Drought Information Statement for NE Minnesota & NW Wisconsin Valid March 14, 2024 Issued By: NWS Duluth Contact Information: This product will be updated March 29, 2024 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/DLH/DroughtInformationStatement for previous statements. U.S. Drought Monitor Drought conditions persist across Northland. Drought intensity and extent D2 (Severe Drought): North-Central Minnesota around the Brainerd Lakes and Walker, and portions of northwest Wisconsin especially in Ashland/Iron Counties. D1 (Moderate Drought): Most of north-central and northeast Minnesota, much of northwest Wisconsin. D0: (Abnormally Dry): Small area along the International Border in NE Koochiching and NW St. Louis Counties. Recent Change in Drought Intensity Drought Worsened: Northeast Minnesota along and around the Iron Range. No Change: Everywhere else across the region Drought Improved: NA Precipitation Regional precipitation in the past month has been below normal. Areas from the Brainerd Lakes to the Twin Ports and up the North and South Shores have seen the largest departures from normal with near zero amounts of precipitation. Snowfall has been at record low levels with snowpack water historically low. Temperature Temperatures have been around 10+ degrees above normal across the Northland through the past month on average. Most days have seen highs above freezing with period of overnight lows also above freezing. Summary of Impacts Hydrologic Impacts Streamflows are generally running normal to below normal around the region. Snowpack water is at historically low levels. Ice out on inland lakes and rivers is happening much earlier than normal. Agricultural Impacts No recent reports. Fire Hazard Impacts Fire danger has been increasing across NW WI and NE MN. Significant Wildland Fire Potential is above normal for this Spring. Burning restrictions are being imposed in some areas. Other Impacts A record-low snow winter led to large economic losses for areas that rely on winter tourism to sustain them through their slow seasons. Many winter events, such as ski and sled dog races, and snowmobile events, were canceled. Mitigation Actions None reported. Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts Streams that aren’t frozen over are running generally around normal across the region. Agricultural Impacts Soil moisture is generally around average to below average around the region. Fire Hazard Impacts Fire danger has increased due to below average precipitation and very warm temperatures over the past month. Significant Wildland Fire Potential is above normal for this Spring. Seven Day Precipitation Forecast Some precipitation is possible over the next week across much of Northern Minnesota and Northern Wisconsin. Highest amounts along the South Shore where lake effect snow is possible. Long-Range Outlooks Chances are equal for above normal, below normal, or near normal precipitation for March. Above normal temperatures are slightly favored for March. Drought Outlook The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage Areas that are currently experiencing drought may see drought persist or worsen over the next three months. Drought development is likely in the next three month in northeast Minnesota as well as parts of northwest Wisconsin.