Wisconsin Ag Connection - U.S Drought Monitor: 90-Percent of Wisconsin Too Dry

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U.S Drought Monitor: 90-Percent of Wisconsin Too Dry
Wisconsin Ag Connection - 09/07/2012

It appears Wisconsin's overall drought status has gotten a bit worse over the past week. On Thursday, the U.S. Drought Monitor updated its national map, which colored Wisconsin a bit more orange with 88.8 percent of the state now in some stage of drought. That figure was closer to 50 percent a week earlier.

Fortunately, no part of the Badger State is in exceptional drought. The federal agency says its map reflects the state of the nation's drought condition as of Tuesday, so the showers that fell earlier this week would not have been factored into the weekly update.

Bayfield, Burnett and Douglas Counties, along with most of Washburn County, are the only areas outside the drought area. Thirty-two counties are considered 'abnormally dry,' with the southern half of the state now in a 'moderate' or 'severe' drought. Lafayette and Green counties, and parts of Grant, Iowa, Dane, Rock, Walworth, Kenosha, and Racine, are in the 'extreme drought' status, according to the map.

Throughout the Midwest, drought conditions eased somewhat after Hurricane Isaac dumped some rain into the region last week. But some type of drought now covers about 78 percent of the lower 48 states, which is just a 0.2 percent point improvement over a week ago.

Forecasters say some shower activity is expected in parts of Wisconsin on Friday. But dry and mild weather is expected into next week.

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