Wet Weather Puts Northwest Suburbs Above Normal Precipitation for Year
While some may be tired of all the rain, this week’s wet weather has put a dent into the recent drought.
Local weather statistics show the Twin Cities northwest suburbs are now above normal precipitation for the year. Historical average precipitation for the area to this date is 30.19 inches. This year so far, as measured at 10 a.m Friday, the precipitation total stood at 31.16 inches.
New Hope weather observer Steve Reckers records local data for the National Weather Service.
“We’ve had three years where we were really dry,” said Reckers. “More than than likely we’ll exceed above normal for the year unless it really dries out.”
From 2020 through 2022, the seasons produced abnormally low precipitation. May through August of this year was also below normal rainfall – about 9 inches less than usual.
“Those are normally the wettest months of the year,” said Reckers.
Drought Conditions as seen in 2021
The average precipitation for any given year is 34.91 inches. Precipitation totals for recent years are as follows:
| Year | Total Precipitation | Comparison |
| 2020 | 27.67″ | 7.24″ below normal |
| 2021 | 27.80″ | 7.11″ below normal |
| 2022 | 25.15″ | 9.76″ below normal |
And while this month’s rainfall has helped considerably, the ground could still use more rain. Since 2020, the local area has been in a moisture deficit of about 24 inches of precipitation.
