Weather and climate conditions this week in Wisconsin
Here are this week’s take-home points about the weather. As a reminder, AgWOW reports will be published weekly throughout the growing season. Scroll down for the full report.
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Key Points
Recent Conditions
- Temperatures were seasonal last week, as most locations were within -/+2°F of normal. However, there were a few days with heat indices topping 100°F.
- The western half of Wisconsin received little to no rainfall last week. Folks further east received totals that ranged from 0.5-2”, with localized regions of over 2”.
- The past 30 days have been drier and warmer than normal across most of Wisconsin.
Impact
- Wisconet stations across the state saw decreased moisture levels down to the 20-inch depth. Stations across western Wisconsin saw no accumulated rainfall last week.
- Satellite-based soil moisture estimates indicate that most of Wisconsin now has soils that are much drier than what is normal for late July. The worst dryness, according to these estimates, is in east central and northern counties.
- With the continued dryness, most of the state (92%) is now in the D0 category, with D1-D4 coverage up to 40%. D1 drought is common across the north, east central, and southeast.
- The continued dryness has allowed for winter wheat and oat harvest to progress, but corn and soybean conditions are starting to decline due in part to the dryness. Pasture and range conditions also declined from last week’s report.
Outlook
- Rain chances over the next seven days are highest along the Illinois state line, with decreasing chances further north.
- The early-to-mid August outlook indicates a lean towards above-normal temperatures and near-normal precipitation statewide.
- The outlook for August indicates uncertainty about temperatures and precipitation with equal chances for above, near, or below normal conditions.
- Late summer through mid-fall (Aug.-Oct.) indicate a slight lean (33-40% odds) towards below normal precipitation. Below normal precipitation is a bit more likely in the far north (40-50% odds).
Agronomic, Fruit, and Vegetable Considerations
Field Conditions
- A majority of the state is dry. Crop pollination is a critical time for moisture. Watch for signs of drought stress.
Forage Management
- Second crop and third crop hay are being harvested depending on area in the state. Consider using a PEAQ (Predictive Equations for Alfalfa Quality) stick to estimate relative feed value as you decide when to make each cut.
- Scout for potato leafhopper in alfalfa fields. Watch for hopper burn.
- Read about managing mycotoxins in silage corn mid-season to produce a clean silage crop.
Pest Management
- Scout fields to note what weed species are emerging or have escaped herbicide application.
- Western bean cutworm trapping has begun for the season. Check DATCP trap catches. Scout for egg masses and small larvae on corn. Scout any field that is 90-95% tasseled.
- Scout sweet corn for corn earworm.
- Japanese beetles are starting to emerge. Homeowners have noted larger populations in lawns and gardens this year. Check beyond field edges.
- Corn rootworm larvae are feeding on corn roots now. Conduct a root dig to assess damage. Northern and Western rootworm adults are present in the southern and central regions of the state. Check for silk clipping.
- Start scouting for soybean aphid by checking the undersides of the newest trifoliates.
- Tar spot has been located in Wisconsin. Have a plan if your crop needs fungicide. Learn more about using Disease Forecasting Tools.
- Southern rust has not been located on Wisconsin corn, but now is the time to scout.
- Red crown rot was confirmed in WI last year. Know what to scout for in your soybean fields this year.
Manure Applications
- Reminder of Wisconsin’s NR 151 Runoff Rules with the timing of manure spreading and current runoff levels. Check DATCP Runoff Risk Advisory Forecast.
Small Grains
- Small grain harvest is underway in Southern WI. Review harvest, storage and nutrient removal topics.
- As you harvest, remember the importance of combine cleaning.
- After small grain harvest is the perfect time to plant cover crops. Review species options.
Fruit Considerations – General
- Several grape varieties (Frontenac, Marquette) have hit veraison in the last week or so. This may translate to increased bird and disease pressure (sour/bunch rot).
- Sanitation: remove and destroy (chop/compost) fallen fruit ~weekly to prevent any internally developing larvae from reaching maturity, and to limit the spread of disease.
- Apple and grape growers can reference the NEWA weather station network to monitor for disease infection periods in their area. Check out your nearest weather station: NEWA Weather Station Network (Cornell).
- Make sure newly planted fruit crops are getting enough water in this heat. Without irrigation, growth can stall during establishment. Irrigation frequency depends on soil type—sandy soils need water daily or every two days, while heavier soils like silt or clay can be watered less often by applying several days’ worth of water at once.
- Wisconsin fruit growers can reference the Midwest Fruit Pest Management Guide for a list of registered products and recommended best practices. View the MFPMG Online.
Fruit Considerations – Disease
- Warm and rainy weather conditions are ideal for bitter rot in apple orchards; see the article on bitter rot management from the July 4 WI Fruit newsletter.
- Black rot fruit symptoms continue to be reported in vineyards around WI. Review this 2022 article by Dr. Leslie Holland on Fruit and Cluster Rots for more information on black rot management.
- Sooty blotch and flyspeck has been observed in Southern WI, pushed along by warm, humid conditions. Continue monitoring NEWA models.
Fruit Considerations – Insects
- Apple growers should continue monitoring degree-day (base 50°F) accumulation for Codling moth. Second generation larvae will typically emerge at ~1250 degree-days (base 50°F) from the biofix date. Ensure to refresh traps/lures and continue monitoring weekly.
- Japanese beetle pressure has lessened in Southern WI, though emergence may continue through September. Review best monitoring and management practices here: Japanese beetle.
- Apple maggot pressure is variable across the state. Growers should continue to use red sphere traps to monitor populations.
- Grape and berry growers monitoring spotted wing drosophila should continue checking and refreshing traps weekly.
- Check out the WI DATCP Orchard Insect Pest Bulletin for more information on current insect trap captures across the state.
- Overview of grape insect/mite monitoring and management: Grape Insects and Mite Pests, 2024 Field Season (Cornell, 2024).
Vegetable Considerations – General
- Make sure crops are receiving adequate moisture especially during critical watering periods. Generally, water is most critical when plants are flowering and fruiting. To learn more about critical periods for specific crops, read this week’s vegetable crop newsletter.
Vegetable Considerations – Disease
- Cucurbit Alternaria causes brown leaf lesions that develop concentric rings and yellow halos as they expand. Fruit can also be infected with lesions that are dark and sunken. As the lesions produce spores, they appear fuzzy. Management options include adequate fertilization especially nitrogen, watering early in the day if using overhead irrigation to allow leaves to dry, and chemical control.
- Start scouting for powdery mildew. Focus on the underside of leaves and leaves that are shaded. Look for the characteristic white talcum-like colonies. Management includes growing resistant varieties, fungicides, and biologically based products. Michigan State University conducted trials last season on recommendations for both fungicides and biologically based products. Results can be found here
- Phytophthora crown and fruit rot can infect cucurbits, solanaceous crops (tomato, eggplant, pepper), and to a lesser extent legumes. It causes irregular brown spots on leaves. On vines, lesions are dark and water soaked and can girdle the stem causing wilt and plant collapse. Fruit most often rots on the underside in contact with the ground. Controls options include mulching with straw to prevent splash, disinfecting tools, destroying infected debris and fungicides. Phytophthora is known for developing resistance so rotate modes of action.
