MINNEAPOLIS, MN — Minnesota is heading into a stretch that could bring some much-needed relief from heat and dryness. Meteorologist Sven Sundgaard said the latest drought monitor shows flash drought spreading across the state, with drought conditions doubling over the past two weeks.
Storms are expected tonight into Friday, and some areas could pick up rain and thunder. The outlook also suggests temperatures may be close to the last 90-degree readings for a while.
Rain and thunder ahead
Forecasters are watching a system that could move through late Thursday and into Friday. The main hope is that it delivers at least some rain to areas dealing with fast-growing drought.
The forecast also includes thunder, though the amount and placement of the heaviest showers were not detailed in the source material. Even so, the incoming weather could offer a brief break from the recent dry stretch.
Drought spreads quickly
The latest drought monitor indicates the dry conditions have expanded across Minnesota at a sharp pace. The source said the state has seen drought levels double in two weeks, underscoring how quickly conditions have changed.
That kind of rapid worsening is what forecasters describe as flash drought, when dryness builds fast over a short period. In this case, the concern is both the lack of rainfall and the speed of the change.
Cooler stretch follows
After the current heat, temperatures are expected to become more seasonable this weekend and into next week. The source said Friday may be the last 90-degree day for a while.
That would mark a noticeable shift from the recent stretch of hotter weather. For now, the forecast centers on whether the approaching storms can provide enough moisture to slow the drought trend.
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