September had a major rain event in mid-month, but continued the dry conditions since the start of July. September rainfall in St. Cloud was 1.87 inches, 1.59 inches short of the September average. The rain shortfall spans the months of July, August, and September. During that three-month period, St. Cloud has had only 4.15 inches, the sixth lowest total for July through September. Overall, St. Cloud is 6.41 inches short of rain since the start of July. Last year's June-October shortfall was worse (9.08 inches below average), but the past three months ranks as the second worst in this series of dry spells during the growing season, which has involved 5 of the past 6 years.

The result of the rain shortage is statewide topsoil that ranks as being short of moisture over 60% of Minnesota. About two-thirds of the sub-surface moisture is ranked as being short. The low water supply has led the upper portion of the Mississippi River to rank among the 10 percent of lowest stream height, according to both the USGS Minnesota River Gauge Network and the Minnesota DNR map. The worst conditions are from Brainerd and Aitkin upstream past Leech Lake and Grand Rapids.

The water level at the Mississippi River level below the University Bridge dam is only 4.4 feet. The three lowest river stages at that dam begin at 3.76 feet. The Sauk River at Rivers Edge Park in Waite Park is only at 1.6 feet. The record low is 0.05 feet in 1936.

However, the first major rainfall since the heavy rains ended in June developed on September 14. The 1.23 inches that fell on that day was more than a quarter of the precipitation over the past 3 months. There was, in addition, some major September rainfall in west central Minnesota and along the Canadian border. The rain to our north eased the drought conditions defined in the US Drought Monitor to the north of Little Falls, Milke Lacs Lake and Detroit Lakes.

The rest of the southern two-thirds of Minnesota and a good chunk of northwestern Minnesota still have drought conditions. The conditions are worse across central Minnesota from Willmar and Litchfield through nearly all of Stearns County, Annandale, Clearwater, Clear Lake and to Foley and Milaca. The biggest rain shortfalls are now along the Iowa border and especially in southeastern Minnesota in counties bordering the Mississippi. These areas are as much as 7-10 inches short of rain since the last week of June.

Temperature-wise, September was a roller coaster month with cooler than average weather during the first week of the month, and during September 13-21 (first 30-degree low since May; 6 days with highs in the 60's). However, this was balanced by a hot period in early September (2 90-degree highs, 4 lows of at least 60) and more warmth over the last 10 days of the month. Overall, September 2013 ranks as tied for the 17th warmest September on record (62.9°F). While there have been 4 warmer Septembers in the past 15 years, 2009 (63.3°F), 2005 (63.2°F), 2004 (64.1°F), 1998 (62.9°F), the other 14 warmer Septembers were earlier than 1948. Record warm temperatures were set twice on September 28 (record warm low of 65, record warm average of 73).

The first few days of October will continue the warmer than average weather that finished September. However, a major West Coast storm has the potential to produce widespread significant rain during Thursday through Saturday. This storm will push into the southwestern US by mid-week, then push northeastward rapidly by Friday. That will really pull a lot of Gulf of Mexico moisture into this storm, so there will be the potential for another half inch, inch, or even more rainfall over at least parts of Minnesota during the end of the week. It's still a bit early in the week to be sure about the late week, but it will have the potential of widespread rain.

    September 2013 Statistics