Severe Drought Spreads in Minnesota and Wisconsin

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4:35 PM Thursday, October 10, 2024

The drought is intensifying and spreading throughout Minnesota and Wisconsin.

Latest drought monitor as of October 8, 2024.

Minnesota

  • Severe drought conditions now affect 19% of the state, a significant increase from 0% in the previous week.
  • The state is currently experiencing Moderate Drought conditions across 68% of its area, an increase from 43% the previous week.
  • 97% of Minnesota is currently experiencing abnormally dry conditions, an increase from 93% the previous week.

Note: Currently, only 2% of Minnesota is free from drought. Three months prior, the entire state was without drought conditions.

Wisconsin

  • Severe drought conditions have risen to 18% of the state, an increase from 8% the previous week.
  • Moderate Drought conditions now affect 44% of the state, an increase from 29% the previous week.
  • Ninety-nine percent of the state is currently experiencing Abnormally Dry conditions, an increase from eighty-one percent the previous week.

Note: Currently, only 0.43% of Wisconsin is not affected by drought. Three months prior, the entire state of Wisconsin was free from drought conditions.

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Most of northeast Minnesota and northwest Wisconsin have experienced precipitation shortfalls ranging from 2 to 3 inches in the past month. However, the International Falls area in extreme northern Minnesota is an exception, with a surplus of approximately half an inch of precipitation.

Total Precipitation and Departure from Normal for September 10 – October 10, 2024

Walker, MN: 0.19″, -3.13″ below normal
Duluth, MN: 0.24″, -3.13″ below normal
Hibbing, MN: 0.30″, -2.55″ below normal
Grand Marais, MN: 0.32″, -2.78″ below normal
Brainerd, MN: 0.61″, -2.09″ below normal
Superior, WI: 0.70″, -2.65″ below normal
International Falls, MN: 3.31″, +0.52″ above normal

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