- Potato black leg and aerial stem rot have been increasing in fields across WI over the last week. Symptoms include chlorosis, wilting, and darkened, slimy stems. This disease can be spread during harvest. Delaying harvest until skin is set completely can help prevent bruising and reduce the risk. Other management options include avoiding over irrigation and over fertilization
- Preventative fungicide applications for early blight in potato are recommended for fields south of Rhinelander. Preventative measures allow for the most successful management.
- Preventative fungicide applications for late blight of potato are recommended for most potato production areas with the exception of Arlington and northern-most later season plantings. Check disease severity values for your area to help with management decisions.
- Septoria leaf spot is a fungal disease that causes tan to grey lesions with dark spots. When small, the lesions resemble bacterial spot. Look for the presence of dark, raised fungal bodies inside the lesion indicative of Septoria, and when in doubt send a sample in to disease diagnostic clinic. Preventative applications of fungicides containing copper or chlorothalonil can be useful in areas with chronic Septoria infections. Other management strategies include pruning and trellising to improve air flow and controlling alternative weed hosts including nightshade and jimsonweed.
- Tomato early blight symptoms first appear on lower leaves and stems as circular brown spots. As lesions expand, they develop the characteristic bulls-eye pattern of concentric rings. The best control measure is prevention. Once symptoms appear, it can be difficult to control. Removing infected plants can help slow the spread. Fungicides must be applied very early, either before disease occurs or at first symptoms, to be effective. More management options
Vegetable Considerations – Insects
- Potato leafhopper populations are increasing in southern and central WI as alfalfa is cut. Both larvae and adults feed on susceptible crops (beans, eggplant, potatoes, strawberries). The first signs are leaf veins turning pale and leaf curling. As feeding continues, leaves will have the characteristic hopper burn or browning of leaf tips. Management options
- Risk from potato colonizing aphids (green peach aphids and potato aphids) remains high or very high north of Tomah and Fond du Lac. It is particularly important to be proactive about insecticide programs to limit the establishment of these early populations once their presence has been confirmed in your fields. Scouting and insecticide recommendations
- Cabbage looper risk is high in central, and western WI. Scout for single white eggs and larvae on the underside of lower leaves. Loopers can burrow several layers into cabbage heads so look for frass (droppings to indicate their presence). Diamondback moth and imported cabbageworm larvae will also be present. Behavioral differences can help distinguish between them. Diamondback larvae thrash around when disturbed while cabbageworms remain still. Loopers move with the middle section of their body arched in the air.
- Continue scouting for squash bugs. Orange to brown colored eggs are laid in clusters on the underside of leaves. Chemical control is most effective when applied at egg hatch, so early detection is key for the best management. In small plantings, crush eggs and trap adults by placing newspaper or cardboard on the soil surface. At night, they will congregate underneath and can be killed in the morning.
- The second generation of adult Colorado potato beetles are now active in southern and central WI. If control of the 1st generation was successful, the 2nd generation population may be low or slow to appear. If this is the case, new insecticide applications should be delayed until new defoliation reaches 3-5%. In depth management info
- Western bean cutworms are active in WI. View trap catches for your area on the DATCP trap network map. Scout for egg masses on the upper surfaces of new leaves and unfurled leaves above and below the ear zone. Management options
- Corn earworm, also known as tomato fruit worm, is starting to arrive in WI. Check the DATCP trap network for counts in your area. Larvae range in color from olive-brown to maroon to black with yellow heads. Id can be tricky as larvae can look similar. This article from Purdue can help with ID. Management options
Dive deeper into each report section by clicking a topic below.
Precipitation Trends
7 Day Precipitation
Image Description ↓
Color-coded NOAA rainfall estimate map for Wisconsin and surrounding areas covering July 21-28, 2026. A label in the upper-right reads “Radar Estimates (Rain) 7/21/26-7/28/26.” Rainfall is mapped using a legend ranging from less than 0.01 inches (light gray) to 15-20 inches (purple). Eastern Wisconsin, including the Milwaukee area and the Lake Michigan shoreline, shows the greatest rainfall, mostly in green to yellow shades indicating roughly 1-4 inches. Central Wisconsin shows moderate rainfall in blue and green shades. Western Wisconsin and areas toward Minnesota show much lower totals, primarily light blue to gray. City labels visible include Madison, Milwaukee, and Minneapolis, with “WISCONSIN” centered on the map.
Image Description ↓
Map titled “Accumulated Precipitation: Percent of 1991-2020 Normals, July 22, 2026 to July 29, 2026.” Eastern Wisconsin, including areas near Green Bay and Milwaukee, shows above-normal precipitation, generally 125% to more than 300% of normal. A north-south band through central Wisconsin shows below-normal precipitation, with some areas below 50% of normal. Eau Claire, Madison, Green Bay, and Milwaukee are labeled. Source: PRISM Weather Data and NCEI Normals. Generated July 30, 2026.
- The western half of Wisconsin received little to no rainfall last week.
- The eastern half of Wisconsin received totals that ranged from 0.5-2”, with localized regions of over 2”. Areas that received at least 1” were near to above normal for the week.
- Highest Wisconet station total from last week: 3.05” (Bristol, Kenosha County). Totals in Kewaunee County were as high as 200-300% of normal.
30 Day Precipitation Total and Departure from Normals
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Map titled “Accumulated Precipitation (in)” with dates “June 28, 2026 to July 27, 2026.” Wisconsin is shaded by total precipitation using a color scale from 0 to 10 inches. Most of the state received about 1 to 4 inches of precipitation. Higher totals of roughly 4 to 8 inches appear across parts of western, west-central, and south-central Wisconsin, with small localized areas approaching 8 to 10 inches. Lower totals, generally around 0.5 to 2 inches, appear across portions of eastern and northern Wisconsin, including areas near Milwaukee and Green Bay. City labels shown are Eau Claire, Madison, Milwaukee, and Green Bay. Text below the map reads “Source: PRISM Weather Data” and “Generated on: Tue Jul 28, 2026 10:28:49 EDT.” Copyright credit reads “(c) Midwestern Regional Climate Center.”
Image Description ↓
Map titled “Accumulated Precipitation: Percent of 1991-2020 Normals” for June 28, 2026 to July 27, 2026. Wisconsin is shaded by precipitation percentage relative to normal, with a scale from 0% to 200%. Most of the state is yellow to orange, indicating below-normal precipitation, generally between 30% and 90% of normal. The driest conditions appear in southeastern Wisconsin near Milwaukee and south of Madison, shown in orange to red shades representing roughly 5% to 30% of normal precipitation. A band of near-normal to above-normal precipitation, shown in light to dark green (100% to 200% of normal), extends across west-central Wisconsin and parts of central Wisconsin. City labels shown are Eau Claire, Madison, Milwaukee, and Green Bay. Text below the map reads “Source: PRISM Weather Data and NCEI Normals” and “Generated on: Tue Jul 28, 2026 10:29:28 EDT.” Credit line: “(c) Midwestern Regional Climate Center.”
