Drought Information Statement for Northeast IA, Southeast MN, & Western, WI Valid March 14, 2024 Issued By: WFO La Crosse, WI Contact Information: w-arx.webmaster@noaa.gov This product will be updated April 4, 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/ARX/DroughtInformationStatement for previous statements. U.S. Drought Monitor Link to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor for Northeast IA, southeast MN, & Western IA Drought intensity and extent: Northeast Iowa: Severe (D2) to extreme (D3) drought. Southeast Minnesota: moderate (D1) to extreme (D3) drought. Western Wisconsin: Abnormally dry (D0) to severe (D2) drought. The worst of the drought is south of Interstate 90. Recent Change in Drought Intensity During the past week, there was a slight expansion of the moderate (D2) drought from southeast Olmsted County in southeast Minnesota northeast Jackson and southern Clark counties in central Wisconsin. Precipitation... 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. Temperature... During the past month (February 13 through March 13), temperatures ranged from 6°F to 10°F warmer than normal. Summary of Impacts... Fire Hazard Impacts 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. Hydrologic Impacts 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. Mitigation Actions No known actions are currently taking place in northeast Iowa, southeast Minnesota, and western Wisconsin. Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts... 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 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 doward trends will continue. Agricultural Impacts... Soil moisture remains below to well-below normal along and south of Interstate 90. The driest areas are in northeast Iowa. Fire Hazard Impacts... As of the morning of March 13, 2024, very high fire danger (fires start easily and spread at a very fast rate) was indicated 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. Seven Day Precipitation Forecast... From March 14 through March 20, the Weather Prediction Center (WPC) is forecasting anywhere from a ½ to 1” of rain south of Interstate 90. Much of that rain was expected to fall on March 14. Normal precipitation is around a ½” for this time period. Rapid Onset Drought Outlook... With enhanced chances of above-normal precipitation from March 22-28, rapid onset drought (at least a 2-category degradation) is not expected. Long-Range Outlooks... From March through May, there is enhanced chances for warmer-than-normal temperatures. Meanwhile, there are equal chances of wetter-, near-, and drier-than-normal. Drought Outlook... According to the latest U.S. Seasonal Drought Outlook (March 1 through May 31), the drought is expected to persist across the region. Drought is expected to develop near Interstates 90 and 94 in Wisconsin.