Experts: No Need to Worry Yet About Drought in Minnesota

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — As winter relaxes its grip on Minnesota, experts say there's no need to worry yet about dry conditions turning into a drought.

Nearly all of Minnesota has been abnormally dry for the past several weeks, and there are patches of moderate drought in north-central Minnesota and the Red River Valley. The thin snow cover across southern Minnesota is giving way to brown lawns and bare fields. Temperatures in the 50s and low 60s this week should finish off most of what's left.

While drought would be unwelcome to farmers who are already facing a second straight year of low grain prices, climatologists say there's ample precedent for a turnaround.

University of Minnesota Extension climatologist Mark Seeley says a dry early spring often gives way to a wetter April and May.