Drought Information Statement for Northeast IA, Southeast MN, & Western, WI  
Valid November 2, 2023
Issued By: WFO La Crosse, WI
Contact Information: w-arx.webmaster@noaa.gov
This product will be updated November 2, 2023 or sooner if drought conditions change significantly.  
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.weather.gov/arx/drought to see the NWS La Crosse Drought Web Page


Drought intensity and extent for NWS La Crosse, WI Hydrologic Service Area (HSA):

Northeast Iowa: Severe (D2) to extreme (D3) drought.

Southeast Minnesota: Abnormally dry (D0) to extreme (D3) drought.

Western Wisconsin: Abnormally dry (D0) to extreme (D3) drought. The drought is mainly south of Interstate 90.

Recent Change in Drought Intensity: 

During the past month, there has been a 1-category improvement along and north of Interstate 90.

Precipitation:

From October 25 through October 31, precipitation totals was 200 to 300% of normal along and just north of the Interstate 90 corridor.

This resulted in a 1-category improvement in the drought situation north of Interstate 90.

Temperature:

During the past month (October 4 through November 2), temperatures have ranged from near-normal to 3°F warmer than normal.

Summary of Impacts:

Hydrologic Impacts... 

Flows ranged from below to near-normal in northeast Iowa and southeast Minnesota.

Agricultural Impacts...

There are some reports of some producers selling livestock due to a lack of water and having to feed hay.

Fire Hazard Impacts...

Low fire danger continues in southeast Minnesota & western Wisconsin.

Mitigation Actions...

A drought task force has been activated in Wisconsin.
In Iowa, CRP land was opened for emergency haying and grazing.
No known actions are currently taking place at this time in Minnesota.

Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts:

From October 25 through October 31, rainfall totals were highly variable. It ranged from 0.20" at Charles City, IA to 7.18" at Black River Falls, WI. 

The heaviest rainband ranged from 3 to 7" across Winona County (MN), and Buffalo, Trempealeau, Jackson, and southern Clark counties in Wisconsin. 

During this time period, typically a half-inch of rain falls. This resulted in a 1-category improvement in the drought situation north of Interstate 90.

Flows ranged from below to near-normal in northeast Iowa and southeast Minnesota.

Agricultural Impacts:

Due to more demand and very poor growing conditions, hay prices dramatically rose this summer & autumn.
There are some reports of some producers selling livestock due to a lack of water and having to feed hay.

Fire Hazard Impacts as of October 31, 

Southeast Minnesota & Western Wisconsin: Low fire danger 

Seven Day Precipitation Forecast:
From November 2 through November 8, the Weather Prediction Center (WPC) is forecasting up to a half inch. The highest totals are forecast in western Wisconsin.

Normal rainfall is around 4-tenths of an inch for this time period.

Rapid Onset Drought Outlook:

With temperatures and precipitation near normal, rapid onset drought (at least a 2 category degradation) is not expected in the area from November 11 through November 17.

Long-Range Outlooks:

From November through January, there is enhanced chances for warmer-than-normal temperatures.

Meanwhile, there are equal chances of above-, near-, and below-normal precipitation.

Drought Outlook:

According to the latest U.S. Seasonal Drought Outlook (October 31 through January 31), the drought is expected to improve or end across the La Crosse Hydrologic Service Area (HSA).