Drought Worsens in the Northeast: Agriculture at Risk

Northeast USA – A worsening drought severely damages local agriculture water supplies and increases the risk of wildfires. Between August 1 and October 15, rainfall totals ranged from 1.57 inches near Oelwein, Iowa, to 9.67 inches near Caledonia, Minnesota. With rainfall deficits of 1 to 8 inches and temperatures consistently 1 to 4°F above normal, large swathes of the region are experiencing drought conditions ranging from “abnormally dry” (D0) to “severe drought” (D2).

This prolonged dry spell is a concern for farmers and local residents and is beginning to impact the region’s waterways and increase the fire danger. As of the latest drought update, the affected areas include northeast Iowa, southeast Minnesota, and western Wisconsin, where the drought's impact has been especially harsh. These conditions are expected to persist into the coming months.

What’s Driving the Drought?

The ongoing drought can be traced back to early August when a combination of below-average rainfall and above-normal temperatures began stressing the region’s agricultural and natural resources. Rainfall deficits south of Interstate 90 are the most extreme, with some areas seeing 8 inches less rain than usual. This moisture shortage has been coupled with above-normal temperatures, adding to the severity of the drought.