Drought Information Statement for Northeast IA, Southeast MN, & Western, WI 
Valid May 23, 2024
Issued By: WFO La Crosse, WI
Contact Information: w-arx.webmaster@noaa.gov
This product will be updated May 30, 2024 or sooner if drought conditions change significantly.  
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.
D2 (Severe Drought) was removed in northeast Iowa and southwest Wisconsin.
1

U.S. Drought Monitor
Link to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor for Upper Midwest


Drought intensity and Extent

D0 (Abnormally Dry) to D1 (Moderate Drought) along and south of Interstate 90. During the past week, there was a 1-category improvement in the drought for southern half of the NWS La Crosse, WI Hydrologic Service Area (HSA). There is no longer severe (D2) drought in northeast Iowa and southwest Wisconsin.

Precipitation
From May 14 through May 21, rainfall totals ranged from 0.25" near Theilman, MN to 3.91" near Oelwein, IA. Normally, around 1" of precipitation falls during this period.
The heaviest rainfall fell in the abnormally dry (D0) and drought areas.

Temperature
During the past week (May 15 through May 21), maximum temperatures ranged from 6°F to 10°F warmer than normal to normal.

During the past month (April 22 through May 21), maximum temperatures ranged from 1°F 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
There are no known impacts at this time.

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 May 14 through May 21, rainfall totals ranged from 0.25" near Theilman, MN to 3.91" near Oelwein, IA. Normally, around 1" of precipitation falls during this period. 

The heaviest rainfall fell in the abnormally dry (D0) and drought areas. There has been enough precipitation this spring and year to alleviate the severe (D2) drought south of Interstate 90.

As of the morning of May 22, rivers and stream flows range from normal to much above normal in southeast Minnesota, and from central to western Wisconsin, and much above normal in northeast Iowa.

Agricultural Impacts
Due to precipitation during the past 2 to 3 months, top soil moisture has become wetter than normal across much of the La Crosse Hydrologic Service Area.

Fire Hazard Impacts
As of the morning of May 22, 2024, fire danger was low (fires are not easily started) fire danger in northeast Iowa, southeast Minnesota, and from southwest into central Wisconsin. 

Seven Day Precipitation Forecast
From May 23 through May 30, the Weather Prediction Center (WPC) is forecasting 0.75” to 3” across the area. Normal precipitation is around 1.2” for this time period.

Rapid Onset Drought Outlook

From May 31 through June 6, rapid onset drought (at least a 2-category degradation) is not expected.

Long-Range Outlooks

From June through August, there is enhanced chances for warmer-than-normal temperatures. Meanwhile, there are equal chances of wetter-, near-, and drier-than-normal.

Drought Outlook

According to the latest U.S. Seasonal Drought Outlook (May 16 through August 31), the drought is expected to improve along and south of Interstate 90.