State climatologist: drought outlook ‘hasn’t been this good since the spring of 2019’

Minnesota Now

An update on Minnesota’s long-lasting drought came Thursday morning and the news is looking good! For the first time since 2020, the vast majority of Minnesota is no longer in a drought at all. That news came just before Gov. Tim Walz is to announce the air quality forecast for this summer at 2 p.m.

The hope is that the lack of drought means less wildfire — and smoky air — for the next few months. The end of the drought is also a huge relief to farmers statewide. For perspective on what this report means, MPR News host Cathy Wurzer talked with state climatologist Luigi Romolo and Lindsay Pease, a professor of nutrient and water management at the University of Minnesota.