Drought Information Statement for NE Minnesota & NW Wisconsin Valid May 13, 2024 Issued By: NWS Duluth, MN Contact Information: This product will be updated May 27, 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/DLH/DroughtInformationStatement for previous statements. Please visit https://www.drought.gov/drought-status-updates/ for regional drought status updates. Drought conditions have improved over the past few weeks due to above average rainfall and are expected to continue to see improvement over the next month. U.S. Drought Monitor Link to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor for the Northland Drought intensity and Extent D1 (Moderate Drought): Northern Cass, far western Itasca, and far southwestern Koochiching counties in north-central Minnesota. Northern Iron County and the far northeastern sliver of Ashland County in north-central Wisconsin. D0 (Abnormally Dry): The remainder of north-central Minnesota, as well as central and northern St. Louis County and far northwestern Lake County. Eastern Bayfield, northeastern Sawyer, northern Price, Ashland, and southern Iron counties in north-central Wisconsin. Recent Change in Drought Intensity One Week Drought Monitor Class Change. Drought Worsened: Not Applicable No Change: east-central Price County. Drought Improved: Everywhere else aside for a narrow strip from east-central MN into the North Shore. Precipitation Regional precipitation in the past month has been above normal, with some pockets of near-normal. This rainfall has helped improve drought conditions across much of the Northland over the past few weeks. Temperature Temperatures have been generally +1 to +3 degrees from normal for most of the Northland during the past month, but closer to normal for the North Shore. Summary of Impacts Hydrologic Impacts Streamflows are generally running normal around the region, with some pockets of above normal due to recent rains (USGS Streamflow). Agricultural Impacts There are no known impacts at this time. Fire Hazard Impacts Fire danger is moderate to high for most of northeast MN, and very high for far north-central MN (MN Fire Danger). Fire danger is high to very high for northwest WI (WI Fire Danger). Other Impacts There are no known impacts at this time. Mitigation Actions None reported. Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts Northeast Minnesota - Streams are running near normal for most basins. Northwest Wisconsin - All of northwest Wisconsin is running near-normal to above normal . Agricultural Impacts Soil moisture is generally around to slightly above average in the Northland. Seven Day Precipitation Forecast A series of low pressure systems will move through the region during the week of 5/13, one on Wed-Thu (5/15-5/16) and more Fri-Sun (5/17-5/19). Precipitation will be in the form of showers and some thunderstorms. Most of the rain will be on the lighter side, with widespread rainfall amounts of 0.1-0.5 inches expected. Some localized higher amounts will be possible with any thunderstorms. Long-Range Outlooks Longer-term forecasts show a slight favoring of above normal precipitation for the remainder of May. Equal chances for above or below normal temperatures are forecast for the remainder of May. Drought Outlook The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage Areas that are currently experiencing drought are predicted to see drought end within the next month.