally dry conditions with rainfall totals 3 to 5 inches below normal for the month of June resulted in severe drought conditions for 88 square miles across eastern Dodge County towards the start of July. The anomalously dry conditions continued through July with rainfall totals of 1 to 3 inches below normal. This resulted in all of Dodge County experiencing at least severe drought conditions, with far eastern Dodge County worsening further to extreme drought.

Drought in MOWER, MINNESOTA
From 04-JUL-23 06:00:00 to 31-JUL-23 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Abnormally dry conditions persisting into July resulted in 332 square miles across northern Mower County realizing severe drought conditions by mid July. The rainfall deficit worsened during the second half of the month with 48 square miles across northeast Mower County being upgraded to extreme drought.

Drought in FILLMORE, MINNESOTA
From 04-JUL-23 06:00:00 to 31-JUL-23 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Abnormally dry conditions with rainfall totals 3 to 5 inches below normal for the month of June resulted in severe drought conditions developing across 394 square miles of northern Fillmore County in the beginning of July. While slight relief was realized into the middle of July from passing storm systems, dry conditions later in the month led to monthly rainfall finishing 2 inches below normal in spots. This resulted in 494 square miles, or 57% of Fillmore County experiencing severe drought conditions through July. Within this drought area, 97 square miles across northwest Fillmore County was upgraded to extreme drought conditions by mid July.