- The past 30 days have been drier than normal across most of Wisconsin, with rainfall totals that were 75% of normal or less.
- Conditions have been particularly dry in the southeast region, with widespread totals of 1” or less (20% of normal or less).
- Areas of the state that were at or above normal were primarily in the southwest, which received 4-8” at many locations. Totals of 3” or more also stretched the east towards Green Bay as well as to the north along the western border.
90 Day Precipitation Total and Percent of Normals
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Map titled “Accumulated Precipitation (in)” covering April 29, 2026 to July 27, 2026. Wisconsin is shaded by total precipitation using a color scale from 0 to 20 inches. Most of the state is blue, indicating approximately 5 to 10 inches of precipitation during the period. Higher totals of about 10 to 15 inches appear in parts of southwest and south-central Wisconsin, shown in lighter blue and purple shades, with localized areas approaching 15 to 20 inches. Northern, central, eastern, and southeastern Wisconsin generally received 5 to 7.5 inches of precipitation, with a few isolated areas above 10 inches. City labels shown are Eau Claire, Madison, Milwaukee, and Green Bay. Text below the map reads “Source: PRISM Weather Data” and “Generated on: Tue Jul 28, 2026 10:30:17 EDT.” Credit line: “(c) Midwestern Regional Climate Center.”
Image Description ↓
Map titled “Accumulated Precipitation: Percent of 1991-2020 Normals” for April 29, 2026 to July 27, 2026. Wisconsin is shaded by precipitation as a percentage of the 1991-2020 normal, using a color scale from 0% to 125%. Most of the state is yellow, indicating precipitation totals between approximately 50% and 75% of normal, reflecting generally drier-than-normal conditions. Areas in light green, representing roughly 75% to 100% of normal, are scattered across western, southwestern, central, and east-central Wisconsin, including areas near Green Bay. Small pockets of darker green, indicating 100% to 125% of normal precipitation, appear mainly in southwestern and west-central Wisconsin. Few areas show values substantially above normal. City labels shown are Eau Claire, Madison, Milwaukee, and Green Bay. Text below the map reads “Source: PRISM Weather Data and NCEI Normals” and “Generated on: Tue Jul 28, 2026 10:30:01 EDT.” Credit line: “(c) Midwestern Regional Climate Center.”
- Totals were highest in the southwest and west-central counties (12.5-20”). These totals were near to normal.
- Most of the state received precipitation totals that were 75% of normal or less, with most receiving at least 7.5” of precipitation.
- Precipitation totals were lowest along the eastern and northern sides of the state (4-7.5”). Here, the 90-day totals were around 50% of normal.
2026 Precipitation
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Map titled “Accumulated Precipitation (in)” for January 01, 2026 to July 27, 2026. Wisconsin is shaded by total precipitation using a color scale ranging from 12 to 32 inches. Northern Wisconsin is mostly yellow to light green, indicating approximately 14 to 20 inches of precipitation. Central, east-central, and southern portions of the state received higher totals, generally 20 to 28 inches. The highest precipitation amounts, shown in blue to purple shades (28 to 32 inches), occur in parts of southwestern Wisconsin and a band extending through central and east-central Wisconsin near Green Bay. City labels shown are Eau Claire, Madison, Milwaukee, and Green Bay. Text below the map reads “Source: PRISM Weather Data” and “Generated on: Tue Jul 28, 2026 10:30:32 EDT.” Credit line: “(c) Midwestern Regional Climate Center.”
Image Description ↓
Map titled “Accumulated Precipitation (in): Departure from 1991-2020 Normals” for January 01, 2026 to July 27, 2026. Wisconsin is shaded by precipitation departure from normal using a scale from -10 to +12 inches. Orange and red shades indicate below-normal precipitation, while green, blue, and purple shades indicate above-normal precipitation. Much of northern and western Wisconsin is below normal, generally 2 to 8 inches drier than average, with some areas near the Minnesota border approaching 8 inches below normal. Central, east-central, and parts of southwestern Wisconsin are wetter than normal, typically 2 to 8 inches above average, with localized areas near Green Bay, central Wisconsin, and southwestern Wisconsin reaching 8 to 10 inches above normal. Southern Wisconsin, including areas near Madison and Milwaukee, shows a mix of near-normal to moderately below-normal conditions. City labels shown are Eau Claire, Madison, Milwaukee, and Green Bay. Text below the map reads “Source: PRISM Weather Data” and “Generated on: Tue Jul 28, 2026 10:31:59 EDT.” Credit line: “(c) Midwestern Regional Climate Center.”
Soil Moisture and Temperature Trends
Soil Moisture Models
Image Description ↓
Map titled “NASA SPoRT-LIS 0-100 cm Soil Moisture Percentile” showing Wisconsin and surrounding areas. Logos for NOAA, NIDIS, and NASA appear in the upper-right corner. The map uses a percentile scale where dark red to orange colors represent very low soil moisture percentiles (0-20th percentile), yellow represents 20-30th percentile, gray represents around 30-70th percentile, and blue shades represent above-normal soil moisture (70-100th percentile).
Most of Wisconsin is shaded in red, orange, and yellow, indicating below-normal soil moisture, generally below the 30th percentile. Areas of especially low soil moisture, below the 10th percentile, are concentrated across central, eastern, and southeastern Wisconsin, including areas near Madison and Milwaukee. Some locations in western and southwestern Wisconsin show slightly higher soil moisture in the 20th to 30th percentile range. Nearby labels include Minnesota, Minneapolis, Wisconsin, Madison, Milwaukee, and Superior.
A legend labeled “0-100 cm Soil Moisture Percentile” shows values from 0 to 100. Text at the bottom reads “Source(s): NASA”, “Data Valid: 07/27/26”, and “Drought.gov.”
Image Description ↓
Map titled “NASA SPoRT-LIS 0-100 cm Soil Moisture Percentile” showing Wisconsin and neighboring areas. NOAA, NIDIS, and NASA logos appear in the upper-right corner. The map uses a percentile scale where red and orange indicate very low soil moisture (0th-20th percentile), yellow indicates 20th-30th percentile, gray indicates near-normal conditions (30th-70th percentile), and blue shades indicate above-normal soil moisture (70th-100th percentile).
Most of Wisconsin is shaded yellow to light orange, indicating below-normal soil moisture, generally in the 10th to 30th percentile range. Several smaller red and dark orange areas, representing 0th to 10th percentile soil moisture, are visible in parts of northern, eastern, and southeastern Wisconsin, including areas near Milwaukee. Limited pockets of near-normal or above-normal soil moisture appear in southwestern Wisconsin and scattered locations elsewhere, shown in gray and light blue.
