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 well above normal across the state last week. Heat indices topped 100°F at multiple Wisconet stations on September 1, 2, and 4.
- Central and east-central counties saw the highest rainfall totals in the state last week. Totals of over 2” were common, with localized areas of over 4”. Totals were lowest in the far north and the southwest (1” or less).
- Over the past 30 days, some locations in the far north received rainfall totals that were ≤20% of normal.
Impact
- For Wisconet stations included in the chart and table, most saw increased soil moisture from last week’s report.
- Satellite-based soil moisture estimates indicate that dryness improved across a large portion of eastern and central Wisconsin due to higher rainfall totals last week. The change was most notable in east-central counties.
- Drought coverage in Wisconsin was reduced by 10% from last week, primarily in eastern and central counties. Extreme (D3) drought coverage was unchanged.
- Winter wheat planting is getting underway as over half of the state’s corn crop has reached the denting stage. Pasture and range conditions continue to decline, but corn and soybeans are holding steady.
Outlook
- Current model predictions for rain over the next week show totals of over 1” statewide, with totals highest in the north-central and northwest counties.
- Most of Wisconsin shows a lean towards near-normal temperatures for mid-to late September. Precipitation shows a slight lean towards above normal in the southern half of the state.
- September temperatures are leaning towards above normal statewide (40-50% odds), with precipitation uncertain with “equal chances”.
- Fall temperatures are leaning towards above normal for almost all of Wisconsin. Precipitation is uncertain statewide except for the far northeast (below normal lean).
Agronomic, Fruit, and Vegetable Considerations
Field Conditions
- Crop conditions are highly reflective of moisture throughout the state. Pockets of drought-stressed crops are scattered throughout Wisconsin, especially in the northern regions of the state, with silage harvest beginning early due to low moisture and/or disease pressure.
Forage Management
- Fourth crop alfalfa is being harvested. Use the Alfalfa Cutting Tool to plan your final cut to manage for persistence.
- Read about the impacts of drought on alfalfa if your crop is affected.
- Silage season is here. View moistures collected from dry down events: Corn Silage Dry Down Monitoring Tool.
- If your silage crop has been impacted by drought, read these harvest considerations.
- In areas that are impacted by drought, take caution with annual forages such as sorghum-sudangrass for concerns related to nitrate toxicity.
- Consider planting a cover crop after silage. A cover crop can not only provide environmental benefits but also forage for livestock.
Pest Management
- Scout fields to note what weed species are part of a late flush or have escaped herbicide application.
- Scout late planted sweet corn with remaining green silks for corn earworm. Late season moth migrations are high.
- If your area has been dry, check the undersides of soybean leaves for spider mites. This pest causes pockets of yellowing and browning of leaves starting on field edges and working inward.
- Wisconsin has its first confirmed case of soybean tentiform leafminer. This pest is unlikely to cause economic damage, but please report the pest if found.
- Red crown rot was confirmed in WI last year. Know what to scout for in your soybean fields this year.
- Fall armyworm trapping counts remain low.
- Read the late-season field crops disease report. Diseases may be visible in corn and soybean fields, so make appropriate harvest plans if disease is present.
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
- After small grain harvest is the perfect time to plant cover crops. Review species options.
- If you are planting winter wheat this fall, consider revisiting Small Grains Recommendations and Row Width and Seeding Rates in WI.
- Read the Top 9 Recommendations for Winter Wheat Establishment in 2026.
Fruit Considerations – General
- Reminder: Always read and follow directions on the label and keep in mind pre-harvest intervals (PHI) as we move through harvest.
- Table grape harvest has begun, with wine grapes soon to follow at West Madison Ag. Research Station. Check out last weeks WI Fruit Crop Scouting Report for updates on grape maturity testing.
- 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).
- 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.
- Sun scald and southwest injury to trunks and branches has been observed across many orchards and vineyards this summer, likely due to wide variations in winter temperatures that can cause trunk and branch damage.
- Fruit sunburn has been observed across many fruit crops in southern WI. Consider removing this fruit while out picking to prevent other pests attracted to the volatiles (scent).
Fruit Considerations – Disease
- Downy mildew foliar symptoms (“oil-stains”) have been observed in a few locations. Scout for pale-yellow lesions on the tops of leaves and white downy growth on the underside of leaves.
- Black rot and fruit rot 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 and fruit rot management around harvest.
- Sooty blotch and flyspeck continues to be observed in Southern WI, pushed along by warm, humid conditions. Continue monitoring NEWA models.
Fruit Considerations – Insects
- Apple growers should continue monitoring pheromone traps and degree-day (base 50℉) accumulation for Codling moth.
- Grape and berry growers monitoring spotted wing drosophila should continue checking and refreshing traps weekly through harvest.
- Apple maggot pressure is variable across the state. Growers should continue to use red sphere traps to monitor populations.
- 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 note of diseases you are dealing with this season and consider trialing resistant varieties next year.
