New Data Shows Drought Is Getting Worse

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - The drought is getting worse in Minnesota.

New data from the U.S. Drought Monitor on Thursday show that 77 percent of Minnesota is now in a moderate to extreme drought, up from 64 percent a week earlier.

The map also shows that a large part of northwestern Minnesota is now in extreme drought, while the portion of southern Minnesota in extreme drought has grown.

Parts of the northern Twin Cities metro area are now in severe drought, while moderate drought conditions have now taken hold in parts of northeastern Minnesota.

Cook County at the far northeastern tip of Minnesota is the only part of the state that's not rated at least abnormally dry.