Drought Information Statement for Northeast IA, Southeast MN, & Western, WI Valid September 24, 2026 Issued By: WFO La Crosse, WI Contact Information: w-arx.webmaster@noaa.gov This product will be updated when abnormally dry or drought conditions once again develop in the area. Please see all currently available products at https://drought.gov/drought-information-statements. Please visit https://www.weather.gov/ARX/DroughtInformationStatement for previous statements. Please visit https://www.drought.gov/drought-status-updates/ for regional drought status updates. Moderate (D1) to severe (D2) drought continues mainly north of Interstate 94. The abnormally dry (D0) conditions south of Interstate 90 has been removed due to 2” to 8” of rain during the past week. U.S. Drought Monitor Link to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor for Upper Midwest - https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/ Severe drought (D2) continues across Taylor (WI), the northern two-thirds of Clark (WI), northwest Buffalo (WI), and far northern Wabasha (MN) counties. Moderate drought (D1) continues across parts of Wabasha (MN), Buffalo (WI), Jackson (WI), and southern third of Clark (WI) counties. 1-Week Drought Monitor Class Change. Some of the moderate (D1) drought was changed to abnormally dry (D0) in between Interstate 90 and 94. Abnormally dry (D0) was removed south of Interstate 90. Precipitation Rainfall north of Interstate 94 has been anywhere from 50 to 75% of normal since mid-June. This has resulted in the development of moderate (D1) to severe (D2) drought. Recent rain (2-8”) has alleviated the abnormally dry (D0) conditions south of I-90. Temperature During the past 7 days, high temperatures averaged up to 6°F colder than normal. During the past 90 days (since mid-June), temperature departures ranged from 1 to 3°F warmer than normal. Summary of Impacts Links: See/submit Condition Monitoring Observer Reports (CMOR) and view the Drought Impacts Reporter Hydrologic Impacts There are no known impacts at this time. Agricultural Impacts There are no known impacts at this time. Fire Hazard Impacts As of the morning of September 22, fire danger was low (fires are not easily started) across northeast Iowa, southeast Minnesota, and from southwest into central Wisconsin. Other Impacts There are no known impacts at this time. Mitigation Actions No known actions are taking place in northeast Iowa, southeast Minnesota, and western Wisconsin. Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts Recent rain (2-8”) has alleviated the abnormally dry (D0) conditions south of Interstate 90. As of the morning of September 22, stream flows remain below normal north of Interstate 94. Due to this moderate (D1) to severe (D2) drought continue in these areas. Fire Hazard Impacts As of the morning of September 22… fire danger was low (fires are not easily started) across northeast Iowa, southeast Minnesota, and from southwest into central Wisconsin. Seven Day Precipitation Forecast From September 25 through October 2, the Weather Prediction Center (WPC) is forecasting anywhere from a 1½” to 4” of rain across the Upper Mississippi River Valley. The greatest rainfall amounts are forecast to be in northeast Iowa. Normal precipitation is between 0.8” and 0.9” for this time period. Rapid Onset Drought Outlook From October 3 through October 9, rapid onset drought (at least a 2-category degradation) is not expected in northeast Iowa, southeast Minnesota, and from southwest into central Wisconsin. Long-Range Outlooks From October-December, the Climate Prediction Center (CPC) has tilted the odds toward temperatures warmer than normal (40-50%) across the Upper Mississippi River Valley. Equal chances of above-, near-, and below-normal precipitation is expected. During strong and very strong El Niño, the odds are tilted toward very wet, but it is not a statistically significant signal. Drought Outlook The latest monthly and seasonal drought outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage Drought is expected to improve or end north of Interstate 94 through the end of 2026.