- It is time to start thinking about fall cover crops. Use the Midwest Cover Crops Council Cover Crop Selection Tool to help decide the best species that fit your goals and planting window.
- If you are considering topping (removing the growing point) of your Brussel sprouts, the recommendation is to top 30-60 days before harvest. More than 60 days before harvest can lead to the stalk regrowing rather than the plant sending energy to the growing sprouts. This practice can make stalks look fuller if you harvest the whole stalk. This practice is only recommended if you plan to do a once over harvest. If you do not top your plants, the sprouts will develop more slowly, but the plant will produce longer into the fall.
- Winter squash harvest tips:
- Signs of maturity include loss of skin glossiness, tough skin that resists puncture by your fingernail, drying/corking of the stem, and on certain types (acorn and delicata) the ground spot turning yellow to orange in color.
- Cucurbita pepo (acorn, delicata, some pie pumpkins) should not be cured. It can lead to the skin changing color, reduced eating quality, and reduced storage life.
- Cucurbita maxima (kabocha, buttercup) and Cucurbita moschata (butternut, some edible pumpkins) should be cured to help the skin harden and to accelerate wound healing to prevent disease development. It also helps the squash convert starch to sugar to improve eating quality sooner. Curing should occur at warm temperatures (80-85°F) and high humidity (80-85%) for 5 to 10 days.
- Storage conditions: temperatures should range from 50-55°F. Relative humidity should be between 50-70%. The area should be well ventilated.
Vegetable Considerations – Disease
- Brassica alternaria starts as small black lesions that grow in a bullseye pattern as the lesions expand. It is spread through overhead irrigation, windborne spores, and insects such as flea beetles. Management options include avoiding working in fields when wet, management of weeds in the brassica family that serve as alternative hosts (ex: shepherd’s purse and wild mustards), removal of infected plants, and fungicides.
- Cucurbit downy mildew of cucumber has been confirmed in several more counties in Michigan over the past week. Cases have also been reported in Ohio, New York, and Pennsylvania. There are currently no reports in WI. Symptoms start as angular, vein bound yellow to pale green spots on the upper leaf surface. As the disease progresses, the lesions turn brown and grow together leading to browning of entire leaves. Under humid conditions a dark purplish-grey fuzz may form on the underside of leaves.
- Continue 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. Treatments should continue until the week before harvest. If pumpkins are ready, harvest them as soon as possible. If powdery mildew spreads to the handles, it can make them brittle and reduce desirability for customers.
- Potato and tomato early blight were confirmed in Buffalo County. Symptoms start as circular brown spots. As the 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. Fungicides must be applied very early, either before disease occurs or at first symptoms, to be effective. Continued preventative fungicide applications for early blight in potato are recommended for all fields in WI. Guidance on fungicide options can be found here. If you have problems with early blight this year, destroy or bury infected plant material and consider planting resistant varieties and increasing plant spacing for increased air flow next season.
- There are no new reports of late blight on potato or tomato anywhere in the Midwest over the past week. Continue applying preventative fungicides. Symptoms include large irregular leaf lesions that are not restricted by leaf veins, dark brown lesions on stems, and brown to red to purple discoloration of internal tuber tissue.
- Bacterial canker of tomato has been confirmed on several farms in WI this summer. This disease can be very difficult to control because it is a systemic infection and can easily be spread during pruning, trellising, and harvest. Symptoms include wilting on one side of the plant while the other remains symptom free and raised corky gray to brown lesions on fruit. It can be easily confused with other diseases so it is recommended to send a sample to the disease diagnostic clinic. Management options
Vegetable Considerations – Insects
- Cabbage aphid populations can increase quickly especially on long season crops such as Brussel sprouts. Their populations actually grow more quickly in relatively cooler temperatures (50-68°F). They prefer to feed on new growth including developing Brussel sprout buds. If plants are infected this fall, but residue cannot be tilled in or removed, be sure to remove/destroy crop residue early next spring before eggs hatch. Management options include biological controls and insecticides although they must be applied early before an infestation is severe.
- Squash bugs continue to be a problem. Nymphs are the most susceptible life stage for control so be sure to be scouting regularly to be able to target this stage. Eggs generally hatch within 5 to 10 days after being laid. In small plantings, control options include remove eggs with adhesive tape, burning egg masses with a small torch, and cutting out small sections of leaves that have eggs. For larger plantings, there are organic and conventional insecticide options. Be sure to get good canopy penetration for the best control.
- Corn earworm, also known as tomato fruit worm, trap counts remained high last week. Check the DATCP trap network for counts in your area. Sweet corn with green silk is at risk. 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
- Areas in northern WI are experiencing drought conditions that are favorable for two spotted spider mites (TSSM). TSSM feed on solanaceous crops and cucurbits. Symptoms include pale, blotchy spots that give leaves a mottled appearance and visible webbing with heavy infestations. Management options include overhead irrigation, although water early enough in the day to allow leaves to dry, avoiding over applications of nitrogen, and chemical controls.
