National Climatic Data Center, 15 May 2003

Surface water levels in some northern Minnesota counties were well below historical values at the end of April 2003. This can be attributed to precipitation deficits that have accrued over a 6-month period across most of Minnesota, and a 16-month period of dryness in north central and northeastern Minnesota, as well as scattered areas in the south.

Map: Total precipitation departure from normal, Nov 1, 2002-Apr 28, 2003

Map: Precipitation ranking, Nov 1, 2002-Apr 28, 2003