Map labels include Minnesota, Minneapolis, Wisconsin, Madison, Milwaukee, and Superior. The legend is labeled “0-100 cm Soil Moisture Percentile” with values from 0 to 100. Text below the map reads “Source(s): NASA”, “Data Valid: 07/20/26”, and “Drought.gov.”
- Satellite-based soil moisture estimates indicate that conditions in the top 1 meter have gotten drier compared to last week. Most of Wisconsin now has soils that are much drier than what is normal for late July.
- The worst dryness, according to these estimates, is in east central and northern counties. The southwest region is close to normal or slightly below normal.
- Notes on how to interpret the maps:
- Red areas = top 5 driest in 100 years.
- Dark red areas = top 2 driest in 100 years.
- Dark blue areas = top 2 wettest in 100 years.
Wisconet Soil Moisture
Image Description ↓
Map of Wisconsin titled “Plant Available Water 4″ depth” showing monitoring sites with numeric measurements of plant-available water in the top 4 inches of soil. Most sites across the state are marked with dark red circles and values between 0.00 and 0.12 inches, indicating very low available water. Numerous locations in central, northern, eastern, and southeastern Wisconsin display readings of 0.00 inches. Higher values are scattered and localized, including readings such as 0.60 inches near the Wisconsin-Iowa border southwest of Madison, 0.57 inches and 0.56 inches in southwestern Wisconsin, and 0.52 inches near La Crosse. Additional moderate values between 0.24 and 0.47 inches appear near Eau Claire, Green Bay, and other isolated locations. Some stations are labeled “N/A.” Cities visible on the map include Madison, Milwaukee, Green Bay, Eau Claire, Ashland, Wausau, La Crosse, and Superior. A legend classifies plant available water from 0.00-0.12 inches (dark red) to greater than 1.42 inches (dark blue).
Image Description ↓
Map of Wisconsin titled “Plant Available Water 8″ depth” showing monitoring sites with measured plant-available water at an 8-inch soil depth. Values are displayed in colored circles and classified by a legend ranging from 0.00-0.20 inches (dark red) to greater than 2.36 inches (dark blue).
Much of central, eastern, northeastern, and southeastern Wisconsin shows very low available water, with many stations reporting 0.00 to 0.20 inches, including numerous readings of 0.00 inches. Higher soil water values are concentrated in western and southwestern Wisconsin, where several stations report around 1.20 to 1.49 inches, including values of 1.49 near Stevens Point, 1.33 near La Crosse and near Dubuque, 1.24 west of La Crosse, and 1.23 southwest of Madison. Additional moderate values near 0.80 to 1.01 inches appear in northern and eastern Wisconsin.
Several stations are marked “N/A.” Cities visible on the map include Madison, Milwaukee, Green Bay, Appleton, Wausau, Eau Claire, La Crosse, Ashland, Duluth, and Dubuque. The legend classifies plant available water from 0.00-0.20 inches to greater than 2.36 inches. Overall, the map shows drier soil conditions across much of Wisconsin, with wetter soils mainly in the western part of the state.
Image Description ↓
Map of Wisconsin titled “Plant Available Water 20″ depth” showing monitoring stations with measured plant-available water at a 20-inch soil depth. Values are displayed in colored circles and classified by a legend ranging from 0.00-0.39 inches (dark red) to greater than 5.91 inches (dark blue).
Deep soil moisture varies considerably across the state. Many stations in central, northern, and eastern Wisconsin report very low values below 0.39 inches, including numerous readings of 0.00 inches. Higher moisture levels are concentrated in western, southwestern, central, and parts of east-central Wisconsin. Notable readings include 4.52 inches near Stevens Point, 4.43 inches near Dubuque, 4.27 inches and 3.57 inches in southwestern Wisconsin, 4.04 inches in western Wisconsin, 4.00 inches near Appleton, 3.90 inches near Fond du Lac, 3.45 inches near the Illinois border southeast of Madison, and 3.44 inches in northeastern Wisconsin. Several stations near Madison report values between 2.28 and 3.31 inches.
Some stations are marked “N/A.” Cities visible on the map include Madison, Milwaukee, Green Bay, Appleton, Wausau, Eau Claire, La Crosse, Ashland, Duluth, and Dubuque. The legend classifies plant available water from 0.00-0.39 inches to greater than 5.91 inches. Overall, the map shows deeper soil moisture reserves are generally greater than shallow soil moisture reserves, with the highest values concentrated in western and central Wisconsin.
- Following another dry week, Wisconet stations across the state saw decreased moisture levels down to the 20-inch depth. For stations included in the chart and table, most saw no accumulated rainfall last week.
- Stations included in the chart and table that are currently in D1 drought are Arlington (Columbia), River Falls (Pierce), Brillion (Calumet), and Porter (Rock).
- The maps (above) show the daily average Wisconet plant available water (inches) on July 27th.
- The table (below) shows total precipitation and changes in plant available water from July 20th (Start) to July 27th (End).
- What is plant available water? To learn more, read this article from UW Extension Ag Water Quality on plant available water. There is also a webinar from UW Extension on soil water management that you can watch.
- Example: Imagine that you have 4 inches of soil in the bottom of a bucket. In that soil, there are 1.5 inches of plant available water. Therefore, if you removed the soil and left only the water available for plant roots to take up, you would have 1.5 inches of water in the bottom of the bucket.
- The wilting point is when plant available water is at 0 inches, and the plant can no longer access water at that depth in the soil.
| Wisconet Station | County | Total Precipitation (in.) | 4″ Start | 4″ End | 8″ Start | 8″ End | 20″ Start | 20″ End |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arlington | Columbia | 0.00 | 0.24 | 0.11 | 0.82 | 0.52 | 3.14 | 2.84 |
| Brillion | Calumet | 0.84 | 0.08 | 0.05 | 0.32 | 0.24 | 1.87 | 1.65 |
| Hancock | Waushara | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Lancaster | Grant | 0.00 | 0.53 | 0.60 | 1.26 | 1.33 | 4.36 | 4.43 |
| Marshfield | Marathon | 0.00 | 0.65 | 0.38 | 1.77 | 1.49 | 4.80 | 4.52 |
| Osseo | Trempealeau | 0.00 | 0.78 | 0.56 | 1.53 | 1.24 | 4.38 | 4.04 |
| Porter | Rock | 0.00 | 0.44 | 0.31 | 1.00 | 0.78 | 3.73 | 3.31 |
| Rice Lake | Barron | 0.00 | 0.41 | 0.11 | 0.94 | 0.43 | 2.47 | 1.88 |
| River Falls | Pierce | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.01 | 0.00 | 0.01 | 0.00 |
| Suring | Oconto | 1.33 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Walworth | Walworth | 0.21 | 0.09 | 0.03 | 0.59 | 0.43 | 3.61 | 3.45 |
| Wisconet Station | Current 4″ Soil Moisture | Last Week’s 4″ Soil Moisture | 1 Month Ago 4″ Soil Moisture |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arlington | 0.11 | 0.24 | 0.83 |
| Brillion | 0.05 | 0.08 | 0.19 |
| Hancock | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Lancaster | 0.60 | 0.53 | 0.98 |
| Marshfield | 0.38 | 0.65 | 1.14 |
| Osseo | 0.56 | 0.78 | 0.71 |
| Porter | 0.31 | 0.44 | 1.00 |
| Rice Lake | 0.11 | 0.41 | 0.73 |
| River Falls | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.28 |
| Suring | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.20 |
| Walworth | 0.03 | 0.09 | 0.92 |
USDA Soil Moisture Reports
Image Description ↓
Map titled “Topsoil Moisture Percent Adequate” for the week ending July 26, 2026. The map shows the percentage of topsoil moisture rated adequate in each state. Numbers in each state represent the current percentage adequate, and bracketed numbers below show the change from the previous week.
