Drought Information Statement for Central and Southern Minnesota and Western Wisconsin Valid February 20, 2025 Issued By: NWS Twin Cities / Chanhassen, MN Contact Information: This product will be updated March 20, 2025 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/MPX/DroughtInformationStatement for previous statements. Please visit https://www.drought.gov/drought-status-updates/ for regional drought status updates. Drought conditions have started to expand again in the last month Drought intensity and Extent D1 (Moderate Drought): Most of western Wisconsin, along the I-90 corridor in southern Minnesota, along the South Dakota border in western Minnesota, and portions of central Minnesota D0 (Abnormally Dry): Most of central and southern Minnesota outside of the Twin Cities metropolitan area The lack of precipitation in general since the end of December has resulted in a 1 category degradation in drought conditions across much of southern Minnesota. Recent Change in Drought Intensity 1-month and 3-month percent of normal precipitation Over the last 30 days, dry conditions have been most pronounced across west central and southwest over to southeast MN. For the last 90 days, precipitation deficits exist for all of central and southern MN and western WI. The driest conditions in the last 90 days have been over southwest MN, where only between 25% and 50% of normal precipitation has been observed. 1-week and 1-month temperature departure Although the last week was significantly below normal with an arctic high dominating the region. A warm end to January has meant temperatures over the last 30 have been running near normal. Summary of Impacts Links: See/submit Condition Monitoring Observer Reports (CMOR) and view the Drought Impacts Reporter Hydrologic Impacts Significant amounts of ice continue to be seen on streams and rivers across Minnesota and Wisconsin, which is impacting streamflows (USGS Streamflow). Agricultural Impacts We are out of the growing season. (State USDA Crop Reports). Fire Hazard Impacts Cold temperatures and snow cover are keeping the fire danger low in Minnesota and Wisconsin. However, for much of the area, the snowpack is thin and will be lost quickly, which could result in a quick commencement to the Spring fire season in March. (MN Fire Danger, WI Fire Danger). Other Impacts No known additional impacts. Mitigation Actions None Currently in place. Seven Day Precipitation Forecast Little in the way of precipitation is expected for the next 7 days. March Outlooks The latest weekly to seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage The March outlook is a low confidence one. There is no strong signal for above or below normal temperatures for the entire month of March, with all of MN and WI with Equal Chances in the temperature outlook. An active storm track is expected into the Great Lakes in March, with a slight favoring toward above normal precipitation across far eastern MN and across WI. There is Equal Chances of above or below normal precipitation across most of MN in March. Drought Outlook The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage Given the active storm track predicted to be to our east into the Great Lakes, drought conditions are largely expected to persist across MN and western WI going into the Spring Drought Definitions and State Resources What do those categories mean? Drought Category Definitions: Comprehensive Drought Information for Minnesota: http://www.drought.gov/state/minnesota Comprehensive Drought Information for Wisconsin: http://www.drought.gov/state/wisconsin These sites contain links to resources from each state, to help you dive into drought information in more detail.