National Weather Service United States Department of Commerce

Key Points:

  • Severe Drought (D2) continues generally north and east of a line from Lac Du Flambeau to Rhinelander to east of Merrill to Green Bay to Two Creeks.

  • Moderate Drought (D1) expanded across the central and east-central WI before the heavy rains arrived on October 30-31, generally south and west of a line from Lac Du Flambeau to Rhinelander to east of Merrill to Green Bay to Two Creeks. 

  • The heavy rainfall across central and portions of northeast Wisconsin will be factored in with the next issuance of the Drought Monitor on November 7th around 7 AM CST.     

  • The Climate Prediction Center 8-14 Day Outlook and Weeks 3-4 Outlook favors warmer and drier than normal conditions. 

Discussion:

After a very wet start to the summer, drier than normal conditions returned in August to portions of northeast Wisconsin. Locations north of Green Bay missed out on the heavy rainfall during August. The dry weather expanded across much of the area with many locations receiving between 0.50 to 1.50 inches during September, although some totals across central Wisconsin were close to 3 inches. Rainfall for September was around 20% of normal at Oconto and Washington Island. In matter of fact, the rainfall total at Washington Island for August and September was only 16% of the long term normal rainfall. 

September ended at most locations as one of the top ten warmest Septembers on record with an average temperature from three to five degrees above normal. The warm and dry conditions have continued through most of October, with Severe Drought (D2) and Moderate Drought (D1) expanding west and southward into north-central and portions of east-central Wisconsin. The drier than normal weather continued through much of October, with a heavy rainfall between 1 and 3 inches across central into portions of northeast Wisconsin on October 30-31. Some improvement in the drought conditions are expected in this region with the next issuance of the Drought Monitor around 7 am CST on November 7th.   

 

View the latest Drought Information Slides and Drought Text Statement for northeast Wisconsin for more detailed information. Drought statements for other areas here.

 

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