Above normal precipitation at many locations in October helped to ease the drought across southern Wisconsin.  Several rounds of steady rain, as well as showers and a few thunderstorms, brought between 2.3 inches and 5.5 inches of rain to southern Wisconsin for the month.  Monthly surpluses ranged from around 0.25 inch to nearly 2.5 inches above normal, though locations in far southern Wisconsin still saw deficits between 0.02 of an inch and 0.43 of an inch.  The yearly precipitation deficits were still running between 4 and 8 inches below normal.  By the end of October improvement in the drought was observed over all of southern Wisconsin.  The far southern counties went from D3 (Extreme) down to D2 (Severe), with much of the South-central Wisconsin going from D2 (Severe) down to D1 (Moderate).  Much of Southeast Wisconsin, which generally saw the highest amounts of precipitation for the month, went from  D1 (Moderate) to either D0 (Abnormally Dry) or out of a drought category all together.  This trend is reflected in the attached image which addresses all of Wisconsin.  Monthly average temperatures for October were 1 to 2 degrees below normal.  Agricultural experts indicated that crop yields would be reduced.

Drought in RACINE, WISCONSIN
From 01-OCT-12 00:00:00 to 31-OCT-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in KENOSHA, WISCONSIN
From 01-OCT-12 00:00:00 to 31-OCT-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in GREEN LAKE, WISCONSIN
From 01-OCT-12 00:00:00 to 31-OCT-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in MARQUETTE, WISCONSIN
From 01-OCT-12 00:00:00 to 31-OCT-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in FOND DU LAC, WISCONSIN
From 01-OCT-12 00:00:00 to 16-OCT-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in SHEBOYGAN, WISCONSIN
From 01-OCT-12 00:00:00 to 16-OCT-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in SAUK, WISCONSIN
From 01-OCT-12 00:00:00 to 31-OCT-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in COLUMBIA, WISCONSIN
From 01-OCT-12 00:00:00 to 31-OCT-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in DODGE, WISCONSIN
From 01-OCT-12 00:00:00 to 31-OCT-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in WASHINGTON, WISCONSIN
From 01-OCT-12 00:00:00 to 31-OCT-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in OZAUKEE, WISCONSIN
From 01-OCT-12 00:00:00 to 31-OCT-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in IOWA, WISCONSIN
From 01-OCT-12 00:00:00 to 31-OCT-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in DANE, WISCONSIN
From 01-OCT-12 00:00:00 to 31-OCT-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in JEFFERSON, WISCONSIN
From 01-OCT-12 00:00:00 to 31-OCT-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in WAUKESHA, WISCONSIN
From 01-OCT-12 00:00:00 to 31-OCT-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN
From 01-OCT-12 00:00:00 to 31-OCT-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in LAFAYETTE, WISCONSIN
From 01-OCT-12 00:00:00 to 31-OCT-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in GREEN, WISCONSIN
From 01-OCT-12 00:00:00 to 31-OCT-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in ROCK, WISCONSIN
From 01-OCT-12 00:00:00 to 31-OCT-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in WALWORTH, WISCONSIN
From 01-OCT-12 00:00:00 to 31-OCT-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor