SE Minnesota Welcomes Much-Needed Rain
La Crosse, WI (KROC AM News) - Southeast Minnesota received some beneficial and much-needed rain Friday morning from a storm system that sped across the region at speeds as high as 60 mph.
Rainfall totals generally ranged from a third of an inch to around an inch.
Totals in Olmsted County included more than half an inch at the Rochester airport to nearly an inch near Elgin.
The National Weather Service is reporting much heavier rain fell in areas between La Crosse and Wisconsin Dells. Totals included 5 inches in Tomah and 8.6 inches in New Lisbon.
The rain may have helped dent the drought conditions that have developed in SE Minnesota in recent weeks. Moderate drought conditions are now being reported in Fillmore, Houston and Winona counties, half of Olmsted County and parts of Mower and Wabasha counties.
Less than half an inch of rain has fallen in most areas in the past two weeks. Rochester had received 1.5 inches through Thursday and the monthly moisture deficit had grown to 2.5 inches.
The dry weather has turned lawns brown and some trees are prematurely losing their leaves due to the lack of rain.
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