Drought conditions returned to parts of south-central and southeast Wisconsin during the month of August, 2003,  The jet stream and associated low pressure systems stayed north of Wisconsin, resulting in few cold front passages.  Conditions worsened from abnormally dry (D0 rating) to a moderate drought (D1 rating) as the month progressed.  This drought continued into September, 2003, and ultimately reached the severe category (D2).  Crop and fruit tree farms without irrigation capability were especially affected.  Corn, soybeans, and alfalfa hay crops were severely stressed thanks to many sunny days with warm to hot temperatures in the 80s and 90s.  In addition, ornamental flowers and many trees were severely stressed across south-central and southeast Wisconsin.  Some trees, especially young ones, dropped their leaves.  Harvest yields were expected to be severely reduced.  In Lafayette County, farmers were expected to experience 35 to 40% damage to corn, 50% to damage to soybeans, and 35% damage to the hay crop.  In general, there was no 3rd hay drop which is normally harvested in August.  In addition, some farmers by late August chopped corn for silage much earlier than normal; and some chopped soybeans for silage as well - a very rare occurrence.  Crop damage may reach into the millions of dollars once the harvest is completed. Many locations received less than 1.00 inches of rain, and several spots had less than one-half of an inch.  Only 0.57 fell at Milwaukee Mitchell Field (Milwaukee Co.) during August, and during the period of August 9-24 no measurable rain was recorded at this location. For the period of Jan 1, 2003 through August 31, 2003, only 13.17 inches of precipitation was recorded at Mitchell Field, or 10.97 inches below normal.  The month of May, 2003, was the only month at Mitchell Field with above normal rainfall for 2003 through the end of August, 2003. Things weren't much better in the Madison (Dane Co.) area, where only 0.87 inch of rain fell for the month at Truax Field.  Both the Milwaukee and Madison August monthly rainfall totals were 3.46 inches below normal.  The hottest day of the 2003 summer for Milwaukee occurred on August 21st when 96 degrees was recorded.  Madison topped out at 94 on the 26th.  Milwaukee experienced 6 days during the month with maximum temperatures of 90 or higher, while Madison came in with 7 days.  Milwaukee's average August monthly temperature was 73.3 degrees, or 2.7 above normal, while Madison averaged 71.9 degrees which was 2.8 above normal.  Looking back into July, 2003, the dry pattern set in on July 16th.  Thereafter, very little rain occurred.  The 3-month summer period of June-July-August 2003 was the driest in 3 decades in West Bend (Washington Co.), where only 5.11 inches fell (7.82 inches below normal).  Similar conditions were experienced throughout southern Wisconsin.  This drought continued into September, 2003.

Drought in COLUMBIA, WISCONSIN
From 01-AUG-03 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-03 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC

Drought in DODGE, WISCONSIN
From 01-AUG-03 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-03 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC

Drought in IOWA, WISCONSIN
From 01-AUG-03 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-03 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC

Drought in DANE, WISCONSIN
From 01-AUG-03 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-03 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC

Drought in JEFFERSON, WISCONSIN
From 01-AUG-03 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-03 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC

Drought in WAUKESHA, WISCONSIN
From 01-AUG-03 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-03 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC

Drought in MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN
From 01-AUG-03 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-03 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC

Drought in LAFAYETTE, WISCONSIN
From 01-AUG-03 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-03 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC

Drought in GREEN, WISCONSIN
From 01-AUG-03 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-03 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC

Drought in ROCK, WISCONSIN
From 01-AUG-03 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-03 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC

Drought in WALWORTH, WISCONSIN
From 01-AUG-03 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-03 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC

Drought in RACINE, WISCONSIN
From 01-AUG-03 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-03 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC

Drought in KENOSHA, WISCONSIN
From 01-AUG-03 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-03 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC

Drought in WASHINGTON, WISCONSIN
From 01-AUG-03 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-03 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC

Drought in OZAUKEE, WISCONSIN
From 01-AUG-03 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-03 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC