Drought Information Statement for Northeast IA, Southeast MN, & Western, WI 
Valid May 30, 2024
Issued By: WFO La Crosse, WI
Contact Information: w-arx.webmaster@noaa.gov
This product will be updated drought conditions are developing in the area.  
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.
The 2023-24 Drought Comes to an End
1

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


Drought intensity and Extent

D0 (Abnormally Dry) along and south of Interstate 90. This remains due to the large deficits in the 6 month to 1 year time span.

Recent Change in Drought Intensity 

During the past week, there was a 1-category improvement in the drought across the southern half of the NWS La Crosse, WI Hydrologic Service Area (HSA). There is no longer drought anywhere in the La Crosse Hydrologic Service Area.

Precipitation
From May 22 through May 28, rainfall totals ranged from 0.68" at the Winona Municipal Max Conrad Field Airport to 6" near Necedah. 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 22 through May 28), maximum temperatures ranged from 1°F to 6°F warmer than normal to normal. During the past month (April 29 through May 28), maximum temperatures ranged from 1°F to 4°F warmer than normal.

Summary of Impacts
Links: See/submit Condition Monitoring Observer Reports (CMOR) and view the Drought Impacts Reporter
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 22 through May 28, rainfall totals ranged from 0.68" at the Winona Municipal Max Conrad Field Airport to 6" near Necedah. 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 to alleviate the drought along and south of Interstate 90. There is no longer any drought in the La Crosse Hydrologic Service Area.

As of the morning of May 28, rivers and stream flows range from normal to much above normal in northeast Iowa, southeast Minnesota, and from central to western Wisconsin.

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 28, 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 30 through June 6, the Weather Prediction Center (WPC) is forecasting 0.75” to 2” across the area. Normal precipitation is around 1.2” for this time period.

Rapid Onset Drought Outlook

From June 7 through June 13, 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 was expected to improve along and south of Interstate 90, and it did. With the above-normal rain during the past 2 weeks and this spring, the drought ended across  La Crosse Hydrologic Service Area in late May.