Drought Information Statement for Northeast IA, Southeast MN, & Western, WI 
Valid September 24, 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.

Moderate Drought (D1) continues along and south of Interstate 90 

Drought intensity and Extent

D0 (Abnormally Dry) & D1 (Moderate Drought) continues along and south of Interstate 90.

Recent Change in Drought Intensity

During the past week, there was a 1-category improvement in the drought situation in west-central and parts of southwest Wisconsin and northeast Iowa. 

Precipitation

From September 18 through September 24, rainfall totals ranged from 0.02” at New Hampton, IA (COOP) to 3.52” at Sparta Fort McCoy Airport, WI (ASOS). Normally, around 9/10" of an inch of rain falls  during this time frame. Since mid-July, areas along and south of Interstate 90 have seen rainfall deficits anywhere from 2 to 7”. 

Temperature
During the past week (September 16 to September 22), temperatures ranged from 8°F to 10°F warmer than normal to normal.

During the past month (August 24 through September 22), average temperatures ranged from 3°F to 6°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 is moderate fire danger in southeast Minnesota and western Wisconsin and low fire danger in northeast Iowa.

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 18 through September 24, rainfall totals ranged from 0.02” at New Hampton, IA (COOP) to 3.52” at Sparta Fort McCoy Airport, WI (ASOS).
Normally, around 9/10" of an inch of rain falls  during this time frame.  

As of the morning of September 24, rivers and stream flows range from below normal to normal in northeast Iowa and, southeast Minnesota, and from below normal to above normal in western Wisconsin.

Agricultural Impacts

Since mid-July, soils have been gradually drying along and south of Interstate 90.

Fire Hazard Impacts

As of the morning of September 24, 2024, there was moderate (fires spread at a moderate rate) fire danger in southeast Minnesota and western Wisconsin, and low (fires spread at a low rate) fire danger in northeast Iowa.

Seven Day Precipitation Forecast

From September 26 through October 3, NOAA’s Weather Prediction Center (WPC) is forecasting no measurable rain for northeast Iowa, southeast Minnesota, and western Wisconsin. Normal precipitation is around 0.9” for this time period.

Rapid Onset Drought Outlook

From October 4 through October 10, rapid onset drought (at least a 2-category degradation) is not expected in northeast Iowa, southeast Minnesota, and western Wisconsin.

Long-Range Outlooks

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

Drought Outlook

Through the end of the year, the D1 (Moderate Drought) is expected to improve along and south of Interstate 90.