Drought Information Statement for Central and Southern Minnesota and Western Wisconsin Valid May 22, 2025 Issued By: NWS Twin Cities / Chanhassen, MN Contact Information: This product will be updated June 19, 2025 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/MPX/DroughtInformationStatement for previous statements. Please visit https://www.drought.gov/drought-status-updates/ for regional drought status updates. We continue to receive just enough rain to continue to slowly chip away at drought conditions Drought intensity and Extent D1 (Moderate Drought): Southwest Lac Qui Parle County and western Yellow Medicine County in west central Minnesota D0 (Abnormally Dry): South central, west central and central Minnesota, and northwest Wisconsin 1-week Change Map Some improvements occurred in the past week, though over the last month, it has been a mix of minor improvements and degradation Recent Change in Drought Intensity. 1-month and 3-month percent of normal precipitation Precipitation Departures Near normal precipitation has been observed the last month and 3 months. This is a main reason we’ve seen only marginal changes to the drought status across the region this Spring. 1-week and 1-month temperature departure Prior to our run of cold and rainy weather May 19-21, we had been experiencing unseasonably warm temperatures through the first half of May before. These warmer temperatures and increased evaporation have meant our near normal precipitation has not been able to completely ameliorate the drought. Summary of Impacts Links: See/submit Condition Monitoring Observer Reports (CMOR) and view the Drought Impacts Reporter Hydrologic Impacts River and lake levels across the region are all running near normal (USGS Streamflow). Agricultural Impacts The dry weather through the first half of May allowed for most planting to be completed before the rains of May 19-21 hit. Recent rains will be very beneficial to getting the agriculture growing season going. (State USDA Crop Reports). Fire Hazard Impacts Before the rains, fire danger was very high across the region, with multiple Red Flag Warnings for high fire danger May 10th-13th (MN Fire Danger, WI Fire Danger). On May 10th, there was a 150 acre wildfire near Granite Falls, Minnesota. Soaking rains May 19-21 have effectively ended the Spring fire season for central and southern Minnesota and western Wisconsin. Other Impacts No known additional impacts. Mitigation Actions None Currently in place. Average streamflow for the past 7 days Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts Rivers are near normal, though still rising from the rainfall that occurred between May 19th and 21st. Fire Hazard Impacts Recent rains have shut down the Spring fire season across central and southern Minnesota and western Wisconsin. High fire danger still remains in northeast Minnesota, which did not receive any rain during the May 19-21 soaking rain event. Seven Day Precipitation Forecast After three wet days between the 19th and 21st, the rest of May looks dry, with the storm track remaining south of the region. June Outlooks The latest weekly to seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage As we head into June, a hot ridge of high pressure is expected to build over the Rockies. Heat from this ridge will get pulled toward Minnesota and Wisconsin, which leads to the favoring for above normal temperatures in June. There is no strong signal for above or below normal precipitation, with equal chances of near, above, and below normal precipitation currently highlighted for Minnesota and Wisconsin in June. Drought Outlook The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage With above normal temperatures expected to build in through June, and no strong signal for above normal precipitation, drought conditions are expected to persist and develop across western Minnesota as we head into the Summer Drought Definitions and State Resources What do those categories mean? Drought Category Definitions: Comprehensive Drought Information for Minnesota: http://www.drought.gov/state/minnesota Comprehensive Drought Information for Wisconsin: http://www.drought.gov/state/wisconsin These sites contain links to resources from each state, to help you dive into drought information in more detail.