Rainfall has been quite scarce this month across much of northeast Minnesota and northwest Wisconsin, with totals generally around an inch. Duluth and Hibbing haven’t even reached an inch of rain for the entire month of August up to the 28th.
Rainfall totals in northeast Minnesota and northwest Wisconsin for August 2025 have been 1 to 2 inches or more below normal as of the 28th.
Duluth, MN: -2.42″ below normal
Hibbing, MN: -1.80″ below normal
Brainerd, MN: -1.43″ below normal
International Falls, MN: -1.38″ below normal
Ashland, WI: -1.32″ below normal
As of now, August 2025 is shaping up to be the fifth driest August on record in Duluth, with only 0.94 inches of rain. The driest August ever recorded was back in 1930, with just 0.29 inches of rain.
Hibbing, Minnesota is heading toward its 4th driest August ever, with just 0.97 inches of rain recorded so far. The driest August on record was in 2007, with only 0.26 inches of rainfall. Interestingly, last month (July 2025), Hibbing saw its 7th wettest July on record, receiving 7.22 inches of rain.
This summer has been generally wetter across parts of the Northland, but a dry spell has persisted around the Twin Ports area. Meanwhile, some areas in far southern Minnesota have seen over 20 inches of rain since June 1st.
Since June 1, 2025, Duluth has received 4.04 inches less rainfall than normal, while International Falls is faring better with a precipitation surplus of 0.63 inches above average.
A map showing precipitation anomalies for the summer of 2025.
Yellow regions indicate drier than normal conditions, while darker green and blue regions signify wetter than normal conditions.
The soil moisture data from August 28, 2025, highlights drier areas shown in yellow, orange, and red on the map, while blue regions indicate higher soil moisture levels.
While some parts of the Northland have received plenty of rain this summer, a small area centered around Duluth has experienced significantly below-normal rainfall. As a result, there is an abnormally dry region (marked in yellow on the map) stretching from Duluth to Moose Lake and Willow River.
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