Drought Information Statement for NE Minnesota & NW Wisconsin Valid November 8, 2024 Issued By: NWS Duluth, MN Contact Information: Next Update: Friday, November 22, 2024 Moderate to Severe Drought conditions have been largely unchanged in the past two weeks. A few rounds of light precipitation have not been enough to improve the drought much as soil moisture is still below normal. U.S. Drought Monitor Drought intensity and Extent D2 (Severe Drought): Arrowhead, Twin Ports, South Shore, parts of inland northwest Wisconsin, and north-central Minnesota. D1 (Moderate Drought): The remainder of inland northwest Wisconsin not in a Severe Drought, parts of east-central Minnesota, and far north-central Minnesota. D0: (Abnormally Dry): Near International Falls and in the St. Croix River Valley. Recent Change in Drought Intensity One Week Drought Monitor Class Change. Drought Worsened: Not Applicable. No Change: The remainder of the Northland that didn’t see drought improve. Drought Improved: Far southeast Aitkin and Carlton counties, western Douglas County, northern and far southern portions of Pine and Burnett counties, and western Washburn County. Precipitation Regional precipitation in the past month ranges from well-below to above normal depending on location. Small parts of the Arrowhead and portions of the South Shore along and east of the eastern Bayfield County are above normal for rainfall. Much of north-central Minnesota into the Twin Ports are below to well-below average for rainfall. The remainder of the Northland is within plus-or-minus 0.5” of normal rainfall over the past month. Temperature Temperatures have been an average of 4°F to 8°F above normal across the entire Northland over the past month. Temperatures that were observed in the Northland over the last month Summary of Impacts Hydrologic Impacts Streamflows are running below to much below normal in northeast Minnesota and around normal in northwest Wisconsin. (USGS Streamflow). Agricultural Impacts Below normal soil moisture Fire Hazard Impacts Fire danger is Low for north-central into east-central Minnesota (MN Fire Danger). Fire danger is also Low for northwest Wisconsin (WI Fire Danger). Other Impacts Increased irrigation of gardens and golf courses. Less water for wildlife. Change in wetlands, swamps, and creeks. Mitigation Actions Burn Restrictions - Burning permits are required in northeast Minnesota. Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts Northeast Minnesota - Streams are running much below normal to below normal for most basins in north-central and northeast Minnesota. Northwest Wisconsin - Streams are running around normal for northwest Wisconsin. Agricultural Impacts Soil moisture is below normal in the Northland. Fire Hazard Impacts Significant Wildland Fire Potential conditions are normal for November. Seven Day Precipitation Forecast Scattered rain will bring less than one-quarter of an inch of rain to the Northland Saturday afternoon, 11/9, through Sunday, 11/10. Another low pressure system is forecast to move through the Upper Great Lakes late Tuesday, 11/12, and depart early Thursday, 11/14. Precipitation will primarily be in the form of rain, though temperatures could get cold enough Wednesday evening and night for some light snow to mix in. Additional liquid precipitation amounts of 0.1 to 0.5 inches are forecast, highest in north-central Wisconsin. Rapid Onset Drought Outlook Links to the latest Climate Prediction Center 8 to 14 day Temperature Outlook and Precipitation Outlook. No rapid onset drought expected. Drought Outlook The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage Most of the Northland is currently experiencing drought, with the drought expected to persist through at least January in northeast Minnesota, but improve and/or end in northwest Wisconsin.