Drought Information Statement for Northeast IA, Southeast MN, & Western, WI 
Valid October 29, 2024
Issued By: WFO La Crosse, WI
Contact Information: w-arx.webmaster@noaa.gov
This product will be updated Thursday, November 7, 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 across the Remainder of the La Crosse Hydrologic Service Area

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


Drought intensity and Extent

D1 (Moderate Drought) & D2 (Severe) Drought continues across northeast Iowa, southeast Minnesota, and along and south of Interstate 94 in Wisconsin.

D1 (Moderate Drought) has developed north of Interstate 94 corridor in Wisconsin.

Recent Change in Drought Intensity

During the past week, there was a 1-category degradation across parts of northeast Iowa, southeast Minnesota, and north of Interstate 94 in Wisconsin.

Precipitation

From October 23 through October 29, rainfall totals ranged from no rain to 0.59” near Lime Springs, IA. 

Normally, around a 4/10" of an inch of precipitation falls during this time frame. 

From July 31 through October 29 (past 90 days), rainfall totals ranged from 1.57" near Oelwein, IA to 9.97" near Winona, MN. This resulted in rainfall deficits from 1 to 9". The largest deficits (4 to 9") were south of Interstate 94.

Temperature

During the past week (October 23 to October 29), temperatures ranged from 4°F to 10°F warmer than normal.

During the past month (September 29 through October 29), average temperatures ranged from 2°F to 7°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 29, fire danger was very high (fires start easily started and spread at a very high rate) in Adams County 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 high in northeast Iowa.
In northeast Iowa, combine and other equipment fires continue to be 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 23 through October 29, rainfall totals ranged from no rain to 0.59” near Lime Springs, IA. Normally, around 4/10" of an inch of rain falls during this time frame.  

As of the morning of October 29, rivers and stream flows range from much below normal to normal in northeast Iowa and southwest Wisconsin, and near normal in southeast Minnesota and in west-central, central, and north-central 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 29, 2024, fire danger was very high (fires start easily started and spread at a very high rate) in Adams County 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 high in northeast Iowa. 

Seven Day Precipitation Forecast

From November 2 through November 9, the Weather Prediction Center (WPC) is forecasting anywhere from a 1” to 5”. Normal precipitation is around 1/2” for this time period.

Rapid Onset Drought Outlook

From November 9 through November 15, 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 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 either improve or end through the end of January 31, 2025.