Kim Fundingsland/MDN Rain that fell in the Minot region Tuesday night and Wednesday provided some welcome relief from increasingly dry conditions in the area.

Better some than none. Rainfall Tuesday night and Wednesday provided welcome relief for increasingly dry conditions in the Minot region and much of North Dakota.

While the recent rainfall didn’t fall in the “soaker” category, it was certainly needed. Even if it wasn’t enough of a downpour to have a significant impact, it sufficed to raise the spirits of area growers and city folks alike lamenting dry conditions. Young crops and lawns were beginning to show signs of trouble due to a lack of rain.

The amount of rainfall and where it fell varied considerably. According to the National Weather Service, Fargo received the most rain at 1.30 inches as of Wednesday morning. The totals at other reporting points were: Devils Lake 1.11, Jamestown 0.71, Grand Forks 0.61, Williston 0.52, Minot Air Force Base 0.37, Minot Airport 0.36 and Garrison 0.26.

There has been a growing concern in the Minot region about the lack of rainfall and the early onset of drought conditions. Total precipitation recorded at the Minot Airport since January, through Wednesday morning, was 1.80 inches, which is 5.15 inches below normal.

By any measure, the Minot area was fortunate to receive the recent rainfall even if it was a bit less than many desired. Today’s forecast includes only a slight chance of showers or thunderstorms. Looking ahead, there’s very little chance of precipitation early next week. Forecasters say a change from dry to wet conditions is not likely. Both the 6-10 day precipitation outlook and the 8-14 day precipitation outlook call for below to much below normal rainfall through June 27.

While the nation’s Drought Monitor notes that recent rainfall patterns across North Dakota was expected to provide some relief to an identifiable drought area, many very dry areas remain in the troublesome category. The Drought Monitor uses the term “drought” to describe areas where the moisture deficit is bad enough to have a “social, environmental or economic effect.”

Nearly all of North Dakota and most of South Dakota were classified as abnormally dry or in moderate drought earlier this month. However, the Drought Monitor also considers the dry conditions in the region to be “short-term,” meaning less than six months duration. The 3-month precipitation outlook for June, July and August anticipates a greater than average chance of exceeding normal rainfall totals for the period, particularly in the western half of the state.