Dive deeper into each report section by clicking a topic below.
Precipitation Trends
7 Day Precipitation
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Radar map overlay titled Radar Estimates (Rain) 9/1/26-9/8/26 across Wisconsin and surrounding Midwest areas. Most of northern, western, and southern Wisconsin is shaded in light green and purple, indicating 0.25 to 1.5 inches of rain. A prominent west-to-east band across east-central Wisconsin, extending from central counties toward Fond du Lac, Sheboygan, and north of Milwaukee, is shaded in yellow, orange, and red, representing rainfall totals of 2 to 6 inches, with localized red pockets reaching 5 to 6 inches. The side key lists values ranging from less than 0.01 inches up to 20 inches.
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A map of Wisconsin published by the Midwestern Regional Climate Center titled Accumulated Precipitation: Percent of 1991-2020 Normals for September 02, 2026 to September 08, 2026. Data comes from PRISM Weather Data and NCEI Normals, generated on Thursday, September 10, 2026 at 12:43:58 EDT. Major cities labeled include Eau Claire, Green Bay, Madison, and Milwaukee. The color scale at the bottom ranges from red (0 percent) to dark purple and light blue (600 percent). Eastern and central portions of Wisconsin around Green Bay display higher precipitation levels in dark blue and green shades reaching 200 to 600 percent of normal, while northern border regions and southern areas near the border display lower levels in yellow, orange, and red shades around 10 to 50 percent of normal.
- Central and east-central counties saw the highest rainfall totals in the state last week. Totals of over 2” were common, with localized areas of over 4” (≥200% of normal).
- In the far north and the southwest, totals were notably lower. Totals in those regions were commonly 1” or less (≤75% of normal).
- West-central counties experienced rainfall totals of 1-3” last week.
- Highest Wisconet station total from last week: 5.03” (Brillion, Calumet County). Totals in Calumet County were as high as 400-600% of normal.
30 Day Precipitation Total and Departure from Normals
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Map titled Accumulated Precipitation (in) for August 09, 2026 to September 07, 2026, generated by the Midwestern Regional Climate Center using PRISM Weather Data. Across Wisconsin, 30-day total rainfall ranges widely. Northern Wisconsin is shaded in dark green, indicating lower rainfall totals between 0.5 and 1 inch. Western and southern areas, including Eau Claire, Madison, and Milwaukee, show light blue to dark blue shades, indicating 1.5 to 3 inches of rain. Central and east-central Wisconsin, including regions near Green Bay, feature prominent purple shading, representing highest accumulations between 5 and 8 inches. The legend ranges from 0 to 8 inches.
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Map titled Accumulated Precipitation: Percent of 1991-2020 Normals for August 09, 2026 to September 07, 2026, generated by the Midwestern Regional Climate Center using PRISM Weather Data and NCEI Normals. The map of Wisconsin displays northern regions in dark orange, red, and yellow, representing significantly below-average precipitation between 10 and 75 percent of normal. Western Wisconsin, including Eau Claire, is mostly yellow, showing 50 to 75 percent of normal precipitation. Eastern and central regions, including Green Bay, Madison, and Milwaukee, show green and gray shading, representing 90 to 150 percent of normal precipitation. The bottom legend ranges from 0 to 200 percent.
- Rainfall totals of 5-8” were common from Wausau down to Milwaukee. These totals were 110-200% of normal.
- Southwest and west-central counties commonly saw below-normal rainfall over the past 30 days. Totals ranged from 50-90% of normal.
- Further north, totals were much less. Totals of ≤1.5” were common, which was ≤50% of normal. Some locations in the far north received totals that were ≤20% of normal.
90 Day Precipitation Total and Percent of Normals
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Map titled Accumulated Precipitation (in) for June 10, 2026 to September 07, 2026, generated by the Midwestern Regional Climate Center using PRISM Weather Data. The map displays total accumulated precipitation over a 90-day period across Wisconsin. Northern regions show dark blue and green shading, representing totals between 3 and 7.5 inches. Most of central, western, and southern Wisconsin, including Eau Claire, Green Bay, Madison, and Milwaukee, is covered in medium and light blue shading, representing totals between 7.5 and 12.5 inches. Scattered light purple patches in the central and southern areas indicate localized totals between 12.5 and 15 inches. The legend ranges from 0 to 20 inches.
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Map titled Accumulated Precipitation: Percent of 1991-2020 Normals for June 10, 2026 to September 07, 2026, generated by the Midwestern Regional Climate Center using PRISM Weather Data and NCEI Normals. Northern and northwestern Wisconsin, including Eau Claire, are shaded in yellow and light orange, indicating precipitation levels between 30 and 75 percent of normal. Central and southern Wisconsin, including Green Bay, Madison, and Milwaukee, display gray and green shading, corresponding to near-normal to above-normal precipitation between 90 and 150 percent. The bottom scale spans from 0 to 200 percent.
