Drought Information Statement for Northeast IA, Southeast MN, & Western, WI 
Valid October 8, 2026
Issued By: WFO La Crosse, WI
Contact Information: w-arx.webmaster@noaa.gov
This product will be updated whenever abnormally dry or drought conditions exist 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 north of Interstate 94.

Due to the very wet September, there was improvement in the abnormally dry (D0) and moderate (D1) drought conditions between Interstates 90 and 94.

U.S. Drought Monitor - https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/CurrentMap/StateDroughtMonitor.aspx?Midwest

Severe drought (D2) continues across Taylor (WI), northwest Clark (WI), and northwest Buffalo (WI) counties.

Moderate drought (D1) continues across northern Wabasha (MN), northeast Buffalo (WI), far northern Trempealeau (WI), northwest Jackson (WI), and southern two-thirds of Clark (WI) counties.

Recent Change in Drought Intensity 1-Week Drought Monitor Class Change. 

There was 1-category improvement between Interstates 90 and 94 due to the very wet September. This resulted in some removal of the abnormally dry (D0) conditions and moderate (D1) drought.

Precipitation

Rainfall north of Interstate 94 has been anywhere from 25 to 50% of normal since early July. This has resulted in the development of moderate (D1) to severe (D2) drought north of Interstate 94.

A very wet September caused some improvement in the dryness between Interstates 90 & 94.

Temperature

During the past 7 days, high temperatures have ranged from near normal to 3°F warmer than normal west of the Mississippi River, and from near normal to 8°F warmer than normal elsewhere. 

During the past 90 days (since early July), temperature departures were up to 3°F warmer than normal. 

Summary of Impacts

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 October 6, 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
As of the morning of October 6, stream flows remain below normal north of Interstate 94. Due to this moderate (D1) to severe (D2) drought continue in these areas.

Elsewhere, stream flows range from normal to much-above normal.

Fire Hazard Impacts

As of the morning of October 6, 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 October 6 through October 13, the Weather Prediction Center (WPC) is forecasting up to a half-inch across the Upper Mississippi River Valley. 

Normal precipitation is around 0.6” for this time period.

Rapid Onset Drought Outlook

From October 14 through October 20, 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 warmer than normal (40-50%) temperatures 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

Drought is expected to improve or end north of Interstate 94 through the end of 2026.