Drought Information Statement for Northeast IA, Southeast MN, & Western, WI 
Valid October 22, 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.

Severe drought (D2) continues across Taylor (WI), northern half of Clark (WI), northwest Buffalo (WI), and far northern Wabasha (MN) counties.

Moderate drought (D1) continues across the northern half of Wabasha (MN), northern Buffalo (WI), far northern Trempealeau (WI), northwest Jackson (WI), and southern half of Clark (WI) counties.

Recent Change in Drought Intensity

There was no changes in the moderate (D1) to severe (D2) drought north of Interstate 94.

Precipitation

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

Temperature

During the past 7 days, temperatures were 4°F to 6°F warmer than normal. 

During the past 90 days (since mid-July), temperature departures ranged from 1°F to 6°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 20, fire danger was moderate (fires start easily and spread at a moderate rate) in Taylor County (WI) and in southeast MN. Meanwhile, fire danger was low (fires are not easily started) across northeast Iowa, 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 20, 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 20, fire danger was moderate (fires start easily and spread at a moderate rate) in Taylor County (WI) and in southeast MN. 

Meanwhile, fire danger was low (fires are not easily started) across northeast Iowa, and from southwest into central Wisconsin.

Seven Day Precipitation Forecast

From October 22 through October 29, the Weather Prediction Center (WPC) is forecasting up to 0.50” for the Upper Mississippi River Valley. 

Normal precipitation is around 0.6” for this time period.

Rapid Onset Drought Outlook

From November 1 through November 7, 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 November-January, the Climate Prediction Center (CPC) has tilted the odds toward warmer than normal (45-60%) 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 remain unchanged north of Interstate 94 through the end of January 2027.