Drought sees slight improvements into October

Brandon Weatherz WDIO

Following significant improvements in the September 28 U.S. Drought Monitor report, less impressive gains were found at the end of September into the start of October.

The USDM is a joint effort by National Drought Mitigation Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. It is updated on Thursday mornings with data from observations made at 7 a.m. CST on Tuesdays.

Drought intensity is measured in increments from D0 to D4:

  • D0 = Abnormally Dry
  • D1 = Moderate Drought
  • D2 = Severe Drought
  • D3 = Extreme Drought
  • D4 = Exceptional Drought

Thursday’s report brought one-category improvement to parts of east central Minnesota into northwest Wisconsin. An area of Burnett County including Siren is now in abnormally dry conditions (D0). D0 still extends from the Twin Ports across much of the Minnesota Arrowhead.

Moderate to severe drought (D1 to D2) continues across the rest of northern Minnesota, northwest Wisconsin, and into the U.P. in Gogebic County and Ontonagon County.

There are still two areas in the region experiencing extreme drought (D3). This includes parts of northern Cass County in Minnesota and parts of east central Price County in Wisconsin.

The week ahead is expected to feature below normal precipitation. Check the forecast here.