- In the southern 2/3 of the state, totals ranged from 10-15” for most, with localized areas of 15-20”. Rainfall totals in this region were near to average (75-125%).
- Northern counties were the driest, with most locations receiving totals that were at or below 75% of normal.
2026 Precipitation
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Map titled Accumulated Precipitation (in) for January 01, 2026 to September 07, 2026, generated by the Midwestern Regional Climate Center using PRISM Weather Data. Total precipitation across Wisconsin since the start of the year shows a clear north-to-south increase. Northern Wisconsin is shaded in yellow, representing 15 to 20 inches of precipitation. Northwestern and north-central areas transition into light green, showing 20 to 25 inches. Central and southern Wisconsin, including Eau Claire, Green Bay, Madison, and Milwaukee, are shaded in medium to dark green, representing 25 to 35 inches. Isolated blue patches in the west and south represent 30 to 35 inches. The legend ranges from 15 to 40 inches.
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Map titled Accumulated Precipitation (in): Departure from 1991-2020 Normals for January 01, 2026 to September 07, 2026, generated by the Midwestern Regional Climate Center using PRISM Weather Data. The year-to-date map shows a contrast between northern and southern Wisconsin. Northern and western areas, including Eau Claire, are shaded in brown and tan, indicating precipitation deficits of 2 to 10 inches below normal. Central, eastern, and southern Wisconsin, including Green Bay, Madison, and Milwaukee, are shaded in light to dark green, indicating precipitation surpluses of 1 to 10 inches above normal. White areas indicate near-zero departure. The bottom scale ranges from -12 to 14 inches.
Soil Moisture and Temperature Trends
Soil Moisture Models
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Map titled NASA SPoRT-LIS 0-100 cm Soil Moisture Percentile, sourced from NASA and published by Drought.gov, valid September 7, 2026. The map shows soil moisture conditions across Wisconsin. Dark red shading (0 to 2nd percentile) remains widespread across northern and northwestern Wisconsin. Central, eastern, and southern areas display increased light gray and yellow shading (20th to 70th percentiles), along with isolated blue pixels representing higher percentiles (70th to 95th), indicating localized moisture improvement compared to the prior week.
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Map titled NASA SPoRT-LIS 0-100 cm Soil Moisture Percentile, sourced from NASA and published by Drought.gov, valid August 31, 2026. The map illustrates soil moisture percentiles across Wisconsin and surrounding Upper Midwest states. Dark red and bright red shading, representing 0 to 5th percentiles, dominates northern, central, and southwestern Wisconsin, indicating extreme to exceptional dry conditions. Orange and yellow shading, representing 5th to 30th percentiles, covers south-central and eastern regions near Madison and Milwaukee. Scattered gray areas indicate 30th to 70th percentiles. The color key spans from dark red (0-2) to deep blue (98-100).
- Satellite-based soil moisture estimates indicate that dryness improved across a large portion of eastern and central Wisconsin due to higher rainfall totals last week. The change was most notable in east-central counties.
- Severe dryness is still in place across many northwest counties, following a week with ≤1” of rainfall for most.
- 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
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Map titled Plant Available Water 4 inch depth across Wisconsin stations. Circular station markers display water amounts in inches, color-coded by range from dark brown (0.00 to 0.12 inches) to dark blue (greater than 1.42 inches). Stations across northern and central Wisconsin predominantly feature dark brown circles reading 0.00 to 0.10 inches. Light blue and green circles indicating higher water availability between 0.60 and 1.04 inches are concentrated in southern and eastern areas near Madison, Janesville, Appleton, and Green Bay.
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Map titled Plant Available Water 8 inch depth across Wisconsin stations. Circular data points indicate water values in inches, using a color legend ranging from dark brown (0.00 to 0.20 inches) to dark blue (greater than 2.36 inches). Northern and north-central stations show very low values, mostly between 0.00 and 0.48 inches marked in dark brown. Southern, southeastern, and eastern coastal stations display light blue and blue circles with higher values ranging from 1.04 to 2.05 inches.
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Map titled Plant Available Water 20 inch depth across Wisconsin stations. Circular markers plot soil water content in inches with a legend spanning dark brown (0.00 to 0.39 inches) to dark blue (greater than 5.91 inches). Deep subsoil moisture remains low (0.00 to 0.66 inches) across northwestern and north-central stations. Mid-range to high values appear in central, southern, and eastern locations, peaking at 5.16 inches in central Wisconsin and between 3.00 and 4.95 inches across southern counties.
- For Wisconet stations included in the chart and table, most saw increased soil moisture from last week’s report. Several stations reported over 1” of rainfall, with Brillion standing out with over 5” of rain last week.
