Drought Information Statement for Northeast IA, Southeast MN, & Western, WI 
Valid November 5, 2024
Issued By: WFO La Crosse, WI
Contact Information: w-arx.webmaster@noaa.gov
This product will be updated Thursday, November 14, 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.

Rains Improve the Drought Situation

Drought intensity and Extent

D0 (Abnormally Dry) conditions exist across much of southwest and central Wisconsin.

D1 (Moderate Drought) conditions exist across northeast Iowa, southeast Minnesota, and in southern Grant County and northern Taylor County in western Wisconsin.

Recent Change in Drought Intensity

During the past week, there was a 1-category improvement from northeast Iowa and southwest Wisconsin northeast in north-central and central Wisconsin.

Precipitation

From August 7 through November 5 (past 90 days), rainfall totals ranged from 3.40" near Rochester, MN to 10.57" near Prairie du Chien, WI. This resulted in rainfall deficits from 1 to 7". The largest deficits (3 to 7") were in southeast Minnesota.

Temperature

During the past week (October 29 to November 3), temperatures ranged from 8°F to 10°F warmer than normal.

During the past month (October 4 through November 3), 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
There are no known impacts at this time.

Fire Hazard Impacts
As of the morning of November 5, fire danger was low (fires are not easily started) in northeast Iowa, southeast Minnesota, and from southwest into central Wisconsin.

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

During the past week (October 30 through November 5), rainfall totals north of Interstate 90 ranged from 1 to 3" and from 3 to nearly 6" across the remainder of the area.

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

This heavy rain resulted in a 1 category improvement in the drought in northeast Iowa, southeast Minnesota and much of western Wisconsin.

As of the morning of November 5, rivers and stream flows range from near to above normal in northeast Iowa and southeast Minnesota, and from near normal to much above-normal from southwest into central Wisconsin.

Agricultural Impacts

Since mid-July, soils gradually dried. These soils continued to dry through October. During the past week, there has been some improvement in the top and sub-moisture content which has resulted in a 1-category improvement in the drought.

Fire Hazard Impacts

As of the morning of November 5, 2024, fire danger was low (fires are not easily started) in northeast Iowa, southeast Minnesota, and from southwest into central Wisconsin.

Seven Day Precipitation Forecast

From November 7 through November 14, the Weather Prediction Center (WPC) is forecasting anywhere from a 1/4” to 1 3/4”. The highest totals (3/4” to 1 3/4”) are in western Wisconsin. Normal precipitation is around 4/10” for this time period.

Rapid Onset Drought Outlook

From November 15 through November 21, 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.