LA CROSSE, Wisconsin (WXOW) - Prolonged dryness from late last summer through the winter has lead to abnormally dry conditions across the region, including a level 3 severe drought in much of southern Minnesota.
However, from April 17th through April 24th, between one and three inches of rain fell across portions of Wisconsin, Iowa, and Minnesota. On April 19th alone, 1.6 inches of rain fell in the La Crosse area. This is just short of half the total precipitation (3.34 inches) seen normally during the month of April. As April comes to an end, La Crosse has seen .33 inches more rain this month than average.
This has lead drought conditions to improve in Fillmore, Winneshiek, Houston, and La Crosse counties. River flow along the Mississippi has increased back to normal, and soil moisture has improved.
Despite these improvements, many locations in our region are still seeing a deficit of over 4 inches of rain, and abnormally dry to moderate drought conditions still remain across much of the Coulee region. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration anticipates the lingering drought conditions in west central Wisconsin and southern Minnesota will persist through the end of July with some improvement as we head into the summer months. Burning bans will also remain in effect until further notice.
*Data courtesy of the La Crosse National Weather Service
