Drought Information Statement for Central and Northeast Wisconsin Valid September 10, 2026 Issued By: WFO Green Bay, WI Contact Information: nws.greenbay@noaa.gov This product will be updated around September 24, 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/grb/DroughtInformationStatement for previous statements. Please visit https://www.drought.gov/drought-status-updates/drought-status-update-midwest-2024-04-25 Extreme Drought (D3) continues across far southwest Vilas and extreme northwest Oneida counties. Severe Drought (D2) continues north and east of a line from Wausau to Argonne to Peshtigo, and portions of central Door County. The rest of the area was classified as Moderate Drought (D1) or Abnormally Dry (D0). Heavy rain during the past week brought improving conditions to portions of central and east-central WI. 1 U.S. Drought Monitor Link to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor for Midwest Drought intensity and Extent D3 (Extreme Drought): The far southwest portion of Vilas County and the extreme northwest corner of Oneida County. D2 (Severe Drought): Generally north and west of a Wausau to Argonne to Peshtigo line, as well as portions of central Door County. D1 (Moderate Drought): Portions of central into northeast WI. D0 (Abnormally Dry): A considerable area from central into east-central WI. No Category of Drought: None. Recent Change in Drought Intensity Link to the latest 4-week change map Four Week Drought Monitor Class Change. Drought Improvement: Heavy rainfall of 2 to 7 inches brought improving drought conditions across central into east-central WI. No Change: Portions of central and northeast WI. Worsening: Far north-central and far northeast WI. Precipitation The far north missed out on the heavy rain during the past week. Since August 1, Rest Lake has recorded 29% of normal rainfall with Florence at 32%. On Sep 3-4, heavy rainfall between 2 and 7 inches was reported over portions of central into east-central WI. bringing the 30 day departure back to or above normal. 30 Day Precipitation Accumulation (inches) 30 Day Percent of Normal Precipitation Temperature Temperature anomalies during the past week (left image) were running 4 to 8 degrees above normal. The 30 day temperature anomalies (right image) indicated temps were running 1 to 3 degrees above normal, with the greatest departures from normal across central into north-central WI. 7 Day Temperature Anomaly 30 Day Temperature Anomaly Summary of Impacts Hydrologic Impacts River levels and flows continue to run below normal for the first half of September across northern WI. River levels across north-central WI were so low that hydroelectric operations were being impacted. Agricultural Impacts Local farmers indicated that the corn, soybean and oat crops were extremely stressed by the dry conditions up until the recent rainfall across central into northeast WI. Fire Hazard Impacts The Significant Wildland Fire Potential is above normal across northern WI. The continued dry weather has brought a little higher potential for fires despite “green up”. If drier than normal conditions continue this fall, there would be an increased risk of fires especially on mild, windy days after a frost or freeze into early winter until a snowpack arrives. Other Impacts There are no known impacts at this time. Mitigation Actions Please refer to your municipality and/or water provider for mitigation information. Links: See/submit Condition Monitoring Observer Reports (CMOR) and view the Drought Impacts Reporter Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts Recent rain/snow and a few periods of snowmelt has streamflows near normal for late February. Image Caption: USGS 7 day average streamflow HUC map valid 2 17 2026 Agricultural Impacts The calculated soil moisture under the 30th percentile has shown worsening soil moisture trends across north-central and far northeast WI. Recent heavy rainfall between 2 and 7 inches brought soil moistures wetter than normal across portions of east-central WI. Agricultural Impacts The Crop Moisture Index indicated considerably dry soil moistures across the north where rainfall since August 1st is running at 29% of normal at Rest Lake and 32% of normal at Florence. Pockets of wetter than normal soil moistures are now occurring across portions of east-central WI where 2 to 7 inches of rain was reported on Sept 3-4. Fire Hazard Impacts The risk of wildland fires continues to run above normal due to the extremely dry conditions across across north-central and far northeast WI. If drought conditions continue or worsen, there would be an increased risk of wildfires through the fall, especially after a solid frost or freeze on mild windy days. Link to Wildfire Potential Outlooks from the National Interagency Coordination Center. Wisconsin Fire Danger Map Seven Day Precipitation Forecast A significant rainfall is expected Monday and Monday night (Sep 14-15) where over an inch of rain is likely in spots. Rapid Onset Drought Outlook Links to the latest Climate Prediction Center 8 to 14 day Temperature Outlook and Precipitation Outlook. There could be some improvement in the drought this week if rainfall amounts over an inch materialize Monday and Monday night (Sep 14-15). Long-Range Outlooks The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage There is a nearly equal chance for above, below or near normal rainfall in September. There is a greater chance for above normal temperatures in September. Slightly greater chances for above normal precipitation. Greater chances for below normal temperatures. Drought Outlook The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage The latest Drought Outlook for the fall is for drought to persist, especially across northern WI. Some improvement in the drought has already been seen across central and east-central WI. Some further improvement is possible this week if heavy rainfall materializes Monday and Monday night (Sep 14-15). Links to the latest: Climate Prediction Center Monthly Drought Outlook Climate Prediction Center Seasonal Drought Outlook