Key Points:
Several soaking rains since October 29th have brought improving drought conditions across north-central and northeast Wisconsin.
Severe Drought (D2) now only persists across Vilas, eastern Oneida and far western Forest counties. Over the rest of the north, Moderate Drought (D1) conditions continue north of a Tomahawk to Green Bay to Two Creek line with Abnormally Dry (D0) conditions (long term precipitation deficits) to the south.
Discussion:
After a very wet start to the summer, drier than normal conditions returned in August to portions of northeast Wisconsin. Locations north of Green Bay missed out on the heavy rainfall during August. The dry weather expanded across much of the area with many locations receiving between 0.50 to 1.50 inches during September, although some totals across central Wisconsin were close to 3 inches. Rainfall for September was around 20% of normal at Oconto and Washington Island. In matter of fact, the rainfall total at Washington Island for August and September was only 16% of the long term normal rainfall.
September ended at most locations as one of the top ten warmest Septembers on record with an average temperature from three to five degrees above normal. The warm and dry conditions have continued through most of October, with Severe Drought (D2) and Moderate Drought (D1) expanding west and southward into north-central and portions of east-central Wisconsin. The drier than normal weather continued through much of October, with a heavy rainfall between 1 and 3 inches across central into portions of northeast Wisconsin on October 30-31. Additional rainfall fell during the first week of November which resulted in improving drought conditions across much of the area, except over far north-central Wisconsin.
View the latest Drought Information Slides and Drought Text Statement for northeast Wisconsin for more detailed information. Drought statements for other areas here.
Drought Conditions
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Link to Drought Impacts Toolkit
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Drought Factors and Impacts
Note, data in these images are from the current date and may include rain after the Drought Monitor valid time.
28 Day Streamflow Compared to Normal | 28 Day Streamflow Compared to Normal |
Soil Moisture Percentile | |
Observed precipitation over the past 7 days:
30 Day Precipitation Departures | 90 Day Precipitation Departures |
6 Month Precipitation Departures | 1 Year Precipitation Departures |
More detailed precipitation anomalies available on this interactive map.
Link to USDA crop info for Wisconsin
Link to DNR Fire Danger
Looking Ahead
7 Day Precipitation Forecast |
Extended outlooks from the Climate Prediction Center:
8 to 14 Day Temperature Outlook | 8 to 14 Day Precipitation Outlook |
Month Temperature Outlook | Month Precipitation Outlook |
Seasonal Temperature Outlook | Seasonal Precipitation Outlook |
Additional Information
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National Weather Service Green Bay
nws.greenbay@noaa.gov
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