Drought — Portage, Wisconsin

2023-09-01 to 2023-09-30 · Portage, Wisconsin

Event narrative

At the beginning of the month, Extreme Drought (D3) was confined along the Waushara County line while the remainder of the southern two-thirds of the county was reported in Severe Drought (D2). Corn and soybean crops suffered damage after a 2nd heat wave in as many weeks on the 2nd through the 4th. Stevens Point topped out at 100F on the 3rd. Showers and thunderstorms brought much needed rain after the 22nd. Stevens Point recorded 4.11 inches of rain for the month, or 113 percent of normal. Nearly 70 percent of the rainfall for the month fell after the 22nd. On the 26th, Severe Drought (D2) was confined along the Waushara County line with the remainder of the county report in Moderate Drought (D1).

Wider weather episode

The drought which began during the summer continued into September. At the beginning of the month, Extreme (D3) to Severe Drought (D2) conditions prevailed across the southern two-thirds of Portage and Waupaca counties, all of Waushara County and the western two-thirds of Winnebago County. Thunderstorms brought 2 to 6 inches of rain to portions of the area which helped alleviate drought conditions. On the 26th, Severe Drought (D2) was only confined to far southern Portage and Waupaca counties, all of Waushara County and the western third of Winnebago County.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1141810. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.