- Stations included in the chart and table that are currently in D1 drought are Hancock (Waushara), Marshfield (Marathon), Osseo (Trempealeau), and Suring (Oconto).
- Stations included in the chart and table that are currently in D2 drought are River Falls (Pierce) and Rice Lake (Barron).
- The maps (above) show the daily average Wisconet plant available water (inches) on September 7th.
- The table (below) shows total precipitation and changes in plant available water from August 31st (Start) to September 7th (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 | 1.03 | 0.51 | 0.82 | 1.29 | 1.60 | 3.61 | 3.92 |
| Brillion | Calumet | 5.03 | 0.06 | 0.58 | 0.23 | 1.40 | 1.63 | 4.08 |
| Hancock | Waushara | 2.20 | 0.00 | 0.02 | 0.00 | 0.10 | 0.00 | 0.20 |
| Lancaster | Grant | 0.44 | 0.71 | 0.74 | 1.56 | 1.58 | 4.66 | 4.68 |
| Marshfield | Marathon | 1.04 | 0.81 | 1.02 | 1.92 | 2.13 | 4.96 | 5.16 |
| Osseo | Trempealeau | 0.55 | 0.57 | 0.64 | 1.02 | 1.08 | 3.39 | 3.40 |
| Porter | Rock | 0.56 | 0.68 | 0.96 | 1.68 | 1.92 | 4.56 | 4.80 |
| Rice Lake | Barron | 0.04 | 0.12 | 0.00 | 0.12 | 0.00 | 0.82 | 0.66 |
| River Falls | Pierce | 0.71 | 0.01 | 0.00 | 0.01 | 0.00 | 0.01 | 0.00 |
| Suring | Oconto | 1.95 | 0.00 | 0.45 | 0.00 | 0.76 | 0.00 | 0.76 |
| Walworth | Walworth | 0.51 | 0.88 | 0.97 | 1.79 | 1.94 | 4.82 | 4.95 |
| Wisconet Station | Current 4″ Soil Moisture | Last Week’s 4″ Soil Moisture | 1 Month Ago 4″ Soil Moisture |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arlington | 0.82 | 0.51 | 0.71 |
| Brillion | 0.58 | 0.06 | 0.12 |
| Hancock | 0.02 | 0.00 | 0.02 |
| Lancaster | 0.74 | 0.71 | 0.84 |
| Marshfield | 1.02 | 0.81 | 0.15 |
| Osseo | 0.64 | 0.57 | 0.55 |
| Porter | 0.96 | 0.68 | 0.93 |
| Rice Lake | 0.00 | 0.12 | 0.00 |
| River Falls | 0.00 | 0.01 | 0.04 |
| Suring | 0.45 | 0.00 | 0.06 |
| Walworth | 0.97 | 0.88 | 0.72 |
USDA Soil Moisture Reports
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A United States map published by the USDA titled Topsoil Moisture Percent Adequate for the week ending September 6, 2026. The summary box for 48 states shows 42 percent adequate, down 2 from last week. Individual state labels list top numbers for percent adequate and bottom bracketed numbers for weekly change: Wisconsin at 57 percent (+1), Michigan at 79 percent (+20), Iowa at 70 percent (+3), Illinois at 58 percent (-15), Indiana at 69 percent (-2), Ohio at 86 percent (+11), Minnesota at 43 percent (+2), North Dakota at 38 percent (+3), South Dakota at 24 percent (+5), Nebraska at 43 percent (-4), Kansas at 21 percent (-9), Texas at 11 percent (+1), California at 90 percent (+0), Pennsylvania at 69 percent (-9), New York at 83 percent (-5), Massachusetts at 0 percent (-35), Connecticut at 85 percent (-5), and Rhode Island at 95 percent (+5).
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A map published by the USDA Office of the Chief Economist titled Subsoil Moisture Percent Adequate for the week ending September 6, 2026. The 48-state national summary box lists adequate subsoil moisture at 43 percent, representing a change of minus 1 from last week. Individual state values display percent adequate on top with change from last week bracketed below. Notable values include California at 90 percent (+0), Wisconsin at 63 percent (+2), Michigan at 71 percent (+24), Iowa at 68 percent (+1), Illinois at 59 percent (-12), Indiana at 71 percent (+1), Ohio at 77 percent (+12), Minnesota at 40 percent (+2), North Dakota at 36 percent (-1), Nebraska at 38 percent (-2), Kansas at 27 percent (-4), Texas at 16 percent (+0), New York at 93 percent (+0), Vermont at 100 percent (+10), Rhode Island at 100 percent (+0), and Massachusetts at 0 percent (-35).
- 57% and 63% of agricultural soils in the state are reported as having adequate topsoil and subsoil moisture. These values increased from last week’s report.
- 41% and 36% of agricultural soils in the state are reported as having short to very short topsoil and subsoil moisture, respectively. These values decreased from last week’s report.
