Drought Information Statement for Northeast IA, Southeast MN, & Western, WI 
Valid October 1, 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

There was a 1-class deterioration from D0 (Abnormally Dry) to D1 (Moderate Drought) in Dodge, Olmsted, and Wabasha counties in southeast Minnesota.

D0 (Abnormally Dry) was added or expanded north of Interstate 90 in Wisconsin.

Precipitation

From September 25 through October 1, most areas received no rain. The greatest rain total was 0.01” near Muscoda, WI; Waltham, MN; and Winona, MN.
Normally, around 3/4" 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 8”. 

Temperature

During the past week (September 25 to October 1), average temperatures ranged from 5°F to 10°F warmer than normal.

During the past month (September 1 through October 1), average temperatures ranged from 2°F to 5°F warmer than normal.

Rochester had their 4th warmest September & La Crosse had their 8th warmest September

Summary of Impacts

Hydrologic Impacts 
A few rivers & streams are running lower than normal.

Agricultural Impacts
Some producers in Iowa and Minnesota have had to begin hauling water to cattle. Topsoil & subsoil moisture continue to decline. Harvesting is occurring 2 to 4 days ahead of the 5-year average. Finally, there has been a few combine fires. 

Fire Hazard Impacts
There is moderate to high fire danger in southeast Minnesota, moderate fire danger in 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 25 through October 1, most areas received no rain. The greatest rain total was 0.01” near Muscoda, WI; Waltham, MN; and Winona, MN.

Normally, around 3/4" 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 8”. 

As of the morning of October 2, most rivers and stream flows were near-normal. A few rivers were running lower than normal. This includes Bloody Run Creek near Marquette, IA (29% of normal) & the Yellow River at Necedah, WI (45% of normal).

Agricultural Impacts

Since mid-July, soils have been gradually drying along and south of Interstate 90. Some producers in Iowa and Minnesota have had to begin hauling water to cattle. Topsoil & subsoil moisture continue to decline. 

Fire Hazard Impacts

As of the morning of October 1, 2024, there was moderate to high (fires spread at a moderate to high rate) fire danger in southeast Minnesota, moderate fire danger (fires spread at a moderate rate) in western Wisconsin, and low (fires spread at a low rate) fire danger in northeast Iowa.

Seven Day Precipitation Forecast

From October 4 through October 11, NOAA’s Weather Prediction Center (WPC) is forecasting up to a quarter inch of measurable rain for northeast Iowa, southeast Minnesota, and western Wisconsin.

Normal precipitation is around 0.7” for this time period.

Rapid Onset Drought Outlook

From October 11 through October 17, 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 2024, there are equal chances for warmer-, near-, and colder-than-normal temperatures.

The odds have been shifted slightly toward wetter than normal in north-central & central Wisconsin. Meanwhile, there are equal chances of wetter-, near-, and drier-than-normal elsewhere.

Drought Outlook

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