![Drought Area Continues to Expand in Minnesota](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2021/06/attachment-drought-map.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Drought Area Continues to Expand in Minnesota
UNDATED -- This week's map from the U.S. Drought Monitor shows 75 percent of the state of Minnesota is now in a moderate drought. A moderate drought means river and lake levels are lower than normal.
Fourteen percent of the state is in a severe drought. In these areas the ground is hard, seed corn is short, feed is expensive, crop yields are low, fire danger is high, burn permits are required, landscaping is stressed, leaves change colors early, bears search for food, trout runs are hampered, fish kills occur, river flow is very low, and well levels decrease.
As dry as it has been this year, last year was actually worse. The National Weather Service says we've had 9.7 inches of precipitation so far this year compared to 6.85 inches at this same time last year.
We did get a little bit of rain early Thursday morning here in St. Cloud. The best chances for rain over the next few days appear to be well to our south in southern Minnesota and northern Iowa.
![AM 1240 WJON logo](https://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2021/11/attachment-wjonam-alexacard-big.jpg?w=100)
Minnesota's Most Unique Places To Stay The Night
St. Cloud Is Home to One of Three Art-o-Mats in Minnesota
More From AM 1240 WJON
![Severe Thunderstorms Race Across Much of Minnesota Saturday](http://townsquare.media/site/65/files/2019/04/GettyImages-895010376.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Storms Produce Tornado and Severe Thunderstorm Warnings Wednesday](http://townsquare.media/site/65/files/2022/05/attachment-johannes-plenio-ESL1rIs9j48-unsplash-1.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Tornado Sirens to Sound Thursday for Severe Wx Awareness Week](http://townsquare.media/site/65/files/2019/04/GettyImages-913868482.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Late March Snowstorm Buries Much of Minnesota](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2023/02/attachment-st-cloud-snow-plow-2-24-23-edit.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![St. Cloud In Winter Storm Warning Starting Sunday](http://townsquare.media/site/65/files/2021/12/attachment-GettyImages-2786683.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Recent Rainfall Eases Minnesota Drought Conditions](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2023/08/attachment-Drought-Map-8-17-23.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Portions of Minnesota Could See Severe Storms on Friday](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2023/08/attachment-Storm-Chance1.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Minnesota Drought Conditions Persist With Little Relief](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2023/08/attachment-Drought-8-10-23.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Storm Chances Arrive Wednesday Afternoon](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2023/08/attachment-Storm-Chance.jpg?w=980&q=75)