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Current U.S. Drought Monitor Conditions for Wisconsin

The U.S. Drought Monitor (USDM) is updated each Thursday to show the location and intensity of drought across the country. This map shows drought conditions across Wisconsin using a five-category system, from Abnormally Dry (D0) conditions to Exceptional Drought (D4). The USDM is a joint effort of the National Drought Mitigation Center, USDA, and NOAA. Learn more.

The following state-specific drought impacts were compiled by the National Drought Mitigation Center. While these impacts are not exhaustive, they can help provide a clearer picture of drought in Wisconsin. 

D0 - Abnormally Dry
  • Pasture and row crops are stressed
  • Burn bans are implemented
  • Lawns are brown; landscape and gardens require more frequent watering
0.0
of WI
(D0–D4)
D1 - Moderate Drought
  • Hay prices are high; people are selling horses
0.0
of WI
(D1–D4)
D2 - Severe Drought
  • Crop yields are down; pasture growth is sparse; livestock are removed from grazing
  • Water use is high; groundwater pumping increases
0.0
of WI
(D2–D4)
D3 - Extreme Drought
  • Producers feed cattle supplemental hay
  • Agriculture economic losses are reported statewide
  • Streamflow is reduced; water temperatures are warm; oxygen content is low
0.0
of WI
(D3–D4)
D4 - Exceptional Drought
  • Wisconsin has experienced little or no exceptional (D4) drought, so there are no D4-level drought impacts recorded in the Drought Impact Reporter.
0
of WI
(D4)
D0 - Abnormally Dry
  • Pasture and row crops are stressed
  • Burn bans are implemented
  • Lawns are brown; landscape and gardens require more frequent watering
1.0
of WI
(D0–D4)
D1 - Moderate Drought
  • Hay prices are high; people are selling horses
0.0
of WI
(D1–D4)
D2 - Severe Drought
  • Crop yields are down; pasture growth is sparse; livestock are removed from grazing
  • Water use is high; groundwater pumping increases
0.0
of WI
(D2–D4)
D3 - Extreme Drought
  • Producers feed cattle supplemental hay
  • Agriculture economic losses are reported statewide
  • Streamflow is reduced; water temperatures are warm; oxygen content is low
0.0
of WI
(D3–D4)
D4 - Exceptional Drought
  • Wisconsin has experienced little or no exceptional (D4) drought, so there are no D4-level drought impacts recorded in the Drought Impact Reporter.
0
of WI
(D4)
D0 - Abnormally Dry
  • Pasture and row crops are stressed
  • Burn bans are implemented
  • Lawns are brown; landscape and gardens require more frequent watering
3.0
of WI
(D0–D4)
D1 - Moderate Drought
  • Hay prices are high; people are selling horses
2.0
of WI
(D1–D4)
D2 - Severe Drought
  • Crop yields are down; pasture growth is sparse; livestock are removed from grazing
  • Water use is high; groundwater pumping increases
0.0
of WI
(D2–D4)
D3 - Extreme Drought
  • Producers feed cattle supplemental hay
  • Agriculture economic losses are reported statewide
  • Streamflow is reduced; water temperatures are warm; oxygen content is low
0.0
of WI
(D3–D4)
D4 - Exceptional Drought
  • Wisconsin has experienced little or no exceptional (D4) drought, so there are no D4-level drought impacts recorded in the Drought Impact Reporter.
0
of WI
(D4)
0
people in Wisconsin are affected by drought
0
counties with USDA disaster designations
5th
wettest February was in 2023, over the past 129 years
4th
wettest year to date was in 2023, over the past 129 years

Explore Drought Conditions by City and County

Summary

View up-to-date drought conditions down to the city and county level, including temperature, and precipitation conditions, key drought indicators, outlooks, historical conditions, and water supply, agriculture, and public health maps.

View Conditions by City:
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Drought in Wisconsin from 2000–Present

The U.S. Drought Monitor started in 2000. Since 2000, the longest duration of drought (D1–D4) in Wisconsin lasted 108 weeks beginning on August 26, 2008, and ending on September 14, 2010. The most intense period of drought occurred the week of July 24, 2012, where D3 affected 19.69% of Wisconsin land.

The U.S. Drought Monitor (USDM) is a national map released every Thursday, showing parts of the U.S. that are in drought. The USDM relies on drought experts to synthesize the best available data and work with local observers to interpret the information. The USDM also incorporates ground truthing and information about how drought is affecting people, via a network of more than 450 observers across the country, including state climatologists, National Weather Service staff, Extension agents, and hydrologists. Learn more.

Time Period (Years): to