56° and Light drizzle
MINNEAPOLIMEDIA NEWS | Heavy Rain Eases Twin Cities’ Extreme Drought, but Serious Deficits Remain
MINNEAPOLIS, MN (September 26, 2026). Recent rainfall has pulled the Twin Cities out of the extreme-drought classification, but much of the metropolitan area remains in severe drought and will require sustained precipitation to recover.
Between one and four inches of rain fell across large portions of central and southern Minnesota during the latest reporting period. Some locations in southeastern Minnesota received more than eight inches.
Sections of Scott and Dakota counties recorded more than two inches in seven days, helping improve soil moisture and remove the most severe drought designation from the metropolitan area.
The rain fell slowly enough in many locations to soak into the ground rather than immediately running into storm drains, rivers and drainage systems. That provided short-term relief for lawns, trees, farms and topsoil stressed by months of below-normal precipitation.
The improvement does not mean the drought has ended. Severe drought can continue affecting streams, groundwater, agriculture, vegetation and municipal water demand.
Long-term moisture deficits generally require multiple periods of above-normal rainfall rather than one wet week. Officials and property owners will therefore need to continue monitoring soil conditions, local water restrictions and the health of drought-stressed trees.
The September 24 U.S. Drought Monitor confirmed improvement across southeastern Minnesota and other portions of the Upper Midwest while showing drought continuing across much of the region.
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