Drought Information Statement for Northeast IA, Southeast MN, & Western, WI 
Valid October 8, 2024
Issued By: WFO La Crosse, WI
Contact Information: w-arx.webmaster@noaa.gov
This product will be updated on October 17, 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.

Severe (D2) Drought Develops in Northeast Iowa


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


Drought intensity and Extent

D0 (Abnormally Dry) & D2 (Severe) Drought has developed in northeast Iowa.

D0 (Abnormally Dry) & D1 (Moderate Drought) along Interstate 90.

D0 (Abnormally Dry) north of Interstate 90.

Recent Change in Drought Intensity

During the past week, there was either no change or a 1 class degradation in the drought. 

Precipitation
From October 2 through October 8, rainfall totals ranged from no rain to 0.33” at Trempealeau Dam 6, WI (COOP). 

Normally, around a 1/2" of an inch of precipitation falls during this time frame. From August 10 through October 8 (last 60 days), rainfall totals ranged from 1.24" at Oelwein, IA to 7.72" near Ettrick, WI. This resulted in rainfall deficits from 2 to 5".

Temperature
During the past week (October 2 to October 8), temperatures ranged from near normal to 4°F warmer than normal.

During the past month (September 9 to October 8), average temperatures ranged from 4°F to 8°F warmer than normal.

Summary of Impacts

Hydrologic Impacts 
There are no known impacts at this time.

Agricultural Impacts
In northeast Iowa, livestock water resources continue to be a concern.

Fire Hazard Impacts
As of the morning of October 9, fire danger was high (fires start easily started and spread at a high rate) in southeast Minnesota, moderate (fires start easily started and spread at a moderate rate) to high from southwest into central Wisconsin, and low (fires are not easily started) in northeast Iowa.
In northeast Iowa, combine and other equipment fires were reported as weather conditions increased the risk of such fires.

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 October 2 through October 8, rainfall totals ranged from no rain to 0.33” at Trempealeau Dam 6, WI (COOP). 

Normally, around 1/2" of an inch of rain falls  during this time frame.  

As of the morning of October 9, rivers and stream flows range from much-below to normal in western Wisconsin, from below to near normal in southeast Minnesota, and near normal in northeast Iowa.
Image Caption: USGS 7 day average streamflow 
HUC map valid October 9, 2024.

Agricultural Impacts
Since mid-July, soils have been gradually drying across the La Crosse Hydrologic Service Area (HSA).

Fire Hazard Impacts
As of the morning of October 9, 2024, fire danger was high (fires start easily started and spread at a high rate) in southeast Minnesota, moderate (fires start easily started and spread at a moderate rate) to high from southwest into central Wisconsin, and low (fires are not easily started) in northeast Iowa.

In northeast Iowa, combine and other equipment fires were reported as weather conditions increased the risk of such fires.

Seven Day Precipitation Forecast

From October 10 through October 17, NOAA’s Weather Prediction Center (WPC) is forecasting up to a 1/2" of precipitation. The greatest totals (1/4” to 1/2") will be found along and north of Interstate 94. Normal precipitation is around 1/2” for this time period.

Rapid Onset Drought Outlook

From October 18 through October 24, 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) to D2 (Severe) Drought is expected to improve along and south of Interstate 90.