Wisconet Soil Temperature
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Map titled 4 in Soil Temperature (F) displaying readings across Wisconsin weather stations. Station markers are color-coded based on temperature brackets ranging from blue (less than 10 degrees F) to red (greater than 100 degrees F). All active stations fall within yellow (70 to 80 degrees F) and lime green (60 to 70 degrees F) categories. The lowest recorded temperature is 64.6 degrees F in northern Wisconsin, while the highest readings reach 76.8 degrees F in southwestern regions near Sparta and La Crosse.
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Map titled 8 in Soil Temperature (F) showing subsoil temperature readings across Wisconsin. Circular station markers use a color-coded legend from blue to red. Most stations in northern and central Wisconsin fall in the light green range (60 to 70 degrees F), with readings such as 63.9 degrees near Ashland and 66.2 degrees near Merrill. Southern and southwestern stations fall in the yellow range (70 to 80 degrees F), peaking at 76.8 degrees F near Sparta.
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Map titled 20 in Soil Temperature (F) across Wisconsin stations. Data circles show deep soil temperatures in degrees Fahrenheit, color-coded by range. Northern stations show cooler deep-soil temperatures in the low-to-mid 60s, including 61.5 degrees F near Ashland and 63.0 degrees F near Superior. Central and southern stations display warmer temperatures in the upper 60s and 70s, with a high reading of 76.8 degrees F in the southwest near Sparta.
- The maps show daily average Wisconet soil temperature conditions on September 7th.
U.S. Drought Monitor
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A map titled U.S. Drought Monitor Midwest, valid September 8, 2026 and released Thursday, September 10, 2026. Author is Curtis Riganti from the National Drought Mitigation Center, with logos for USDA, NDMC, UNL, NOAA, and NASA. The map displays color-coded intensity levels across the Midwestern states: white for none, yellow for D0 abnormally dry, tan for D1 moderate drought, orange for D2 severe drought, red for D3 extreme drought, and dark red for D4 exceptional drought. Northern Minnesota and northwest Wisconsin feature notable concentrations of D2 severe drought and D3 extreme drought, with southern Missouri also showing severe to extreme drought pockets. Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio are predominantly drought-free. A summary table indicates current statistics: None at 45.37 percent, D0-D4 at 54.63 percent, D1-D4 at 26.20 percent, D2-D4 at 15.26 percent, D3-D4 at 3.29 percent, and D4 at 0.00 percent. Historical reference statistics are included for last week, 3 months ago, start of calendar year, start of water year, and one year ago.
Compared to last week:
- Midwest: D1-D4 coverage decreased by 2-3%, with a minimal increase (<1%) in D3 coverage. Drought improved by 1 class across eastern WI, northern MN, and western IA. Drought expanded/worsened across much of MO.
- 73.8% of the Midwest region is drought free (~26.2% in D1-D4).
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A state map titled U.S. Drought Monitor Wisconsin, valid September 8, 2026, released September 10, 2026 by author Curtis Riganti of the National Drought Mitigation Center. Northwestern and northern Wisconsin are covered by a large red zone indicating D3 extreme drought surrounded by orange D2 severe drought. Central and west-central areas are shaded tan for D1 moderate drought, while central-east, southern, and eastern portions are shaded yellow for D0 abnormally dry. Small white areas along the far southern and eastern borders have no drought designation. The data table shows current coverage as: None at 7.66 percent, D0-D4 at 92.34 percent, D1-D4 at 60.14 percent, D2-D4 at 42.45 percent, D3-D4 at 14.97 percent, and D4 at 0.00 percent, alongside historical comparisons.
- Wisconsin: D1-D4 coverage was reduced by 10% from last week, primarily in eastern and central counties.
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A map titled U.S. Drought Monitor Class Change – Wisconsin 1 Week, comparing conditions on September 8, 2026 to September 1, 2026. Sourced from the National Drought Mitigation Center. Most of the state is shaded gray, representing no change in drought classification. A light green swath extending through central, east-central, and southeast Wisconsin indicates a 1-class improvement in drought status. Small isolated yellow spots along the southern border indicate a 1-class degradation. The legend lists categories from 5-class degradation to 5-class improvement.
- Extreme (D3) drought coverage was unchanged.
U.S. Drought Monitor Time Series
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A line chart titled Wisconsin Drought Time Series (USDM) tracking percentage of state in drought categories from April 28, 2026 to September 8, 2026. The y-axis measures percent of state in category from 0 to 100 in increments of 5. The x-axis lists weekly date points from 4/28/26 to 9/8/26. Four trend lines are displayed: yellow for D0-D4, tan for D1-D4, orange for D2-D4, red for D3-D4, and dark red for D4 (which remains flat at 0). The yellow line (D0-D4) starts near 2 percent, spikes rapidly in late May to around 90 percent by 6/2/26, dips to about 60 percent on 7/7/26, rises back up to peak around 95 percent on 9/1/26, and settles near 92 percent on 9/8/26. The tan line (D1-D4) peaks around 13 percent in June, drops near 1 percent in early July, then climbs sharply to reach approximately 72 percent on 8/18/26 before declining to around 60 percent on 9/8/26. The orange line (D2-D4) begins rising in late July, holding near 42 percent through September. The red line (D3-D4) begins climbing in mid-August and levels off at 15 percent by late August through September 8.