Wisconsin is labeled “71 [-4],” indicating 71% of topsoil moisture was rated adequate, down 4 percentage points from the prior week. Neighboring states include Minnesota “54 [-16],” Michigan “37 [-11],” Iowa “61 [-2],” and Illinois “61 [-3].”
Higher percentages are shown across parts of the eastern and central United States, including California “90 [0],” Kentucky “80 [0],” Ohio “74 [+2],” Missouri “74 [+2],” and New York “78 [-3].” Lower percentages appear in several western states, including Colorado “11 [+5],” Wyoming “14 [-2],” and New Mexico “19 [-4].”
A summary box in the lower-left corner reads “48 States,” “Adequate 49,” and “Change from Last Week -5.” A legend shows shaded categories ranging from “0-9%” to “90-100% adequate.” USDA branding appears in the upper-left corner, and a note indicates data were obtained from USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service weekly Crop Progress reports.
Image Description ↓
Map titled “Subsoil Moisture Percent Adequate” for the week ending July 26, 2026. The map shows the percentage of subsoil moisture rated adequate in each state. Numbers in each state represent the current percentage rated adequate, and bracketed numbers below show the change from the previous week.
Wisconsin is labeled “71 [-4],” indicating 71% of subsoil moisture was rated adequate, down 4 percentage points from the prior week. Neighboring states include Minnesota “56 [-15],” Michigan “53 [-5],” Iowa “62 [-3],” and Illinois “63 [-6].”
Higher percentages are concentrated in parts of the eastern and central United States, including Vermont “100 [+25],” Maine “63 [-3],” California “90 [-5],” Kentucky “82 [+2],” Missouri “80 [+1],” and Alabama “78 [0].” Lower percentages appear across portions of the West, including Wyoming “11 [+2],” Colorado “22 [+1],” Oregon “24 [-3],” and South Dakota “25 [-7].”
A summary box in the lower-left corner reads “48 States,” “Adequate 52,” and “Change from Last Week -4.” A legend shows shaded categories ranging from “0-9%” to “90-100% adequate.” USDA branding appears in the upper-left corner, and a note indicates data were obtained from USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service weekly Crop Progress reports.
- 71% of agricultural soils in the state are reported as having adequate topsoil and subsoil moisture. The values decreased by 4% from last week’s report.
- 27% and 25% of agricultural soils in the state are reported as having short to very short topsoil and subsoil moisture, respectively. These values increased by 5-10% from last week’s report.
Wisconet Soil Temperature
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Map titled “4 in Soil Temperature (°F)” showing soil temperatures at a 4-inch depth from monitoring stations across Wisconsin. Station values are displayed in colored circles, with a legend ranging from less than 10°F (dark blue) to greater than 100°F (red). Most stations across the state are shaded yellow and report temperatures between 70°F and 79°F.
Northern Wisconsin temperatures generally range from about 66°F to 75°F, including readings of 66.4°F near Ashland, 69.8°F near Duluth, and 74.8°F in north-central Wisconsin. Central and eastern Wisconsin stations are mostly between 70°F and 78°F, including values near Wausau, Green Bay, and Appleton.
The highest temperatures appear in parts of western and south-central Wisconsin, shown in orange circles. Notable readings include 87.4°F near Baraboo, 86.5°F and 86.0°F in west-central Wisconsin, 84.9°F near Stevens Point, 82.9°F in northwestern Wisconsin, 82.0°F near Eau Claire, and 81.7°F south of Madison. Southeastern Wisconsin, including the Milwaukee area, generally ranges from about 73°F to 77°F.
Several stations are labeled “N/A.” Cities visible on the map include Duluth, Ashland, Eau Claire, Wausau, Green Bay, Appleton, Madison, Milwaukee, Kenosha, and Dubuque. The legend classifies temperatures from less than 10°F to greater than 100°F.
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Map titled “8 in Soil Temperature (°F)” showing soil temperatures at an 8-inch depth from monitoring stations across Wisconsin. Station values are displayed in colored circles, with a legend ranging from less than 10°F (dark blue) to greater than 100°F (red). Most stations are yellow and report temperatures between 68°F and 76°F.
Northern Wisconsin temperatures generally range from about 65°F to 74°F, including readings of 65.3°F near Ashland, 68.5°F near Duluth, 69.4°F in north-central Wisconsin, and 73.8°F near Rhinelander. Central Wisconsin stations mostly range from 68°F to 75°F, including values near Wausau, Stevens Point, and Shawano.
The highest temperatures appear in west-central and central Wisconsin, shown in orange circles. Notable readings include 84.4°F near Baraboo, 83.1°F and 80.4°F in west-central Wisconsin, 81.0°F near Stevens Point, and 80.1°F in southwestern Wisconsin. Eastern Wisconsin, including Green Bay, Appleton, Manitowoc, and Milwaukee, generally ranges from 70°F to 77°F. Southeastern Wisconsin temperatures are mostly in the low to mid-70s.
Several stations are labeled “N/A.” Cities visible on the map include Duluth, Ashland, Eau Claire, Wausau, Green Bay, Appleton, Madison, Milwaukee, Kenosha, La Crosse, and Dubuque. The legend classifies temperatures from less than 10°F to greater than 100°F.
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Map titled “20 in Soil Temperature (°F)” showing soil temperatures at a 20-inch depth from monitoring stations across Wisconsin. Station values are displayed in colored circles, with a legend ranging from less than 10°F (dark blue) to greater than 100°F (red). Most stations across the state are yellow and report temperatures between 65°F and 72°F.
Northern Wisconsin temperatures generally range from about 62°F to 70°F, including readings of 62.1°F near Ashland, 64.0°F near Duluth, 66.9°F in north-central Wisconsin, and 70.2°F near Rhinelander. Central Wisconsin temperatures are mostly in the mid-60s to low 70s, including readings near Wausau, Stevens Point, and Shawano.
The warmest temperatures appear in parts of central and southwestern Wisconsin. Notable readings include 80.8°F near Baraboo, 79.2°F and 77.0°F in western Wisconsin near La Crosse, and 76.3°F in central Wisconsin. Southern Wisconsin temperatures near Madison generally range from about 68°F to 70°F. Eastern Wisconsin, including Green Bay, Appleton, Manitowoc, Milwaukee, and Kenosha, mostly ranges from 65°F to 72°F.
