Drought Information Statement for 
NE Minnesota & NW Wisconsin 
Valid September 19, 2026

Issued By: NWS Duluth, MN
Contact Information: nws.duluth@noaa.gov

Next Update: Friday, October 2, 2026, or sooner if there are significant changes

Improvement from Severe (D2) to Moderate (D1) for areas north of the Iron Range 
Extreme (D3) Drought conditions in far eastern Minnesota and nearly all of northwest Wisconsin.
Severe (D2) Drought conditions for nearly the rest of the Northland.




U.S. Drought Monitor

Drought intensity and Extent
D3 (Extreme  Drought): East-central MN to Twin Ports and nearly all of Northwest Wisconsin.

D2 (Severe Drought): North Shore to Iron Range southward in Minnesota

D1 (Moderate Drought): Interior Arrowhead and Borderlands

D0: (Abnormally Dry): Sliver of Koochiching County




Recent Change in Drought Intensity

One Week Drought Monitor Class Change. 

Drought Worsened: Sliver of eastern Price County
 
Drought Improved: Borderlands and interior Arrowhead

No Change: All of the rest of northeast Minnesota and northwest Wisconsin


Precipitation

Rainfall has ranged from 2 - 6 inches from late August to mid-September, highest in the Brainerd Lakes.
This rainfall is below normal for northwest Wisconsin and near to slightly above normal for northern Minnesota.



Temperature

Average temperatures were normal to slightly above normal late August to mid-September.


Summary of Impacts


Hydrologic Impacts 
Rivers and larger streams are running below to much below normal for nearly the entire region.
Small creeks with very little to no water.

Agricultural Impacts
Well below normal soil moisture northwest Wisconsin and below normal in northeast Minnesota. 
Farmers report very poor crop conditions and supplemental feeding is required to maintain livestock conditions. Rangeland and hayfields not producing any grasses.
Fields with numerous cracks in the ground due to lack of moisture.
Hauling water due to lack of flows in area creeks and drainages.

Fire Hazard Impacts
Fire danger is Low to Moderate in Minnesota. Fire danger is Low in northwest Wisconsin.

Other Impacts
Not applicable

Mitigation Actions
Residents in the cities of Duluth, Hermantown, Rice Lake and Proctor are being asked to practice water conservation as members of the Western Lake Superior Watershed. This stems from the Drought Warning response phase of the Minnesota Statewide Drought Plan administered by the MN DNR.


Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts

Streams are running below to much below normal for most of the region.
Few streams in the Arrowhead and Borderlands are running about normal.
Farmers reporting creeks with no water and having to haul water for animals.


Agriculture Impacts

Well below normal soil moisture across northeast Minnesota and northwest Wisconsin.
Farmers report very poor crop conditions.
Estimates from farmers in northwest Wisconsin that the one hay crop from earlier this summer could be the only one this growing season, with none into this fall.
Farmers report rangeland and hayfields not producing any grasses so supplemental feeding is already being done and required to maintain livestock conditions.



Fire Hazard Impacts

Significant Wildland Fire Potential conditions are Above Normal for September in northern Minnesota and northwest Wisconsin.



Drought Outlook

Drought is ongoing with D1 through D3 Conditions across the entire Northland and are expected to persist.
Improvement in the Drought conditions is possible for east-central MN and inland northwest Wisconsin