- D0 coverage = 92.3%; D1 coverage = 60.1%; D2 coverage = 42.5%; D3 coverage = 15.0%
Temperature Trends
7 Day Temperatures
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Map titled Average Temperature (degrees Fahrenheit) for September 01, 2026 to September 07, 2026, generated by the Midwestern Regional Climate Center using PRISM Weather Data. Across Wisconsin, average temperatures range from 65 to around 78 degrees Fahrenheit. Northern Wisconsin is shaded in light yellow, representing average temperatures between 65 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Central, western, and southern Wisconsin, including Eau Claire, Green Bay, Madison, and Milwaukee, are shaded in darker yellow and orange, representing average temperatures between 70 and 78 degrees Fahrenheit. A color scale at the bottom spans from 65 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
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Map titled Average Temperature (degrees Fahrenheit): Departure from 1991-2020 Normals for September 01, 2026 to September 07, 2026, generated by the Midwestern Regional Climate Center using PRISM Weather Data. The map of Wisconsin displays warm color shading across the state indicating well above-average temperatures. Most of western, central, and southern Wisconsin, including Eau Claire, Madison, and Milwaukee, is shaded in medium orange representing temperatures 6 to 9 degrees Fahrenheit above normal, with localized areas in the west reaching 9 to 12 degrees above normal. Northern, eastern, and coastal regions, including Green Bay, are shaded light orange to yellow, indicating departures of 3 to 6 degrees Fahrenheit above normal. A color key at the bottom spans from 3 to 15 degrees Fahrenheit above normal.
- Average temperatures were 75-80°F across southern and west-central Wisconsin. Further north and east, temperatures were a bit cooler (upper 60s to low 70s).
- Temperatures were well above normal across the state last week. Temperatures were commonly 9-12°F warmer than normal.
- Heat indices topped 100°F at multiple Wisconet stations on September 1, 2, and 4.
30 Day Temperatures
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Map titled Average Temperature (degrees Fahrenheit) for August 09, 2026 to September 07, 2026, generated by the Midwestern Regional Climate Center using PRISM Weather Data. The map illustrates 30-day average temperatures across Wisconsin. Far northern regions are shaded in pale yellow, representing average temperatures between 63 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit. The remainder of northern, central, and southern Wisconsin, including Eau Claire, Green Bay, Madison, and Milwaukee, is shaded in medium yellow, representing average temperatures between 65 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit. The color scale at the bottom covers 60 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit.
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Map titled Average Temperature (degrees Fahrenheit): Departure from 1991-2020 Normals for August 09, 2026 to September 07, 2026, generated by the Midwestern Regional Climate Center using PRISM Weather Data. The 30-day map shows slightly above-normal temperatures across Wisconsin. Nearly the entire state, including Eau Claire, Green Bay, Madison, and Milwaukee, is shaded in light yellow, corresponding to average temperatures 1 to 2 degrees Fahrenheit above normal. Scattered patches across central and western Wisconsin are shaded in darker tan, representing departures of 2 to 4 degrees Fahrenheit above normal. A color scale at the bottom spans from -1 to 6 degrees Fahrenheit.
Growing Degree Days (Base 50°F)
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Map titled Accumulated GDD (50 degrees Fahrenheit) for May 01, 2026 to September 07, 2026, published by the Midwestern Regional Climate Center and USDA using PRISM Weather Data. The map displays a gradient of accumulated Growing Degree Days across Wisconsin. Far northern Wisconsin shows the lowest accumulations in purple and blue, between 1,520 and 1,800 GDD. Central Wisconsin, including Eau Claire and Green Bay, displays green and yellow shades representing 1,890 to 2,260 GDD. Southern Wisconsin, including Madison and Milwaukee, exhibits orange and red shades indicating higher accumulations between 2,350 and 2,540 GDD, with isolated areas along the southern border approaching 2,630 GDD. A color scale at the bottom spans from 1,520 to 2,720 GDD.
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Map titled Accumulated GDD (50 degrees Fahrenheit) for May 15, 2026 to September 07, 2026, published by the Midwestern Regional Climate Center and USDA using PRISM Weather Data. The map shows a north-to-south gradient of accumulated Growing Degree Days across Wisconsin. Northern regions show values between 1,520 and 1,780 GDD in purple and blue. Central areas around Eau Claire and Green Bay feature green to yellow shades representing 1,870 to 2,220 GDD. Southern Wisconsin, including Madison and Milwaukee, displays orange shading representing 2,310 to 2,480 GDD, with the highest totals along the southwestern border. The color scale at the bottom spans from 1,520 to 2,660 GDD.