Several stations are labeled “N/A.” Cities visible on the map include Duluth, Ashland, Eau Claire, Wausau, Green Bay, Appleton, Madison, Milwaukee, Kenosha, La Crosse, and Dubuque. The legend classifies temperatures from less than 10°F to greater than 100°F. Overall, most 20-inch soil temperatures fall within the upper 60s to low 70s across Wisconsin.
- The maps show daily average Wisconet soil temperature conditions on July 27th.
U.S. Drought Monitor
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U.S. Drought Monitor map titled “Midwest” with date July 28, 2026. The map shows drought conditions across Midwestern states. A table labeled “Drought Conditions (Percent Area)” reports current coverage: None 57.73%, D0-D4 42.27%, D1-D4 21.52%, D2-D4 6.89%, D3-D4 0.00%, D4 0.00%. Areas of abnormal dryness (yellow) and moderate to severe drought (tan to orange) are concentrated in parts of Minnesota, Wisconsin, and surrounding regions. Released July 30, 2026; valid 8 a.m. EDT.
Compared to last week:
- Midwest: Widespread 1 class degradation across the northern states in the region. D1-D4 drought coverage increased by over 8% from last week.
- 78.5% of the Midwest region is drought free (~21.5% in D1-D4).
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U.S. Drought Monitor map titled “Wisconsin” dated July 28, 2026. Most of Wisconsin is classified as abnormally dry (yellow). Moderate drought (tan) covers portions of northern, eastern, and southeastern Wisconsin, while severe drought (orange) is concentrated in part of north-central Wisconsin. The table reports: None 7.95%, D0-D4 92.05%, D1-D4 40.54%, D2-D4 4.77%, D3-D4 0.00%, D4 0.00%. Released July 30, 2026; valid 8 a.m. EDT.
- Wisconsin: Most of the state (92%) is in the D0 category, with D1-D4 coverage up to 40%. D1 drought is common across the north, east central, and southeast.
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Map titled “U.S. Drought Monitor Class Change – Wisconsin, 1 Week,” comparing July 28, 2026, to July 21, 2026. Most highlighted areas are shown in light yellow, indicating 1-class drought degradation. Gray areas indicate no change. Small white areas show localized improvement. No areas show major multi-class improvement or degradation. NDMC logo and droughtmonitor.unl.edu appear on the graphic.
- There was widespread 1 class degradation across the state.
U.S. Drought Monitor Time Series
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Line chart titled “Wisconsin Drought Time Series (USDM).” The D0-D4 line rises from about 27% of the state on March 31, 2026, drops to about 2% in May, then increases sharply to about 90% in early June and 92% on July 28. The D1-D4 line reaches about 40% by July 28. D2-D4 reaches about 4%, while D3-D4 and D4 remain near 0% throughout the period. Y-axis: Percent of state in category. X-axis: March 31 to July 28, 2026.
- D0 coverage = 92.1%; D1 coverage = 40.5%; D2 coverage = 4.8%
Temperature Trends
7 Day Temperatures
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Map titled “Average Temperature (°F)” for the period July 21, 2026 to July 27, 2026. Wisconsin is shaded by average temperature using a color scale ranging from 60°F to 75°F. Most of the state is light yellow, indicating average temperatures between approximately 65°F and 70°F.
The coolest conditions, generally near 65°F or slightly lower, occur across parts of northern Wisconsin and areas near Lake Superior. Warmer temperatures, generally between 70°F and 75°F, are concentrated in southern Wisconsin, including areas near Madison and Milwaukee, and portions of western Wisconsin near the Mississippi River.
City labels shown on the map include Eau Claire, Madison, Milwaukee, and Green Bay. The legend displays temperature categories from 60°F to 75°F. Text below the map reads “Source: PRISM Weather Data” and “Generated on: Tue Jul 28, 2026 10:24:29 EDT.” A credit line reads “(c) Midwestern Regional Climate Center.”
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Map titled “Average Temperature (°F): Departure from 1991-2020 Normals” for July 21, 2026 to July 27, 2026. Wisconsin is shaded by temperature departure from normal using a color scale from -4°F to +4°F. Green shades indicate below-normal temperatures, white indicates near-normal temperatures, and brown shades indicate above-normal temperatures.
Most of Wisconsin is light green, indicating average temperatures were generally 0°F to 2°F below the 1991-2020 normal. Some areas in southern Wisconsin, central Wisconsin, and parts of western Wisconsin show darker green shading, representing departures of 2°F to 4°F below normal. Areas near normal temperatures appear in white across portions of northern, northeastern, and eastern Wisconsin.
A small area along the Lake Superior shoreline in far northern Wisconsin is shaded brown, indicating temperatures were approximately 2°F to 4°F above normal. No large areas show widespread above-normal temperatures elsewhere in the state.
City labels shown are Eau Claire, Madison, Milwaukee, and Green Bay. The legend displays temperature departures from -4°F to +4°F. Text below the map reads “Source: PRISM Weather Data” and “Generated on: Tue Jul 28, 2026 10:24:59 EDT.” A credit line reads “(c) Midwestern Regional Climate Center.”
- Average temperatures were 65-70°F across most of Wisconsin. Further south and west, temperatures were in the low-to-mid 70s.
- Temperatures were within -/+2°F of normal for most of the state.
- Along Lake Superior, temperatures were 2-4°F above normal, and in parts of the southeast temperatures were 2-4°F below normal.
- Extreme heat (July 26-27): Despite seasonal temperatures for most of last week, Wisconet stations across the state yet again recorded daily maximum heat indices topping 100°F on a few days. Check out how hot it got in your neck of the woods.
30 Day Temperatures
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Map titled “Average Temperature (°F)” for June 28, 2026 to July 27, 2026. Wisconsin is shaded by average temperature using a color scale from 65°F to 80°F. Most of the state is light yellow, indicating average temperatures between about 70°F and 75°F. Warmer areas, shown in darker yellow to orange and averaging roughly 75°F to 80°F, are concentrated in southern Wisconsin near Madison and Milwaukee and in portions of the Mississippi River valley. Cooler areas near 65°F to 70°F are limited to parts of northern Wisconsin. City labels shown are Eau Claire, Madison, Milwaukee, and Green Bay. Text below the map reads “Source: PRISM Weather Data” and “Generated on: Tue Jul 28, 2026 10:26:08 EDT.” Credit line: “(c) Midwestern Regional Climate Center.”
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Map titled “Average Temperature (°F): Departure from 1991-2020 Normals” for June 28, 2026 to July 27, 2026. Wisconsin is shaded by temperature departure from normal using a scale from 0°F to 6°F above normal. Most of the state is shaded medium to dark orange, indicating temperatures were generally 2°F to 5°F above the 1991-2020 normal. The largest positive departures, about 5°F to 6°F above normal, occur across northern and northeastern Wisconsin, including areas near Green Bay and the Lake Superior region. Southern Wisconsin, including Madison and Milwaukee, is generally 2°F to 4°F above normal. City labels shown are Eau Claire, Madison, Milwaukee, and Green Bay. Text below the map reads “Source: PRISM Weather Data” and “Generated on: Tue Jul 28, 2026 10:25:49 EDT.” Credit line: “(c) Midwestern Regional Climate Center.”
