Drought Information Statement for Central and Northeast Wisconsin Valid October 24, 2024 Issued By: WFO Green Bay, WI Contact Information: nws.greenbay@noaa.gov This product will be updated October 31, 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/grb/DroughtInformationStatement for previous statements. Please visit https://www.drought.gov/drought-status-updates/drought-status-update-midwest-2024-04-25 Severe (D2) to Moderate (D1) drought continues across north-central and northeast Wisconsin. 1 U.S. Drought Monitor Link to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor for [region] Drought intensity and Extent D2 (Severe Drought): Continues generally north and east of a line from Lac Du Flambeau to Rhinelander to east of Merrill to Green Bay to Two Creeks. D1 (Moderate Drought) and: D0: (Abnormally Dry): Continues generally south and west of a line from Lac Du Flambeau to Rhinelander to east of Merrill to Green Bay to Two Creeks. Recent Change in Drought Intensity Link to the latest 4-week change map for [region] Four Week Drought Monitor Class Change. Drought Worsened: Drought continued to worsen over the last few months, especially in September and October across the entire region. Rainfall totals from August through October were from 30 to 60 percent of normal at many locations across northeast WI. Some of the lowest percent of normal values include: Ephraim 27%, Argonne 30%, Crivitz High Falls 31%, Sturgeon Bay 33%, Oconto 39% and Florence 44%. The percent of normal values were higher over the remainder of the area due to some higher rainfall totals in August. No Change or Improvement: None. Precipitation The percent of normal values over the last month were lowest across north-central and northeast Wisconsin. Only a few spots in portions of central and east were closer to normal. For many locations, that last significant rainfall occurred on October 13-14 when one to two inches of rain fell over far northeast WI. Only a tenth or two fell across central WI. Temperature The 7 day (left image) and the 30 day temperature (right image) continued to show temperatures running 4F to 7F above normal. There will be a brief cool down on Oct 26-27 (still above normal), then temperatures will be well above normal through much of next week. Summary of Impacts Hydrologic Impacts The rivers across north-central and far northeast WI are running well below normal through late October. Agricultural Impacts There should be minimal impacts to agricultural interest since the main growing season is coming to an end. If the drought continues, it could impact the winter wheat yields. Fire Hazard Impacts There has been an increase in fire activity during the past few weeks, with a couple of fires burning 20 to 26 acres. The recent freeze has killed off vegetation, and with much of the area at peak or past peak in the fall foliage will result in falling leaves over the next week, which will result in dry fuels for any fires that develop. Other Impacts There are no known impacts at this time. Mitigation Actions Please refer to your municipality and/or water provider for mitigation information. If you plan on burning, please check the Wisconsin DNR website for any bans on burning. https://apps.dnr.wi.gov/wisburn/#/ Links: See/submit Condition Monitoring Observer Reports (CMOR) and view the Drought Impacts Reporter Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts Rivers across north-central and far northeast Wisconsin are running well below normal through the end of October. Little improvement is expected expected over north-central and central Wisconsin into the middle of November. Image Caption: USGS 7 day average streamflow HUC map valid 10 23 2024 Agricultural Impacts Well below normal rainfall in August through the latter half of October has led to significant deficits in soil moisture across northern Wisconsin, generally north of Highway 10. Yields from the corn and soybean crop may be reduced slightly due to the recent dry spell at the end of the growing season. Fire Hazard Impacts There is an increased risk of wildfires across north-central and far northeast Wisconsin, especially on days where it is unseasonably mild, windy along with low afternoon relative humidity into early November. Link to Wildfire Potential Outlooks from the National Interagency Coordination Center. Wisconsin Fire Danger Map Seven Day Precipitation Forecast There is potential for rainfall over the next week, but not enough to relieve the drought. Rapid Onset Drought Outlook Links to the latest Climate Prediction Center 8 to 14 day Temperature Outlook and Precipitation Outlook. Looking out for the next two weeks suggests that only minor changes in drought conditions across north-central and northeast WI. Long-Range Outlooks The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage There are greater chances for above normal temperatures during November. The climate models indicated a nearly equal chance of above, below or near normal precipitation during November. Drought Outlook The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage Drought is expected to persist through late fall, and possibly into early winter. There is a lot of uncertainty on how the drought conditions will evolve over the next month. Links to the latest: Climate Prediction Center Monthly Drought Outlook Climate Prediction Center Seasonal Drought Outlook