Drought in Wisconsin, September 1 to 30, 2023

Ongoing drier than normal conditions, comprised of 7 consecutive weeks of extreme drought (D3), expanded in Adams County through September. Through September 11th, approximately a quarter inch of rainfall resulted in 50% below normal topsoil moisture. The increased longevity of abnormally dry conditions decreased water levels along the Wisconsin River to 10% of normal, marooning and killing many mussels along its banks. A series of storms provided 2 to 4 inches of rainfall during the second half of September, up to 2 inches above normal for the time period. This above normal rainfall lessened drought severity to extreme (D2) across the county. Due to the drought, the United States Department of Agriculture had declared Adams County as a primary natural disaster area on July 25th and a contiguous natural disaster area on August 10th and September 13th.

Ongoing drier than normal conditions, comprised of 8 weeks of extreme drought (D3), worsened to exceptional drought (D4) through the middle of September for nearly all of Crawford County. Rainfall totals under a a quarter of an inch through September 11th were up to 1.5 inches below normal for the time period. Resultant topsoil moistures neared 50% below normal. Farmers in Gays Mills reported drastically increased irrigation to keep fruit trees and vines alive. The increased longevity of abnormally dry conditions also decreased water levels along the Wisconsin River to 10% of normal, marooning and killing many mussels along its banks. Through the second half of the month, a series of storms provided multiple days of heavy rainfall up to 4 inches, which was up to 2 inches above normal for the time period. This above normal rainfall resulted in removal of the exceptional drought (D4), though extreme drought (D3) continued for much of Crawford County through the end of September. The United States Department of Agriculture had declared Crawford County as a primary natural disaster area due to the drought on July 25th.

Ongoing drier than normal conditions, comprised of 8 weeks of extreme drought (D3), continued through the middle of September for nearly all of Grant County. Highly variable rainfall totals ranged from a tenth of an inch in northern Grant County along the Wisconsin River Valley to more than 1 inch along the Iowa/Illinois border. The resultant departures from normal varied from near normal to 1.5 inches below normal for the time period. Resultant topsoil moistures were 20 to 50% below normal. Volunteer observers reported variable crop conditions across Grant County, including some stunted to wilted crops. The need for increased irrigation to maintain healthy crops was apparent. The increased longevity of abnormally dry conditions also decreased water levels along the Wisconsin River to 10% of normal, marooning and killing many mussels along its banks. Through the second half of the month, a series of storms provided 2 to 4 inches of rainfall, up to 2 inches above normal for the time period. This above normal rainfall resulted in removal of the exceptional drought (D4) from the northern part of the county, though extreme drought (D3) to severe drought (D2) continued for most of the county through the end of September. Due to the drought, the United States Department of Agriculture had declared Grant County as a primary natural disaster area on July 25th and a contiguous natural disaster area on August 17th.

Ongoing drier than normal conditions continued through the middle of September for all of Jackson County. Rainfall totals under a tenth of an inch through September 11th were up to 1.5 inches below normal. Resultant topsoil moistures we 50% below normal. Through the second half of the month, a series of storms provided multiple days of heavy rain resulting in up to 6 inches of rainfall, which was up to 3 inches above normal for the time period. This above normal rainfall resulted in only moderate drought (D1) to a sliver of severe drought (D2) across southern Jackson County by late September. Due to the drought, the United States Department of Agriculture declared Jackson County as a primary natural disaster area on September 13th and a contiguous natural disaster area on July 25th.

Ongoing drier than normal conditions, comprised of 8 weeks of extreme drought (D3), expanded and continued through the middle of September for nearly all of Juneau County. Rainfall totals under a quarter of an inch through September 11th were 1.5 inches below normal. Resultant topsoil moistures were 50% below normal. The increased longevity of abnormally dry conditions decreased water levels along the Wisconsin River to 10% of normal, marooning and killing many mussels along its banks. Through the second half of the month, a series of storms provided multiple days of heavy rain, resulting approximately 3 inches of rain. These rainfall totals were up to 2 inches above normal for the time period. This above normal rainfall resulted in removal of nearly all of the extreme drought (D3) except for far southwest Juneau County, with severe drought (D2) persisting elsewhere through the end of September. Due to the drought, the United States Department of Agriculture declared Juneau County as a primary natural disaster area on July 25th and a contiguous natural disaster area on August 17th and September 13th.

