Lack of snow raises drought concerns

Most of Minnesota has seen very little snow this year. According to the National Weather Service the central part of the state has had the worst deficit this season, several feet behind normal. The metro area isn?t far behind.

Byron Paulson of the National Weather Service says, "We've had about 12.1 inches we've measured here in the Twin Cities so far this year and we should have near 40 at this point and by the end of the season 55-55 inches."

The Department of Natural Resources is already concerned about wildfires. Anderson Cover, near Walker Minnesota, already had a wildfire this January. Less snow pack means more ground grass to fuel fires and the cold weather means they can?t use airpower to knock them down.

Olin Phillips, with the Minnesota DNR says, "I think with the potential of the temperatures in the 30's that we're seeing next week and bright sunshine we could start to see fires by the end of the week."

If the drought continues through spring it will ignite other concerns about lake levels, farmers, and especially for the BWCA,

Check out our KARE family of Web sites:
	takeKARE		Metromix
	Moms Like Me		Minnesota Bound
	Showcase Minnesota