Drought Expands along and
|
|||||||
Summary: | |||||||
From February 14 through March 13, precipitation totals ranged from 0.03" at Minnesota City Dam 5, MN to 1.62" near Waukon, IA. During this period, typically 1.2 to 1.8" of precipitation falls. From April 1, 2023, through March 13, 2024, precipitation departures range from near-normal to 11" below normal north of Interstate 90, and from 8 to just over 20" below normal across the remainder of the area. The driest area is in northeast Iowa where precipitation deficits range from 13.67" near Ionia, IA (Chickasaw County to 19.88" near Nashua, IA (Floyd County). With the lack of precipitation continuing over the past month (following a trend of dryness since November 2023), drought expanded by nearly 30% in the NWS La Crosse Hydrologic Service Area (HSA) during the past month. On February 13, the US Drought Monitor had 61% of the La Crosse HSA in at least moderate (D1). During the past, month this area has expanded to 90%. Much of this increase was north of the Interstate 90 corridor. The last time this much of the HSA was in drought was June 15, 2021 (95.5%). This drought is impacting river flows across the region. As of March 13, the lowest flows were found at: Bloody Run Creek near Marquette, IA (20% of normal); Cedar River at Charles City, IA (11% of normal); Little Cedar River at Ionia, IA (6% of normal); South Fork of the Zumbro River at Rochester, MN (8% of normal); Turkey River at Garber, IA (15% of normal); Upper Iowa near Dorchester, IA (12% of normal); and Yellow River at Ion, IA (13% of normal). The rapid downward trends are due to mainly the fact that streamflows have been nearly steady or decreased during a time when they are normally increasing. The normal increase is due to normal snowmelt and precipitation. We have lacked a widespread, statewide moderate precipitation event for a while. If the dry conditions continue then the downward trends will continue. Modernized Drought Information Statement (DGT) can be found here. Note: The impacts of any precipitation that fell after 7 AM Tuesday, March 12 will be evaluated next week. U.S. Drought Monitor Summary: In the March 12 release of the U.S. Drought Monitor, abnormally dry (D0) to extreme (D3) drought continued across Iowa. The drought is the worst in the eastern part of the state. Abnormally dry (D0) to severe (D2) drought continues in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Note: The data cutoff for Drought Monitor maps is Tuesday at 7 a.m. Central Daylight Time.
Extreme (D3) Drought in all or parts of:
Severe (D2) to Extreme (D3) Drought in all or parts of:
Severe (D2) Drought in all or parts of:
Moderate (D1) to Extreme (D3) Drought in all or parts of:
Moderate (D1) to Severe (D2) Drought in all or parts of:
Moderate (D1) Drought in all or parts of:
Abnormally Dry (D0) to Severe (D2) Drought in all or parts of:
Abnormally Dry (D0) to Moderate (D1) Drought in all or parts of:
No known actions are taking place in northeast Iowa, southeast Minnesota, and western Wisconsin. Climatological Summary:
|
The U.S. Drought Monitor is a weekly collaborative effort between several federal agencies including NOAA/NWS, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the National Drought Mitigation Center. Details and explanations of the Drought Monitor can be found at: The categories of drought are defined as follows: Moderate Drought (D1) - Some damage to crops and pastures; fire risk high; streams, reservoirs, or wells low, some water shortages developing or imminent, voluntary water use restrictions requested. Severe Drought (D2) - Crop or pasture losses likely; fire risk very high; water shortages common; water restrictions imposed. Extreme Drought (D3) - Major crop/pasture losses; extreme fire danger; widespread water shortages or restrictions. Exceptional Drought (D4) - Exceptional and widespread crop/pasture losses; exceptional fire risk; shortages of water in reservoirs, streams, and wells, creating water emergencies. Disaster & Drought Assistance:
Other Drought Web Sites:
|
As of the morning of March 13, rivers and stream flows ranged from much below to below normal in northeast Iowa, and from much below normal to normal in southeast Minnesota and western Wisconsin. The lowest flows were found at the following river gauges as of March 13: Bloody Run Creek near Marquette, IA (20% of normal); Cedar River at Charles City, IA (11% of normal); Little Cedar River at Ionia, IA (6% of normal); South Fork of the Zumbro River at Rochester, MN (8% of normal); Turkey River at Garber, IA (15% of normal); Upper Iowa near Dorchester, IA (12% of normal); and Yellow River at Ion, IA (13% of normal). The rapid downward trends are due to mainly the fact that streamflows have been nearly steady or decreased during a time when they are normally increasing. The normal increase is due to normal snowmelt and precipitation. We have lacked a widespread, statewide moderate precipitation event for a while. If the dry conditions continue then the downward trends will continue. NOTE: This is time-sensitive and conditions could change. Updated river and streamflow conditions can be found via links to the right. |
Hourly and forecast river stages out to 90 days can be found at: Additional Current stream and river stages may be viewed at: An interactive table of sites that are at or near record flows can be found at: |
As of the morning of March 13, fire danger was very high (fires start easily and spread at a very fast rate) in Adams County in central Wisconsin. High fire danger (fires start easily and spread at a high rate) was indicated across southeast Minnesota and the remainder of southwest and central Wisconsin. Moderate fire danger (fires start easily and spread at a moderate rate) was indicated in northeast Iowa. NOTE: This is time-sensitive and conditions could change from day to day. Fire conditions can change drastically on drier, windy days. Updated DNR fire conditions can be found via links to the right. Citizens should always check with local officials in their area before undertaking any outside burning. Citizens are liable for damages and suppression costs of any wildfire they may start. |
Description of Fire Danger Ratings For updated DNR Fire Conditions consult the following Web Sites: The Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI) is a drought index that is specifically related to fire potential. The KDBI is broken into four categories which indicate the susceptibility of ground fuels to fire danger. Below are the four categories and a brief description of each.
KBDI and Dead Fuel Moisture data can be found through the: Burn Bans: |
From March 14 through March 20, temperatures and precipitation will average below normal. During this time frame, daily average temperatures range from 31 to 36°F, and precipitation averages around a half inch. From March 21 through March 27 (8-14 day outlook), the Climate Prediction Center (CPC) has enhanced chances for below-normal temperatures and above-normal precipitation. The normal daily average temperatures for this period range from 34 to 39°F and the normal precipitation is around a half inch. From April through June 2024, the Climate Prediction Center has enhanced chances for above-normal temperatures and equal chances of above-, near-, and below-normal precipitation for the Upper Mississippi River Valley. Seasonal temperatures warm from the 40s in April into the 60s in June, and seasonal precipitation ranges from 11 to 13" along and north of Interstate 94, and from 13 to 15" across the remainder of the area. Below are the seasonal outlooks for the next year.
|
For updated temperature and precipitation probabilities consult the following Climate Prediction Center (CPC) Web Sites:
NCEP's CFSv2 (Coupled Forecast System Model Version 2): |
If you have any questions or comments about this drought information please contact the NWS La Crosse at: E-mail: nws.lacrosse@noaa.gov |
Other Contacts: State climate impacts: |