Drought Information Statement for Northeast IA, Southeast MN, & Western, WI Valid November 19, 2024 Issued By: WFO La Crosse, WI Contact Information: w-arx.webmaster@noaa.gov This product will be updated Thursday, November 28, 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. Some More Improvement in the Drought Drought intensity and extent... D0 (Abnormally Dry) and D1 (Moderate Drought) conditions exist across much of northeast Iowa, southeast Minnesota, and in northwest Buffalo and northwest Taylor counties in Wisconsin. D0 (Abnormally Dry) conditions exist in all or parts of Clark, Grant, Jackson, La Crosse, and Trempealeau counties in Wisconsin. 1-Week Drought Monitor Class Change... During the past week, there was a 1-category improvement in the drought for southwest and central Wisconsin, parts of Allamakee & Fayette counties in northeast Iowa, and parts of Dodge and Wabasha counties in southeast Minnesota. Precipitation... From August 21 through November 19 (past 90 days), rainfall totals ranged from 4.31" near Oelwein, IA to 12.19" near Prairie du Chien, WI. Rainfall departures ranged from 2" wetter-than-normal to 5" drier than normal. The largest deficits (up to to 5") were west of the Mississippi River. Temperature... During the past week (November 13 to November 19), temperatures ranged from 4°F to 8°F warmer than normal. During the past month (October 20 through November 19), average temperatures ranged from 8°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 19, fire danger ranged from low (fires are not easily started) to high (fires start easily and spread at a high rate) in northeast Iowa. Meanwhile, fire danger was low in 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 (November 13 through November 19), rainfall totals ranged from 0.50" near Rochester, MN to 1.86" near Necedah, WI. Normally, around 4/10" of an inch of rain falls during this time frame. During the past week, there was a 1-category improvement in the drought for southwest and central Wisconsin, parts of Allamakee & Fayette counties in northeast Iowa, and parts of Dodge and Wabasha counties in southeast Minnesota. As of the morning of November 19, rivers and stream flows ranged from near normal to much above normal in southeast Minnesota, and from southwest into central Wisconsin; and from near to above normal in northeast Iowa. Agricultural Impacts... During the past month, above-normal rainfall has resulted in some improvement in top- and sub-soil moisture. This above-normal rainfall ended the drought across much of southwest and central Wisconsin. Fire Hazard Impacts... As of the morning of November 19, 2024, fire danger ranged from low (fires are not easily started) to high (fires start easily and spread at a high rate) in northeast Iowa. Meanwhile, fire danger was low in southeast Minnesota and from southwest into central Wisconsin. Link to Wildfire Potential Outlooks from the National Interagency Coordination Center. Seven Day Precipitation Forecast... From November 21 through November 28, the Weather Prediction Center (WPC) is forecasting up to a quarter-inch of precipitation in central and southwest Wisconsin. Normal precipitation is around 4/10” for this time period. Rapid Onset Drought Outlook... From November 29 through December 5, rapid onset drought (at least a 2-category degradation) is not expected in northeast Iowa, southeast Minnesota, and from southwest into central Wisconsin. Long-Range Outlooks... From December through February, the Climate Prediction Center has equal chances of warmer-, near-, and colder-than-normal for the Upper Mississippi River Valley. The odds are tilted to wetter-than-normal (33 to 40%) for meteorological winter in the Upper Mississippi River Valley. Drought Outlook... The drought is expected to either improve or end by the end of February 2025.