Drought Information Statement for Northeast IA, Southeast MN, & Western, WI 
Valid October 15, 2024
Issued By: WFO La Crosse, WI
Contact Information: w-arx.webmaster@noaa.gov
This product will be updated on October 24, 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.

Drought Continues to Expand South of Interstate 90

Drought intensity and Extent

D0 (Abnormally Dry) & D2 (Severe) Drought has developed or continues south of Interstate 90.

D0 (Abnormally Dry) north of Interstate 90.

During the past week, there was a 1 class degradation south of Interstate 90. 

Precipitation

From October 9 through October 15, rainfall totals ranged from no rain to 0.52” near Gilman, WI. The highest totals were mainly north of Interstate 94.

Normally, around a 1/2" of an inch of precipitation falls during this time frame.
From August 1 through October 15, rainfall totals ranged from 1.57" near Oelwein, IA to 9.67" near Caledonia, MN. This resulted in rainfall deficits from 1 to 8". The largest deficits (4 to 8") were south of Interstate 90. 

Temperature

During the past week (October 9 to October 15), temperatures ranged from near normal to 4°F warmer than normal.

During the past month (September 17 to October 16), average temperatures ranged from 1°F to 7°F warmer than normal.

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

Fire Hazard Impacts
As of the morning of October 15, fire danger was high (fires start easily started and spread at a high rate) in southeast Minnesota, and low (fires are not easily started) to moderate (fires start easily started and spread at a moderate rate) in northeast Iowa and western Wisconsin.
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 9 through October 15, rainfall totals ranged from no rain to 0.52” near Gilman, WI. The highest totals were mainly north of Interstate 94.

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

As of the morning of October 15, rivers and stream flows range from below to normal in northeast Iowa and western Wisconsin, and near normal in southeast Minnesota.

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 15, 2024, fire danger was high (fires start easily started and spread at a high rate) in southeast Minnesota, and low (fires are not easily started) to moderate (fires start easily started and spread at a moderate rate) in northeast Iowa and western Wisconsin.

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 17 through October 24, NOAA’s Weather Prediction Center (WPC) is forecasting up to a tenth of an inch north of Wisconsin 29 and in northeast Iowa and southwest Wisconsin. Elsewhere no rain is expected. Normal precipitation is around ½” for this time period.

Rapid Onset Drought Outlook

From October 25 through October 31, rapid onset drought (at least a 2-category degradation) is not expected in northeast Iowa, southeast Minnesota, and western Wisconsin.


Long-Range Outlooks

From November 2024 through January 2025, there are equal chances of below-, near-, and above-normal temperatures and precipitation.

Drought Outlook

Through the end of the year, the D1 (Moderate Drought) to D2 (Severe) Drought is expected to continue along and south of Interstate 90.