Drought Information Statement for Northeast IA, Southeast MN, & Western, WI 
Valid January 16, 2025
Issued By: WFO La Crosse, WI
Contact Information: w-arx.webmaster@noaa.gov
This product will be updated Thursday, February 20, 2024.   
Please see all currently available products at https://drought.gov/drought-information-statements.
Please visit https://www.weather.gov/ARX/DroughtInformationStatement for previous statements. 
Please visit https://www.drought.gov/drought-status-updates/ for regional drought status updates.

...Some Improvements in the Drought... 

Drought intensity and extent

D0 (Abnormally Dry) and D1 (Moderate Drought) conditions exist across parts of northeast Iowa and in Taylor County in north-central Wisconsin. 
D0 (Abnormally Dry) conditions exist elsewhere.

During the past month, there was a 1-category improvement in parts of northeast Iowa, southeast Minnesota, and in west-central Wisconsin.

Precipitation
From September 1 through November 30 (meteorological autumn), precipitation totals ranged from 3.58" near Oelwein, IA to 11.16" near Hillsboro, WI. Precipitation anomalies ranged from 4" drier than normal to 1" wetter than normal. Over the past 30 days, precipitation anomalies have ranged from normal to 1/2” wetter than normal.

Temperature
During meteorological autumn, temperatures anomalies ranged from 3 to 5°F warmer than normal. Over the past 30-days, temperatures have ranged from near-normal to 3°F warmer than normal.

Summary of Impacts

Hydrologic Impacts 
There are no known impacts at this time.

Agricultural Impacts
There are no known impacts at this time.

Fire Hazard Impacts
As of the morning of January 16, fire danger was moderate (fires start easily and spread at a moderate rate) in northeast Iowa, southeast Minnesota, and south of Interstate 90 in Wisconsin. Meanwhile, fire danger remained low (fires are not easily started) north of Interstate 90 in Wisconsin.

Other Impacts
There are no known impacts at this time.

Mitigation Actions
No known actions are taking place in northeast Iowa, southeast Minnesota, and western Wisconsin.

Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts
From September 1 through November 30 (meteorological autumn), precipitation totals ranged from 3.58" near Oelwein, IA to 11.16" near Hillsboro, WI. Precipitation anomalies ranged from 4" drier than normal to 1" wetter than normal. Over the past 30 days, precipitation anomalies have ranged from normal to ½” wetter than normal.

As of the morning of January 16, rivers and stream flows were near normal in northeast Iowa, southeast Minnesota, and from southwest into central Wisconsin.

Fire Hazard Impacts
As of the morning of January 16, 2025, fire danger was moderate (fires start easily and spread at a moderate rate) in northeast Iowa, southeast Minnesota, and south of Interstate 90 in Wisconsin. Meanwhile, fire danger remained low (fires are not easily started) north of Interstate 90 in Wisconsin. 

Seven Day Precipitation Forecast
From January 16 through January 23, the Weather Prediction Center (WPC) is forecasting little to no precipitation. Normal precipitation is around 2/10” for this time period.

Rapid Onset Drought Outlook

From January 24 through January 30, rapid onset drought (at least a 2-category degradation) is not expected in northeast Iowa, southeast Minnesota, and from southwest into central Wisconsin.

Long-Range Outlooks

From February through April, the Climate Prediction Center (CPC) has equal chances of warmer-, near-, and colder-than-normal for the Upper Mississippi River Valley. The odds are tilted to wetter-than-normal (33 to 40%) in the Upper Mississippi River Valley.

Drought Outlook

The drought is expected to either improve or end by the end of April.