Drought Information Statement for Central and Southern Minnesota and Western Wisconsin Valid April, 11, 2024 Issued By: NWS Twin Cities / Chanhassen, MN Contact Information: This product will be updated April, 18, 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/[WFO]/DroughtInformationStatement for previous statements. Please visit https://www.drought.gov/drought-status-updates/[link] for regional drought status updates. Continued wet weather sees a gradual improvement in drought conditions U.S. Drought Monitor Drought intensity and Extent D2 (Severe Drought): The southeast sliver of Freebord county remains in the D2 drought category D1 (Moderate Drought): Most of the rest of Freeborn county and most of Todd, Morrison, and northern Mille Lacs county in central Minnesota D0: (Abnormally Dry): Most of western and southern Minnesota and Menomonie to Rice Lake on the east in Wisconsin. Recent Change in Drought Intensity Wet weather since March 20th has allowed for a continued improvement in drought conditions 1-week Change Map 4-week Change Map 1-month and 3-month percent of normal precipitation Precipitation Departures The last month has seen very wet weather outside of western MN that has resulted in the improvements to the drought we have seen. However, as you go farther back, precipitation from a dry 2023 growing season remains. 1-week and 1-month temperature departure Temperature Departures Temperatures over the last month have continued to run above normal, though that departure above normal was not as extreme as what we saw through much of the winter. Summary of Impacts Hydrologic Impacts Recent rains have allowed streamflows to return to a normal range, with low flow conditions only lingering in the Mississippi River basin from St. Cloud to the the headwaters. (USGS Streamflow). Agricultural Impacts We are just starting to get into the planting season, so agriculture impacts are minimal. However, recent rains have greatly improved soil moisture conditions across region (Current soil moisture observations). Fire Hazard Impacts We are in the heart of the Spring fire season in MN and WI. Until the green-up occurs, we will have an increased wildfire risk for any day where it does not rain (MN Fire Danger, WI Fire Danger). Other Impacts No known additional impacts. Mitigation Actions None Currently in place. Average streamflow for the past 7 days Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts Recent rains have helped stream flow conditions to improve, though the upper Mississippi River from St. Cloud to the headwaters continues to struggle with below normal flows. Image Caption: USGS 7-day Streamflow departure from normal for MN. Valid April 10, 2024 Image Caption: USGS 7-day Streamflow departure from normal for WI. Valid April 10, 2024 Fire Hazard Impacts We are in the heart of our Spring Fire season, with a typical wildfire hazard existing for this time of year. Recent rainfall has greatly improved the wildfire risk from where it was in mid March, though until the green-up occurs, the wildfire risk will continue on any days where it does not rain. Fire Danger ratings valid for the date listed ONLY. Image Caption: Wildfire Danger for MN. Valid April 11, 2024 Image Caption: Wildfire Danger for WI. Valid April 11, 2024 Seven Day Precipitation Forecast Another very wet system is expected to impact the region early during the week of April 15th, with widespread rainfall amounts of 1 to 2 inches expected. This system finally looks to bring some heavier precipitation to western and northwest Minnesota. 8-14 Day Outlooks The latest weekly to seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage After the wet weather expected early in the week of April 15th, the weather pattern is expected to settle down for mid-April, with only a small favoring toward below normal temperatures and below normal precipitation. Drought Outlook The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage Drought conditions along the Iowa border are expected to improve over the next month, with the long-term drought in central and northern MN persisting. Links to the latest: Climate Prediction Center Monthly Drought Outlook Climate Prediction Center Seasonal Drought Outlook