Drought Information Statement for NE Minnesota & NW Wisconsin Valid April 18, 2025 Issued By: NWS Duluth, MN Next Update: Friday, May 2, 2025 Drought conditions improved slightly in the Arrowhead and in much of north-central Wisconsin Severe drought conditions persist in the Leech Lake and western Iron Range region US Drought Monitor Drought intensity and Extent D2 (Severe Drought): Western Iron Range and Leech Lake area. D1 (Moderate Drought): Along and north of MN Hwy 210 in northern Minnesota except the Arrowhead. D0: (Abnormally Dry): Borderlands, Lake County, Brainerd Lakes and all of northwest Wisconsin. U.S. Drought Monitor Recent Change in Drought Intensity Drought Worsened: Not Applicable. No Change: Nearly all of the Northland. Drought Improved: North-central Wisconsin and Lake/Cook Counties. Precipitation Regional precipitation in the past month ranges from near-normal for much of the region, with a few pockets along Lake Superior of 1 to 3 inches above normal. Temperature Average temperatures have been 3 to 7 degrees F above normal over the past month, except in the Arrowhead where average temperatures have been 1 to 2 degrees above normal. Summary of Impacts Hydrologic Impacts Streamflows are running below to near normal for all river basins in the Northland. Agricultural Impacts Below normal to near normal soil moisture in most of northeast Minnesota and northwest Wisconsin. Fire Hazard Impacts Fire danger is Low to High in northern and eastern Minnesota. Fire danger is Low in northwest Wisconsin. Other Impacts Unknown at this time. Mitigation Actions Burn Restrictions - No burn restrictions for most counties. There is a burning restriction (variance approved permits only) for all of east-central and northern Minnesota. Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts Northeast Minnesota - Streams are running below to near normal in northeast Minnesota. Northwest Wisconsin - Streams are running slightly below to around normal in northwest Wisconsin Agricultural Impacts Below normal to near normal soil moisture in most of northeast Minnesota and northwest Wisconsin. Fire Hazard Impacts Significant Wildland Fire Potential conditions are above normal for north-central Minnesota for April. Seven Day Precipitation Forecast Most precipitation of 1-1.5 inches is forecast in northwest Wisconsin, with only 0.1 to 0.5 inches in northern Minnesota Rapid Onset Drought Outlook Links to the latest Climate Prediction Center 8 to 14 day Temperature Outlook and Precipitation Outlook. No rapid onset drought expected. Long-Range Outlooks The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage Longer-term forecasts show equal chances for above, below, or near normal temperatures through June. Longer-term forecasts show equal chances for above, below, or near normal precipitation through June. Drought Outlook The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage Drought is expected to persist in north-central and parts of northeast Minnesota in May.