Drought Information Statement for Central/Southern MN and Western WI
Valid August 20, 2026
Issued By: National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen, MN
Contact Information: nws.twincities@noaa.gov
This product will be updated September 17, 2026 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.
Drought continues to expand across eastern Minnesota and western Wisconsin. 
Beneficial rain and some improvements to drought conditions since the end of July have been seen along the upper Minnesota River Valley

U.S. Drought Monitor


Drought intensity and Extent
D4 (Exceptional Drought): No areas locally

D3 (Extreme Drought): Small portion of northern Rusk county in WI

D2 (Severe Drought): Central MN into the St. Croix River valley.

D1 (Moderate Drought): West central and southwest MN and from Alexandria into the Twin Cities metro area

D0: (Abnormally Dry): South central MN and up along the upper MN River Valley
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Recent Change in Drought Intensity

Four Week Drought Monitor Class Change. 
Drought Worsened: Across central and eastern MN along with west central and northwest WI.
 
No Change: Small portions of west central, south central, and southeast MN.

Drought Improved: Along the upper MN River valley and along the I-90 corridor in south central MN.
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Precipitation
Intense dryness has occurred over the last 30 days north of the I-94 corridor, with large portions of northwest and western WI seeing less than 25% of normal rainfall. 
This 30 day dryness bleeds into the last 3 months as well.
This dry signal quickly flips to above normal precipitation along the upper MN River valley into south central MN.


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Temperature
Any dryness that has been observed over the last 30 days has been accompanied by slightly above normal temperatures as well.
Above normal temperatures and below normal rainfall has helped the drought spread.

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Summary of Impacts

Hydrologic Impacts 
Very low stream flows are being observed in the upper MS River and St. Croix River valleys. (USGS Streamflows, MN Streamflow)

Agricultural Impacts
Although soil moisture is drying out, crop conditions remain in fairly good condition in both MN and WI. (State USDA Crop Reports)

Fire Hazard Impacts
Rains have reduced fire danger across northern MN, but building dryness in northern WI has led to increased fire danger there. (MN Fire Danger, WI Fire Danger)

Other Impacts
No known additional impacts at this time.

Mitigation Actions
There are currently no known abnormal mitigation measures implemented


Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts
Stream flows are now running well below normal from the Mississippi headwaters and MN Arrowhead, southeast into the St. Croix valley and western WI

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Agricultural Impacts
Soil moisture continues to dry out across much of the region, with greatest moisture stress seen across central MN into northwest WI.
Despite these dry conditions, over 85% of corn and soybean crops in MN and WI are rated as fair or better.
More points if you need them
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Fire Hazard Impacts
Enough rains since the end of July has been observed in MN to greatly reduce the fire danger in the state.
The lack of rain across northwest WI has lead to increasing fire danger in that portion of the state




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Seven Day Precipitation Forecast
Over the next 7 days, not significant amounts of precipitation are expected to alter the current drought
For the end of August and start of September, there is a slight favoring toward above normal precipitation over much of MN, though not enough rain to significantly modify the drought is not expected.




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Long-Range Outlooks
The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage
For September, drier than normal conditions are favored across northern MN and WI
There is no clear signal for above or below normal temperatures in September

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Drought Outlook
The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage
Little change in drought conditions are expected through the fall.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

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