Drought Information Statement for Northeast IA, Southeast MN, & Western, WI Valid February 4, 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. Drought & Dryness Expands Drought intensity and extent... Moderate Drought (D1) conditions has developed in northeast Iowa and southeast Minnesota. Abnormally Dry (D0) & Moderate Drought (D1) conditions have expanded in western Wisconsin. Recent Change in Drought Intensity... During the past month, there was a 1-category deterioration in the drought across much of northeast Iowa and southeast Minnesota, and parts of southwest and central Wisconsin. Precipitation... The dryness and warmer-than-normal temperatures from autumn continued into meteorological winter. From December through early February, precipitation totals ranged from 1.09" near Stewartville, MN to 2.46" near Warrens, WI. Precipitation anomalies ranged from near to 3" drier than normal. Temperature... Since December 1, temperatures anomalies 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 February 4, fire danger was moderate (fires start easily and spread at a moderate rate) in north-central Iowa and south of Interstate 90 in Wisconsin. Meanwhile, fire danger remained low (fires are not easily started) in northeast Iowa, southeast Minnesota, and 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. During this same time period, temperatures anomalies ranged from 3 to 5°F warmer than normal. This dryness and warmer-than-normal temperatures continued into meteorological winter. From December through early February, precipitation totals ranged from 1.09" near Stewartville, MN to 2.46" near Warrens, WI. Precipitation anomalies ranged from near normal to 3" drier than normal. Temperatures anomalies ranged from near normal to 3°F warmer than normal. As of the morning of February 6, 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 February 4, 2025, fire danger was moderate (fires start easily and spread at a moderate rate) in north-central Iowa and south of Interstate 90 in Wisconsin. Meanwhile, fire danger remained low (fires are not easily started) in northeast Iowa, southeast Minnesota and north of Interstate 90 in Wisconsin. Seven Day Precipitation Forecast... From February 7 through February 14, the Weather Prediction Center (WPC) is forecasting a 1/4” to a 1/2” of precipitation north of Interstate 90 and less than a quarter inch for the remainder of the area. Normal precipitation is around 1/4” for this time period. Rapid Onset Drought Outlook... Links to the latest Climate Prediction Center 8 to 14 day Temperature Outlook and Precipitation Outlook. From February 15 through February 21, 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.