Drought Information Statement for Northeast IA, Southeast MN, & Western, WI Valid October 22, 2024 Issued By: WFO La Crosse, WI Contact Information: w-arx.webmaster@noaa.gov This product will be updated Thursday, October 31, 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 Expands Further North into the Interstate 94 Corridor Drought intensity and Extent... D1 (Moderate Drought) & D2 (Severe) Drought has continued in northeast Iowa and has recently developed in southwest Wisconsin. D1 (Moderate Drought) has developed north into the Interstate 94 corridor. D0 (Abnormally Dry) north of Interstate 94. 1-Week Drought Monitor Class Change... During the past week, there were several 1-category degradations in the NWS La Crosse, WI Hydrologic Service Area (HSA). Precipitation... From October 16 through October 22, rainfall totals ranged from no rain to 0.03” near Oelwein, IA. Normally, around a ½" of an inch of rain falls during this time frame. Since mid-July, rainfall deficits range from 1 to 9”. The largest deficits (4 to 9”) are south of Interstate 90. Temperature... During the past week (October 15 to October 21), temperatures ranged from 3°F to 8°F warmer than normal. During the past month (September 18 through October 21), average temperatures ranged from 6°F to 10°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 22, fire danger was very high (fires start easily started and spread at a very high rate) in central Wisconsin. Fire danger was high (fires start easily started and spread at a high rate) in southeast Minnesota and western Wisconsin. Finally, fire danger was low (fires are not easily started) to moderate (fires start easily started and spread at a moderate rate) in northeast Iowa. In northeast Iowa, combine and other equipment fires were reported. 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 16 through October 22, rainfall totals ranged from no rain to 0.03” near Oelwein, IA. Normally, around 1/2" of an inch of rain falls during this time frame. As of the morning of October 22, rivers and stream flows range from below normal to normal in northeast Iowa, southeast Minnesota, and western Wisconsin. Agricultural Impacts... Since mid-July, soils have been gradually drying. Soils south of the Interstate 90 corridor are currently less than the 10th percentile. Fire Hazard Impacts... As of the morning of October 22, 2024, fire danger was very high (fires start easily started and spread at a very high rate) in central Wisconsin. Fire danger was high (fires start easily started and spread at a high rate) in southeast Minnesota and western Wisconsin. Finally, fire danger was low (fires are not easily started) to moderate (fires start easily started and spread at a moderate rate) in northeast Iowa. Seven Day Precipitation Forecast... From October 25 through November 1, the Weather Prediction Center (WPC) is forecasting up anywhere from a ½” to 1 ¼”. Normal precipitation is around ½” for this time period. Rapid Onset Drought Outlook... From November 2 through November 8, rapid onset drought (at least a 2-category degradation) is not expected in northeast Iowa, southeast Minnesota, or western Wisconsin. Long-Range Outlooks... From November through January, the Climate Prediction Center has an enhanced chance for warmer than normal (33-40%) in northeast Iowa and southwest Wisconsin, and equal chances of warmer-, near-, and colder-than-normal elsewhere in the Upper Mississippi River Valley. Meanwhile, there are equal chances of wetter-, near-, and drier-than-normal. Drought Outlook... The drought is expected to persist in January 2025.