MPR’s Riham Feshir reports on how a heat wave has added to the intensity of extreme drought encompassing much of Minnesota. Feshir interviews various officials about coping in the dry and hot weather.

Dry conditions in 2020 set up a scenario for a major drought in Minnesota during 2021, as persistent moisture deficits combined with above-normal temperatures across the state. Some areas saw the most severe drought situations in 40 years. By mid-August, 8% of the state was designated in Exceptional Drought, and an additional 42% of the state was in Extreme Drought.