Drought conditions worsened across southeast Minnesota during the month of August. Monthly rainfall totals ranged from a half inch to 2 inches, which was 2 to 4 inches below normal. At the start of August, approximately 80 percent of southeast Minnesota was in at least severe drought (D2), with nearly 30 percent of the area in extreme drought (D3). By the end of August, with nearly 90 percent of southeast Minnesota in at least severe drought (D2), extreme drought (D3) conditions were impacting nearly 70 percent of the area. The United States Department of Agriculture declared most of southeast Minnesota as primary or contiguous natural disaster areas due to the drought to provide financial assistance.

Drought in WINONA, MINNESOTA
From 01-AUG-23 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-23 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Ongoing drier than normal conditions, comprised of 5 consecutive weeks of at least severe drought (D2), spread and worsened in Winona County through August. During the first half of August, 1 to 1.5 inches of rain fell, initially preventing any spread of severe drought (D2) conditions that impacted the southwestern 40%. Under a third on an inch of rain fell during the second half of August, less than 10 percent of normal for the time period, resulting in extreme drought (D3) being realized for roughly 15 percent of Winona County (98 square miles). The United States Department of Agriculture declared Winona County as a primary disaster area due to the drought on August 10th.

Drought in FILLMORE, MINNESOTA
From 01-AUG-23 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-23 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Ongoing drier than normal conditions, comprised of 5 consecutive weeks of at least severe drought (D2), worsened to extreme drought (D3) for nearly all of Fillmore County through August. During the first half of August, 1 to 2 inches of rain fell, initially preventing any spread of the drought conditions. Under a half inch of rain fell during the second half of August, less than 25 percent of normal for the time period, resulting in extreme drought (D3) conditions for roughly 98 percent of Fillmore County. Impacts included public reduction of water usage at the splash pad because of drought conditions. The United States Department of Agriculture declared Fillmore County as a contiguous natural disaster area due to the drought on August 10th.

Drought in DODGE, MINNESOTA
From 01-AUG-23 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-23 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Ongoing drier than normal conditions, comprised of 5 consecutive weeks of at least severe drought (D2), worsened to extreme drought (D3) for nearly all of Dodge County through August. During the first half of August, 1 to 2 inches of rain fell, temporarily reducing extreme drought (D3) conditions across the central quarter of the county. Under a tenth of an inch of rain fell during the second half of August, less than 5 percent of normal for the time period, resulting in extreme drought (D3) for about 90 percent of Dodge County. The United States Department of Agriculture declared Dodge County as a contiguous natural disaster area due to the drought on August 10th.

Drought in HOUSTON, MINNESOTA
From 01-AUG-23 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-23 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Ongoing drier than normal conditions, comprised of 6 consecutive weeks of at least severe drought (D2), worsened to extreme drought (D3) for nearly all of Houston County through August. During the first half of August, a half to 2 inches inches of rain fell, initially preventing extreme drought (D3) conditions. Under a half inch of rain fell during the second half of August, 5 to 25 percent of normal for the time period, resulting in extreme drought (D3) for roughly 71 percent of Houston County. The United States Department of Agriculture declared Houston County as a contiguous natural disaster area due to the drought on August 10th and a primary natural disaster area on August 24th.

Drought in MOWER, MINNESOTA
From 01-AUG-23 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-23 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Ongoing drier than normal conditions, comprised of 5 consecutive weeks of at least severe drought (D2), worsened to extreme drought (D3) for all of Mower County through August. During the first half of August, a half to 1.5 inches of rain fell, initially preventing any spread of extreme drought conditions. Under a third of an inch of rain fell during the second half of August, less than 10 percent of normal for the time period, resulting in extreme drought (D3) being realized for much of the county. The United States Department of Agriculture declared Mower County as a contiguous natural disaster area due to the drought on August 10th. A grass fire spread quickly in Austin in the middle of August due to the drier than normal conditions, burning a tractor, car, and motorcycles behind a residence.

Drought in OLMSTED, MINNESOTA
From 01-AUG-23 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-23 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Ongoing drier than normal conditions, comprised of 5 consecutive weeks of at least severe drought (D2), worsened to extreme drought (D3) for all of Olmsted County through August. During the first half of August, 1 to 2 inches of rain fell, temporarily reducing areal extent of extreme drought (D3) conditions by 60%. Under a third of an inch of rain fell during the second half of August, less than 10 percent of normal for the time period, resulting in a return to extreme drought (D3) conditions for nearly 99 percent of the county. Reported impacts included requests for limited water usage in the city of Rochester, delayed produce harvests, and reduced yields from pastures. The United States Department of Agriculture declared Olmsted County as a contiguous natural disaster area due to the drought on August 10th.

Drought in WABASHA, MINNESOTA
From 01-AUG-23 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-23 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Ongoing drier than normal conditions, comprised of 5 consecutive weeks of at least severe drought (D2), continued for Wabasha County through August. Monthly rainfall of 1 to 2 inches was 2 to 3 inches below average, or less than half of normal monthly rainfall totals. By the end of August, severe drought (D2) persisted for the southwestern half of Wabasha County, impacting 314 square miles. The United States Department of Agriculture declared Wabasha County as a contiguous natural disaster area due to the drought on August 10th.