Growing Degree Days (Base 50°F)
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Map titled “Accumulated Growing Degree Days (50°F)” for May 01, 2026 to July 27, 2026. Wisconsin is shaded by accumulated growing degree days using a color scale from about 830 to 1710. The lowest totals, generally 830 to 1150, appear across far northern Wisconsin and along the Lake Superior shoreline. Central Wisconsin is mostly between 1150 and 1390. Southern Wisconsin has the highest totals, generally 1390 to 1710, with the largest accumulations in southwestern Wisconsin and portions of south-central Wisconsin near Madison. City labels shown are Eau Claire, Madison, Milwaukee, and Green Bay. Text below the map reads “Source: PRISM Weather Data” and “Generated on: Tue Jul 28, 2026 10:26:34 EDT.” Credit line: “(c) Midwestern Regional Climate Center.”
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Map titled “Accumulated Growing Degree Days (50°F)” for May 15, 2026 to July 27, 2026. Wisconsin is shaded by accumulated growing degree days using a color scale from about 830 to 1640. The lowest totals, generally 830 to 1120, occur across far northern Wisconsin and along the Lake Superior shoreline. Central Wisconsin is mostly between 1120 and 1350. Southern Wisconsin has the highest totals, generally 1350 to 1640, with the largest accumulations in southwestern Wisconsin and parts of south-central Wisconsin near Madison. City labels shown are Eau Claire, Madison, Milwaukee, and Green Bay. Text below the map reads “Source: PRISM Weather Data” and “Generated on: Tue Jul 28, 2026 10:26:55 EDT.” Credit line: “(c) Midwestern Regional Climate Center.”
- Starting May 1 – Growing degree day accumulation ranges from 1630 GDD in the far south and west to 1070 GDD in the far north. These values are 105-115% of normal.
- Starting May 15 – Growing degree day accumulation ranges from 1490 GDD in the far south and west to 1050 GDD in the far north. These values are 110-120% of normal.
Crop Progress and Condition
Crop Progress Report for Corn
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Map titled “Corn Conditions: Percent Good to Excellent” dated July 26, 2026. The USDA map shows the percentage of corn rated good to excellent in selected states. Numbers in each state indicate the current percentage rated good to excellent, and bracketed values show the change from the previous week.
Wisconsin is labeled “74 [-5],” indicating 74% of the corn crop was rated good to excellent, down 5 percentage points from the prior week. Neighboring states include Minnesota “77 [-3],” Iowa “80 [0],” Michigan “65 [-7],” Illinois “59 [-1],” and Ohio “60 [-2].”
Higher ratings include Pennsylvania “85 [+3],” Iowa “80 [0],” Tennessee “80 [0],” and Minnesota “77 [-3].” Lower ratings include North Carolina “24 [+7],” Colorado “31 [-9],” and Texas “42 [-6].”
A summary box in the lower-left corner reads “National Condition,” “Good to Excellent 63,” and “Change from Last Week -4.” The legend displays categories from 0-9% to 90-100% good to excellent. USDA branding appears in the upper-left corner, and a note states that data were obtained from USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service weekly Crop Progress reports.
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“Corn Progress: Percent Silking” dated July 26, 2026. The USDA map shows the percentage of corn reaching the silking stage in selected states. Numbers in each state indicate the current percentage silking, and bracketed values show the difference from the 5-year average.
Wisconsin is labeled “52 [+1],” indicating 52% of corn had reached the silking stage, which is 1 percentage point above the 5-year average. Neighboring states include Minnesota “87 [+17],” Iowa “87 [+7],” Michigan “64 [+5],” Illinois “86 [-2],” and Ohio “63 [0].”
Higher percentages of silking include North Carolina “98 [+5],” Tennessee “97 [+6],” Texas “91 [+3],” Missouri “90 [+2],” Iowa “87 [+7],” and Minnesota “87 [+17].” Lower percentages include Pennsylvania “42 [+5]” and Wisconsin “52 [+1].” Colorado is labeled “79 [+35],” showing the largest positive departure from its 5-year average.
A summary box in the lower-left corner reads “National Progress,” “Silking 78,” and “Change from 5-year Average +4.” The legend shows categories ranging from “40% or more above average” to “40% or more below average,” with white indicating no change. USDA branding appears in the upper-left corner, and a note states that data were obtained from USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service weekly Crop Progress reports.
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Map titled “Soybean Conditions: Percent Good to Excellent” dated July 26, 2026. The USDA map shows the percentage of soybeans rated good to excellent in selected states. Numbers in each state indicate the current percentage rated good to excellent, and bracketed values show the change from the previous week.
Wisconsin is labeled “70 [-4],” indicating 70% of the soybean crop was rated good to excellent, down 4 percentage points from the prior week. Neighboring states include Minnesota “78 [-2],” Iowa “78 [-1],” Michigan “53 [-7],” Illinois “57 [-2],” and Indiana “63 [0].”
Higher ratings include Minnesota “78 [-2],” Iowa “78 [-1],” Tennessee “75 [-1],” Mississippi “75 [+7],” and Arkansas “71 [-1].” Lower ratings include North Dakota “46 [-6],” South Dakota “52 [-6],” Michigan “53 [-7],” and Ohio “57 [-6].” North Carolina is labeled “63 [+10].” Louisiana is labeled “66 [+9].”
A summary box in the lower-left corner reads “National Condition,” “Good to Excellent 63,” and “Change from Last Week -3.” The legend displays categories from 0–9% to 90–100% good to excellent. USDA branding appears in the upper-left corner, and a note states that data were obtained from USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service weekly Crop Progress reports.
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Map titled “Soybeans Progress: Percent Blooming” dated July 26, 2026. The USDA map shows the percentage of soybeans reaching the blooming stage in selected states. Numbers in each state indicate the current percentage blooming, and bracketed values show the difference from the 5-year average.
Wisconsin is labeled “78 [+9],” indicating 78% of soybeans had reached the blooming stage, 9 percentage points above the 5-year average. Neighboring states include Minnesota “89 [+11],” Iowa “80 [-1],” Michigan “74 [+4],” Illinois “81 [+4],” and Indiana “73 [+3].”
Higher percentages include Louisiana “100 [+3],” Arkansas “96 [+4],” Mississippi “96 [+4],” Tennessee “88 [+17],” Minnesota “89 [+11],” and North Dakota “86 [+13].” Ohio is labeled “70 [-1],” and Iowa is labeled “80 [-1],” the only states shown below their 5-year averages.
A summary box in the lower-left corner reads “National Progress,” “Blooming 80,” and “Change from 5-year Average +6.” The legend shows categories ranging from “40% or more above average” to “40% or more below average,” with white indicating no change. USDA branding appears in the upper-left corner, and a note states that data were obtained from USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service weekly Crop Progress reports.
