Drought Information Statement for Central and Southern Minnesota and Western Wisconsin Valid November 21, 2024 Issued By: NWS Twin Cities / Chanhassen, MN Contact Information: This product will be updated December 19, 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/MPX/DroughtInformationStatement for previous statements. Please visit https://www.drought.gov/drought-status-updates/ for regional drought status updates. Recent precipitation continues to improve the drought situation U.S. Drought Monitor Drought intensity and Extent D2 (Severe Drought): small portions of Rusk and Barron counties in northwest Wisconsin D1 (Moderate Drought): Most of western Wisconsin, along the I-90 corridor in Minnesota, along the South Dakota border in western Minnesota, and portions of central Minnesota D0: (Abnormally Dry): Most of central and southern Minnesota Recent Change in Drought Intensity It was a mix of improvements where heavy rain and snow fell on Halloween and degradation in western Minnesota, which continues to get missed by heavier precipitation 1-month and 3-month percent of normal precipitation Precipitation Departures Everywhere has seen above normal precipitation in the last 30 days, which has helped improve drought conditions Despite wet conditions in the last 30 precipitation deficits remain over the last 90 days due to the dry September and first 3 weeks of October 1-week and 1-month temperature departure Temperature Departures Up through Tuesday, November 19th, this has been the warmest fall on record for Minnesota and Wisconsin. Summary of Impacts Links: See/submit Condition Monitoring Observer Reports (CMOR) and view the Drought Impacts Reporter Hydrologic Impacts Recent rains have helped to stabilize and improve streamflows across the area, though the upper Mississippi continues to struggle with low flows (USGS Streamflow). Agricultural Impacts This drought has actually been beneficial for non-grazing agricultural activities, as this has been ideal weather for harvesting field crops (State USDA Crop Reports). Fire Hazard Impacts Multiple precipitation events since the last week of October has greatly reduced the fire danger across Minnesota and Wisconsin (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 The headwaters of the Mississippi basin continues to have reduced flows Recent rains have allowed all other basins to have streamflows stabilize Seven Day Precipitation Forecast The next week will be cooler, but dry, with the active storm track sliding to the south. 8-14 Day Outlooks The latest weekly to seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage Our first hit of arctic air is expected to arrive Thanksgiving weekend and continue into the start of December Given the cold air, it will be drier as well as we end November and move into December Drought Outlook The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage As we approach winter, the lower precipitation amounts we typically see this time of year makes it hard to move the drought needle one way or the other 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.