Several storms through the first half of August in parts of western and central Wisconsin provided one half to 3 inches of rainfall, abating any initial expansion of the ongoing severe (D2) to extreme drought (D3). Through the latter half of August, total rain fall remained at or below 1 inch, which was 1 to 3 inches below normal. This resulted in expansion of the severe and extreme drought areas, affecting approximately 70 percent of the local area. Farmers reported variable crop conditions with overall yields 15 to 30 percent of normal. Well below normal cuttings of hay resulted in farmers having to purchase feed for livestock. As as a result of the inclement growing conditions, the United States Department of Agriculture issued disaster declarations for western Wisconsin. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources reported an increase in wildfires attributed to the ongoing drought as 6 times as many acres had already been consumed by wildfires compared to the same time the previous year.

Drought in JUNEAU, WISCONSIN
From 01-AUG-23 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-23 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Ongoing drier than normal conditions, comprised of 7 consecutive weeks of at least severe drought, worsened to extreme drought (D3) for nearly all of Juneau County through August. Total monthly rainfall near 2 inches was 2 to 3 inches below normal, or 20 to 50% of normal total monthly rainfall. By the end of August, extreme drought (D3)  expanded, impacting 35% of Juneau County or 523 square miles.

Drought in GRANT, WISCONSIN
From 01-AUG-23 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-23 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Ongoing drier than normal conditions, comprised of 7 consecutive weeks of at least severe drought (D2), worsened to extreme drought (D3) for nearly all of Grant County through August. During the first half of August, 1 to 2.5 inches of rain fell across Grant County, abating significant spread of ongoing severe and extreme drought. Under 1.5 inches of rain fell during the second half of August, up to 2 inches below normal, resulting in at extreme drought (D3) for 52% or 608 square miles of Grant County. The United States Department of Agriculture declared Grant County as a contiguous natural disaster area due to the drought on August 17th.

Drought in CRAWFORD, WISCONSIN
From 01-AUG-23 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-23 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Ongoing drier than normal conditions, comprised of 7 consecutive weeks of at least severe drought (D2), worsened to extreme drought (D3) for the entirety of Crawford County through August. Monthly rainfall total neared 1 inch, which mostly fell in the first half of August. The monthly rainfall total was at least 2.5 inches below normal, or 10 to 50% of normal. Through the latter half of August, extreme drought (D3) expanded through the western half of Crawford County, impacting all 594 square miles of the county. The United States Department of Agriculture declared Crawford County as a contiguous natural disaster area due to the drought on August 17th.

Drought in VERNON, WISCONSIN
From 01-AUG-23 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-23 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Ongoing drier than normal conditions, comprised of 7 consecutive weeks of at least severe drought (D2), worsened for the entirety of Vernon County through August. Total monthly rainfall neared 1 inch, which mostly fell during the first half of August. This monthly rainfall total was at least 2 inches below normal, or 10 to 50% of average. Through the latter half of August, extreme drought (D3) expanded through the western half of Vernon County, impacting the entire county at one point.  The United States Department of Agriculture declared Vernon County as a contiguous natural disaster area due to the drought on August 17th.

Drought in RICHLAND, WISCONSIN
From 01-AUG-23 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-23 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Ongoing drier than normal conditions, comprised of 7 consecutive weeks of at least severe drought (D2), continued as extreme drought (D3) for the entirety of Richland County through August. Monthly rainfall totals were 1.5 to 2 inches, approximately 2 to 3 inches below normal for the time period. A local farmer reported county wide impacts to pastures and very poor cuttings of hay.

Drought in MONROE, WISCONSIN
From 01-AUG-23 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-23 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Ongoing drier than normal conditions, comprised of 6 consecutive weeks of at least severe drought, worsened to extreme drought (D3) for nearly half of Monroe County through August. Total monthly rainfall neared 1 inch, which mostly fell during the first half of August. This monthly rainfall total was at least 2.5 inches below normal, or 10 to 50% of average. Through the latter half of August, extreme drought (D3) expanded north into central Monroe County, ultimately impacting all 413 square miles or 45% of the county.

Drought in ADAMS, WISCONSIN
From 01-AUG-23 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-23 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Ongoing drier than normal conditions, comprised of 7 consecutive weeks of at least severe drought, worsened to extreme drought (D3) for nearly all of Adams County through August. Total monthly rainfall near 2 inches was approximately 2 inches below average, or approximately half of normal monthly rainfall totals. By the end of August, extreme drought (D3) expanded, impacting roughly 76% of Adams County or 518 square miles. The United States Department of Agriculture declared Adams County as a contiguous natural disaster area due to the drought on August 17th.

Drought in LA CROSSE, WISCONSIN
From 03-AUG-23 06:00:00 to 31-AUG-23 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drier than normal conditions resulted in at least severe drought (D2) conditions for nearly all of La Crosse County through August. Total monthly rainfall neared 1.5 inches, which mostly fell during the first half of August. This monthly rainfall total was at least 2.5 inches below normal, or 25 to 50% of average. By the end of August, 407 square miles, or 85% of the County experienced at least severe drought (D2) of which 96 square miles, or 20% of the county experienced extreme drought (D3). The United States Department of Agriculture declared La Crosse County as a contiguous natural disaster area due to the drought on August 10th.