Ongoing drier than normal conditions classified by severe (D2) to extreme (D3) drought continued through the middle of September for all of La Crosse County. Rainfall totals under a tenth of an inch through September 11th were up to 1.5 inches below normal for the time period. Resultant topsoil moistures were 50 to 70% below normal. The Holmen and Onalaska Fire Departments issued burn and firework bans through Labor Day weekend due to the incredibly dry grasses. Through the second half of the month, a series of storms provided multiple days of heavy rain, totaling 3 to 6 inches. These totals neared 3 inches above normal in spots for the time period. This above normal rainfall resulted in removal of the extreme drought (D3), though moderate (D1) to severe (D2) drought persisted across the entire county through the end of September. The United States Department of Agriculture declared La Crosse County as a primary natural disaster area on September 13th due to the ongoing drought.

Ongoing drier than normal conditions, comprised of 8 consecutive weeks of at least extreme drought (D3), encompassed most of Monroe County at the start of September. Through September 11th less than a quarter of an inch of rain had fallen, resulting in 50% below normal top soil moistures. The result was expansion of the extreme drought (D3) as well as a sliver of southern Monroe County worsening to exceptional drought (D4). A series of storms provided 3 to 6 inches of rainfall during the second half of September, up to 4 inches above normal for the time period. This above normal rainfall removed the exceptional drought (D4) and shrunk the extreme drought (D3) area to southern Monroe County. Severe drought (D2) persisted across most of the rest of the county through the end of the month. Due to the drought, the United States Department of Agriculture declared Monroe County as a primary natural disaster area on July 25th and and a contiguous natural disaster area on September 13th.

Ongoing drier than normal conditions, comprised of 8 weeks of at least extreme drought (D3), worsened to exceptional drought (D4) for parts of Richland County at the start of September. Rainfall totals under a quarter of an inch through September 11th were 1.5 inches below normal for the time period. The resultant topsoil moisture was 50% below normal. Volunteer observers reported widespread impacts to pastures and crops throughout Richland County. Reports included very limited pasture growth for grazing livestock, forcing farmers to acquire supplemental feed. The extremely dry soils created difficulties for ground work, as the clay became impenetrable. The increased longevity of abnormally dry conditions also decreased water levels along the Wisconsin River to 10% of normal, marooning and killing many mussels along its banks. Through the second half of the month, a series of storms provided multiple days of heavy rain with totals nearing 3 inches in spots, up to 3 inches above normal for the time period. This above normal rainfall resulted in downgrading of the exceptional drought (D4) area to extreme drought (D3), with severe drought (D2) persisting across the remainder of the county through late September. Due to the drought, the United States Department of Agriculture declared Richland County as a primary natural disaster area on July 25th.

Ongoing drier than normal conditions, comprised of 8 weeks of extreme drought (D3), worsened to exceptional drought (D4) across much of Vernon County through mid-September. Rainfall totals under a tenth of an inch through September 11th were near 1.5 inches below normal for the time period. Resultant topsoil moistures were 50% below normal. Volunteer observers reported widespread very dry conditions, exacerbated along the Kickapoo River Valley with very low water levels. Some fire departments issued bans on fires and fireworks. Through the second half of the month, a series of storms provided multiple days of heavy rain, totaling 3 to 6 inches across Vernon County. These totals neared 3 inches above normal in spots for the time period. The above normal rainfall resulted in downgrading of the exceptional drought (D4) to extreme drought (D3), with severe drought (D2) persisting elsewhere through the end of September. Due to the drought, the United States Department of Agriculture declared Vernon County as a primary natural disaster area on July 25th and a contiguous natural disaster area on September 13th.