Key Points:
Drought continues to expand and worsen as Severe Drought (D2) now encompasses portions of northeast Wisconsin with Moderate Drought (D1) expanding in area coverage.
Outside the lake effect snow band in northern Door County earlier this month, precipitation so far this month has been sparse. Through the 19th, Wausau has only recorded 0.07 inches of precipitation which is only 6% of normal. Precipitation totals are not faring much better with Rhinelander at 10% of normal and Green Bay 18%.
Discussion:
Below normal rainfall was first noted in August and continued into September across portions of northeast Wisconsin. The dryness increased in magnitude in October, with many locations recording less than 50% of normal precipitation for the month. Over the first three weeks of November, precipitation has been sparse as moisture has become critically low. Over the past week, Severe Drought (D2) has developed and expanded across portions of far northeast Wisconsin, according to the latest Drought Monitor (Nov 20). Precipitation totals are running less than 50% across the entire area, and less than 25% of normal in many spots, especially north and west of the Fox Valley. Specific locations are seeing historically low November amounts, such as Wausau (6% of normal), Rhinelander (10%), and Green Bay (18%). The extended dry conditions have already led to a few significant grass and marsh fires in recent weeks.
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 Portal
Link to Drought Impacts Toolkit
Report drought impacts in your area
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 (Note...may take a minute or two to load) |
28 Day Streamflow Compared to Normal (Note...may take a minute or two to load) |
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| Soil Moisture Percentile | |
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Observed precipitation over the past 7 days:
| 30 Day Precipitation Departures | 90 Day Precipitation Departures |
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| 6 Month Precipitation Departures | 1 Year Precipitation Departures |
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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 |
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Extended outlooks from the Climate Prediction Center:
| 8 to 14 Day Temperature Outlook | 8 to 14 Day Precipitation Outlook |
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| Month Temperature Outlook | Month Precipitation Outlook |
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| Seasonal Temperature Outlook | Seasonal Precipitation Outlook |
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Additional Information
Report drought impacts in your area.
If you have any questions, comments, or drought impacts to report please contact:
National Weather Service Green Bay
nws.greenbay@noaa.gov
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