- Wisconsin had 6.7 days suitable for fieldwork statewide, thanks in part to continued dryness.
- Soybeans are 78% blooming, with 33% of soybeans setting pods.
- Corn silking is 52% complete.
- Corn and soybean conditions are 74% and 70% good to excellent, respectively. Both are down from last week’s report.
- Winter wheat is 51% harvested.
- Oats are 83% coloring and 27% harvested.
- Pasture and range were rated 57% good to excellent, down 4% from last week.
- The second cutting of alfalfa is 95% complete, with third cutting at 32% complete.
- Read the full USDA report.
Forecasts and Outlooks
7 Day Precipitation Forecast
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Map titled “7-Day Quantitative Precipitation Forecast for July 30-August 6, 2026.” Wisconsin forecast shows most of the state expected to receive about 0.1 to 1 inch of precipitation, with higher amounts around southern Wisconsin and lower amounts in parts of the north. Visible labels include Minneapolis, Madison, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and Superior. Legend labeled “Predicted Inches of Precipitation” ranges from 0 to 20+ inches. Source: National Weather Service Weather Prediction Center. Last updated 07/30/26. Drought.gov logo displayed.
- When? – Rain chances are highest on Friday (7/31), Saturday (8/1), and Wednesday (8/5).
- Where? – Rain chances are highest along the Illinois state line, with decreasing chances further north.
- Check your local forecast for details on totals and timing.
- Average precip (1991-2020) for this week: 0.88”.
8-14 Day Temperature and Precipitation Outlook
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Map titled “8–14 Day Precipitation Outlook for August 6–12, 2026” from NOAA, NIDIS, and the National Weather Service. Wisconsin is shaded entirely in gray, indicating near-normal precipitation conditions are favored across the state during the outlook period. No areas of Wisconsin are highlighted for above-normal or below-normal precipitation probabilities. A shaded area indicating below-normal precipitation probabilities appears west of Wisconsin over parts of Minnesota, but does not extend into Wisconsin. City labels include Minneapolis, Madison, and Milwaukee. Legends below the map display probabilities for below-normal precipitation and above-normal precipitation ranging from 33% to 100%, with gray representing near-normal conditions. Text at the bottom reads “Source(s): Climate Prediction Center” and “Last Updated: 07/29/26.” The Drought.gov logo appears in the lower-right corner.
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Map titled “8–14 Day Temperature Outlook for August 6–12, 2026” from NOAA, NIDIS, and the National Weather Service. Wisconsin is shaded in light orange across most of the southern two-thirds of the state, indicating a 40% to 50% probability of above-normal temperatures. Northern Wisconsin is shaded a lighter cream color, indicating a lower probability, generally around 33% to 40%, of above-normal temperatures. No part of Wisconsin is shaded for below-normal temperatures. City labels include Minneapolis, Madison, and Milwaukee. Legends below the map display probabilities for below-normal temperatures and above-normal temperatures ranging from 33% to 100%, with gray indicating near-normal conditions. Text at the bottom reads “Source(s): Climate Prediction Center” and “Last Updated: 07/29/26.” The Drought.gov logo appears in the lower-right corner.
- Early-to-Mid August: Temperatures are leaning above normal statewide, with higher odds in the southern half of the state (40-50%). Precipitation is leaning towards near normal statewide.
- Statewide normals (1991-2020) for August 6-12 are 68.2°F and 0.89”.
30 Day Temperature and Precipitation Outlook
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Map titled “Monthly Precipitation Outlook for August 1-31, 2026.” The map shows the Climate Prediction Center’s monthly precipitation outlook for Wisconsin and surrounding states.
Wisconsin is entirely shaded white, indicating Equal Chances (EC) of below-normal, near-normal, or above-normal precipitation during August 2026. No areas within Wisconsin are highlighted for increased odds of wetter- or drier-than-normal conditions.
A tan-shaded area indicating increased odds of below-normal precipitation is visible to the east over parts of Michigan and the Great Lakes region. A light teal-shaded area indicating increased odds of above-normal precipitation extends into portions of Iowa and areas southwest of Wisconsin. Neither outlook area directly covers Wisconsin.
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NOAA/Climate Prediction Center map titled “Monthly Temperature Outlook for August 1–31, 2026,” covering Wisconsin, Michigan, and surrounding Great Lakes states. Nearly the entire mapped area is uncolored, indicating equal chances of below-normal, near-normal, or above-normal temperatures (no strong lean in either direction). A small light blue-shaded area appears in the far northwestern corner (part of Minnesota), indicating a 33–40% probability of below-normal temperatures. Three color-coded legends appear below the map: “Probability of Below-Normal Temperatures” (light to dark blue, 33%–100%), “Probability of Above-Normal Temperatures” (light yellow to dark red, 33%–100%), and “Probability of Near-Normal Temperatures” (light to dark gray, 33%–50%). Source: Climate Prediction Center. Last updated 07/16/26. NOAA, NIDIS, and National Weather Service logos appear in the top right; “Drought.gov” logo appears in the bottom right.
- August: Conditions are uncertain currently, with equal chances for above, near, or below normal temperatures and precipitation.
- Statewide normals (1991-2020) for August 1-31 are 67.2°F and 3.90”.
90 Day Temperature and Precipitation Outlook
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Map titled “Seasonal (3-Month) Precipitation Outlook for August 1-October 31, 2026.” The map shows the Climate Prediction Center’s three-month precipitation outlook for Wisconsin.
A broad tan-shaded area covers most of northern Wisconsin, including areas near Lake Superior and extending across much of the northern half of the state. The shading indicates a 33%-40% probability of below-normal precipitation during the August through October period.
Most of southern Wisconsin is unshaded, indicating equal chances (EC) of below-normal, near-normal, or above-normal precipitation. No areas of Wisconsin are shaded green, indicating there is no forecast signal favoring above-normal precipitation anywhere in the state.
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Map titled “Seasonal (3-Month) Temperature Outlook for August 1-October 31, 2026.” The map shows the Climate Prediction Center’s three-month temperature outlook for Wisconsin and surrounding states.
Wisconsin is entirely unshaded (white), indicating Equal Chances (EC) of below-normal, near-normal, or above-normal temperatures during the August through October 2026 period. No portion of Wisconsin is shaded blue for below-normal temperatures or orange/red for above-normal temperatures, indicating no strong seasonal temperature signal for the state.
A very small area of light orange shading appears outside Wisconsin near the lower-right edge of the map, indicating increased odds of above-normal temperatures in a region beyond the map’s Wisconsin focus area. This outlook does not affect Wisconsin.
- Aug-Oct: Temperatures are uncertain with equal chances. Precipitation shows a slight lean (33-40% odds) towards below normal precipitation. Below normal precipitation is a bit more likely in the far north (40-50% odds).
- Statewide normals (1991-2020) for Aug-Oct are 57.8°F and 10.50”.
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