Ongoing abnormally dry conditions worsened drought severity through the first half of September for all counties in southeast Minnesota. Rainfall totals during this time remained under a half of an inch, up to 2 inches below normal. The result was exceptional drought (D4) being realized for a portion of southeast Minnesota by the middle of the month, including Mower County and much of Fillmore and southern Houston counties. Resultant topsoil moisture values were 70% below normal through the third week of September. Widespread impacts were reported from volunteer observers and broadcast media. Stunted corn, very dry pastures, and stressed fruit trees limited the growing season. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources raised their drought response phase to restrictive (D4) towards the start of September, asking residents of southeast Minnesota to limit outdoor water usage by 25%. A series of storms through the second half of the month provided near 5 of rainfall for much of southeast Minnesota. Highest 24 hour rainfall reports from volunteer observers included 4.4 near Kasson (Dodge County), 3.92 north of Rochester (Olmsted County), and 3.7 near Harmony (Fillmore County). The resultant soil moisture content for the final week of September neared 20% above normal for much of the area. The increased rainfall totals also resulted in the removal of exceptional drought (D4) across southeast Minnesota for the final drought monitor issuance of September. Extreme drought (D3) persisted for 75% of the local area through the end of the month. 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-SEP-23 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-23 00:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Ongoing drier than normal conditions, comprised of 9 consecutive weeks of at least severe drought (D2), expanded to all of Winona County at the start of September. By September 11th, under a half of an inch of rain fell across Winona County, which was 0.5 to 1.5 inches below normal for the time period. The resultant topsoil moisture neared 50% below normal. A series of storms provided 3 to 4 inches of rainfall across Winona County during the second half of September, up to 2 inches above normal for the time period. This resulted in a downgrade of the severe drought (D2) to moderate drought (D1) for nearly the entire county towards the end of September. Due to the drought, the United States Department of Agriculture declared Winona County as a contiguous natural disaster area on September 1st, 7th, and 12th.

Drought in DODGE, MINNESOTA
From 01-SEP-23 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-23 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Ongoing drier than normal conditions, comprised of 7 consecutive weeks of at least extreme drought (D3), expanded across all of Dodge County through September. By September 11th, less than a half inch of rain fell, more than inch below normal for the time period. The resultant topsoil moisture content was 50 to 70% below normal. A series of storms provided approximately 3 inches of rainfall during the second half of September, up to 2 inches above normal for the time period. These above normal rainfall totals resulted in downgrade of the extreme drought (D3) to severe drought (D2) for nearly all of Dodge County by the end of the month. The United States Department of Agriculture declared Dodge County as a contiguous natural disaster area due to the drought on September 7th and 22nd due to the ongoing drought.

Drought in FILLMORE, MINNESOTA
From 01-SEP-23 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-23 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Ongoing drier than normal conditions, comprised of 7 consecutive weeks of at least extreme drought (D3), worsened to exceptional drought (D4) for most of Fillmore County through the middle of September. By September 11th, approximately a half of an inch of rain fell across Fillmore County, more than inch below normal for the time period. Resultant topsoil moisture content neared 70% below normal. A series of storms provided around 3 inches of rainfall during the second half of September, approximately 1 inch above normal for the time period. The above normal rainfall resulted in the downgrade of exceptional drought (D4) to extreme drought (D3) and the ongoing extreme drought (D3) to severe drought (D2) towards the end of September.

Drought in HOUSTON, MINNESOTA
From 01-SEP-23 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-23 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Ongoing drier than normal conditions, comprised of 10 weeks of at least severe drought (D2), worsened to exceptional drought (D4) for parts of Houston County through the middle of September. By September 11th, under a quarter of an inch of rain fell, resulting in top soil moistures 50% below normal. The consequential drought classification was upgraded to exceptional drought (D4) for nearly half of the county. A series of storms provided 3 to 5 inches of rainfall during the second half of September, approximately an inch above normal for the time period. These above normal rainfalls resulted in removal of exceptional drought (D4) towards the end of September as extreme (D3) and severe drought (D2) persisted for most of the area. The United States Department of Agriculture declared Houston County as a contiguous natural disaster area due to the drought on September 13th and 21st.

Drought in MOWER, MINNESOTA
From 01-SEP-23 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-23 00:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Ongoing drier than normal conditions, comprised of 7 consecutive weeks of at least extreme drought (D3), worsened to exceptional drought (D4) for nearly all of Mower County through the middle of September. By September 11th, approximately a half of an inch of rain fell across Mower County, which was half of normal for the time period. Resultant topsoil moisture neared 70% below normal. A series of storms provided 2 to 3 inches of rainfall across Mower County during the second half of September, up to an inch above normal for the time period. As a result, exceptional drought (D4) was downgraded to extreme drought (D3) by the end of September, encompassing all of Mower County.

Drought in OLMSTED, MINNESOTA
From 01-SEP-23 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-23 00:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Ongoing drier than normal conditions, comprised of 9 consecutive weeks of at least extreme drought (D3), continued for all of Olmsted County through the middle of September. By September 11th, approximately a half of an inch of rain fell across Olmsted County, near 1 inch below normal for the time period. The resultant topsoil moisture content neared 70% below normal. A series of storms provided near 4 inches of rainfall across Olmsted County during the second half of September, up to 2 inches above normal for the time period. As a result, nearly all of the extreme drought (D3) was downgraded to severe drought (D2) across Olmsted County. The United States Department of Agriculture declared Olmsted County as a contiguous natural disaster area on September 1st and 7th. Broadcast media reported widespread impacts to both crops and outdoor tourism. Initial crop germination was delayed, reducing the size of apples and edibility of pumpkins without proper maturity. Crops near Rochester also suffered from the lack of water, with decreased yields and stunted growth.

Drought in WABASHA, MINNESOTA
From 01-SEP-23 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-23 00:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Ongoing drier than normal conditions, comprised of 9 consecutive weeks of at least severe drought (D2), expanded to encompass nearly all of Wabasha County through the middle of September. By September 11th, under a tenth of an inch of rain fell across Wabasha County, more than an inch below normal for the time period. The resultant topsoil moisture dropped to 50 to 70% below normal. A series of storms provided around 5 inches of rainfall across Wabasha County during the second half of September, near 3 inches above normal in spots for the time period. This resulted in removal of severe drought (D2) towards the end of September for nearly all of Wabasha County, replaced by moderate drought (D1). The United States Department of Agriculture declared Wabasha County as a primary natural disaster area on September 1st. Reported impacts included a reduction in apple size at an orchard in Elgin as well as failed squash crops without necessary irrigation.