Drought Information Statement for Central/Southern MN and Western WI
Valid September 17, 2026
Issued By: National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen, MN
Contact Information: nws.twincities@noaa.gov
This product will be updated October 15, 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 continued to expand across eastern Minnesota and western Wisconsin. 
Minor improvements across portions of Goodhue, southern Dakota, and eastern Rice Counties.

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

D3 (Extreme Drought): Portions of Rusk and Pierce Counties in WI. Portions of Hennepin, Ramsey, Washington, Dakota, and Goodhue Counties in MN.

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 portions central and eastern MN along with west central and northwest WI.
 
No Change: Much of west central, south central, and southeast MN.

Drought Improved: Portions of southern Goodhue County and portions of Todd and Morrison Counties.
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Precipitation
Continued dryness has occurred over the last 30 days across central MN, with large portions of the Twin Cities metro into west central MN seeing less than 50% of normal rainfall. 
This 30 day dryness bleeds into the last 3 months as well.
This dry signal at 30 and 90 days quickly flips to above normal precipitation along the I-90 corridor in 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 across portions of the region.

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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, nearly 80% of soybean, corn, and pasture conditions in MN and WI are rated as Fair to Good (3 to 4 out of 5). (State USDA Crop Reports)

Fire Hazard Impacts
Enough rain has been observed in September to keep fire dangers low in MN and WI. (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 continue to run well below normal from the Mississippi headwaters 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 80% 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
Given occasional rains we have seen in MN and WI in September, we’ve been able to keep fire dangers reduced. 
However, we are now getting into the start of the traditional fall fire season for MN and WI.

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Seven Day Precipitation Forecast
Over the next 7 days, beneficial rain is expected across southern half of MN and WI.
For the end of September, there is a slight favoring toward above normal precipitation over much of MN.


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Long-Range Outlooks
The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage
For October, there is no strong signal toward above or below precipitation across MN and WI.
Slight favoring for above normal temperatures for October across the region.

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Drought Outlook
Continued improvement in drought across eastern MN and western WI as we move through the fall.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

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