Although there are some parts of the area that have received adequate rainfall this year (even a spot or two with too much) about one-half of the area has been quite dry. Fargo/Moorhead is one of these spots. As of June 19, Fargo has received 6.19" of rain for the year so far with the average being 8.73". So in other words we are about 2.5" below average. With the area being in a wet cycle for the past decade plus, this is one of the drier spells we’ve seen in a while.

To show you how dry this year has been (or how wet last year was), last year through the 19th of June we had 6.64" in June alone (with more to come), we’ve had less than that for the entire year so far.

It only takes a thunderstorm or two to change things around pretty fast. We’re eventually going to have a dry summer, maybe this is the year, or the pattern will shift and we’ll be wishing for it too be dry again. The "joys" in living in the Red River Valley, you never know what Mother Nature has in store for us from season to season.

Anyway, if you would like a nice rainfall in your area, you’re not alone.

After a chilly start, the second half of May turned a cold month into a warm one.  May finished 3.2 degrees above average.  That’s after starting off about 3 to 4 degrees below average for the first half of the month.  Of course the 97 degree high on the 28th by itself added nearly one degree to the monthly average!  Anyway, after 5 straight below average Mays, May of 2006 ended the streak.

Precipitation wise, Fargo/Moorhead ended up with 1.99" which is about one-half inch below average.  Fargo/Moorhead is now over one inch below average for the year.  Last year we were a "touch dry" to this point as well, but we finished with one of the wettest years on record.  Around here, one or two thunderstorms makes a world of difference in yearly, let alone, monthly precipitation totals.

June 1st also marks the beginning of the Summer Season.  Spring 2006 (March, April, May) finished above average temperature-wise and below average for precipitation.