- Starting May 1 – Growing degree day accumulation ranges from 2630 GDD in the far south and west to 1800 GDD in the far north. These values are 105-115% of normal.
- Starting May 15 – Growing degree day accumulation ranges from 2570 GDD in the far south and west to 1780 GDD in the far north. These values are 110-115% of normal.
Crop Progress and Condition
Crop Progress Report for Corn
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A United States map published by the USDA Office of the Chief Economist titled Corn Conditions: Percent Good to Excellent, September 6, 2026. The national condition box shows 56 percent good to excellent with a change of minus 1 from last week. Individual state values show the percent good to excellent as the top number and weekly change bracketed below. Notable states include Pennsylvania at 91 percent (+0), Tennessee at 79 percent (-1), Iowa at 77 percent (+0), Illinois at 55 percent (-3), Indiana at 62 percent (+0), Ohio at 61 percent (+0), Wisconsin at 62 percent (+0), Minnesota at 58 percent (-4), Nebraska at 53 percent (-5), Kansas at 41 percent (-1), Texas at 35 percent (+0), Colorado at 35 percent (+5), South Dakota at 42 percent (+3), North Dakota at 19 percent (-5), and North Carolina at 13 percent (-9).
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A United States map published by the USDA titled Corn Progress: Percent Dented, September 6, 2026. The national progress summary indicates 76 percent dented, which is a change of plus 4 from the 5-year average. Colors indicate difference from the 5-year average ranging from dark green (+40% or more) to dark red (-40% or less). Values by state list percent dented with difference from 5-year average bracketed beneath: Minnesota at 85 percent (+22), Iowa at 79 percent (+2), Illinois at 76 percent (-2), Indiana at 68 percent (+1), Ohio at 73 percent (+11), Wisconsin at 57 percent (+2), Michigan at 51 percent (-6), Missouri at 92 percent (+4), Nebraska at 74 percent (-4), Kansas at 86 percent (+4), Kentucky at 88 percent (+9), Tennessee at 96 percent (+4), North Carolina at 95 percent (+0), Pennsylvania at 42 percent (-2), North Dakota at 62 percent (+12), South Dakota at 72 percent (+7), Colorado at 48 percent (+1), and Texas at 94 percent (+2).
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A map titled Soybean Conditions: Percent Good to Excellent, September 6, 2026, prepared by the USDA Office of the Chief Economist. The national condition box lists good to excellent at 58 percent with a weekly change of 0. Individual states show top numbers for percent good to excellent and bracketed bottom numbers for change from last week: Iowa at 75 percent (-2), Illinois at 57 percent (-2), Indiana at 63 percent (+0), Ohio at 58 percent (+0), Wisconsin at 60 percent (-1), Minnesota at 56 percent (-1), Michigan at 54 percent (+3), Missouri at 55 percent (-7), Arkansas at 71 percent (+5), Mississippi at 64 percent (+4), Louisiana at 65 percent (-4), Kentucky at 69 percent (+4), Tennessee at 74 percent (-1), Nebraska at 64 percent (-1), Kansas at 37 percent (-7), South Dakota at 48 percent (+3), North Dakota at 28 percent (-2), and North Carolina at 58 percent (-6).
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A United States map published by the USDA titled Soybeans Progress: Percent Dropping Leaves, September 6, 2026. The national progress panel shows 26 percent dropping leaves with a change of plus 6 compared to the 5-year average. State data displays top numbers for percent dropping leaves and bottom bracketed numbers for change from 5-year average: Tennessee at 59 percent (+31), Minnesota at 31 percent (+20), Kentucky at 37 percent (+20), Mississippi at 70 percent (+18), Louisiana at 82 percent (+15), Arkansas at 55 percent (+18), Missouri at 21 percent (+10), Kansas at 26 percent (+8), Iowa at 6 percent (-4), Illinois at 24 percent (+5), Indiana at 23 percent (+3), Ohio at 15 percent (+0), Wisconsin at 12 percent (+7), Michigan at 19 percent (-1), Nebraska at 19 percent (-7), South Dakota at 27 percent (+5), North Dakota at 33 percent (+7), and North Carolina at 17 percent (-1).
- Wisconsin had 5.0 days suitable for fieldwork statewide.
- The report notes that last week’s rainfall may have been too late to benefit crops in some portions of the state.
- 12% of the state’s soybeans are dropping leaves.
- Corn is 93% at dough stage, 57% at dent stage, and 14% at maturity.
- Corn and soybean conditions are 62% and 60% good to excellent, respectively. The soybean condition is down 1% from last week’s report.
- Oats are 95% harvested, with 7% of the new winter wheat crop planted.
- Pasture and range were rated 42% good to excellent, down 3% from last week.
- Read the full USDA report.
Forecasts and Outlooks
7 Day Precipitation Forecast
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A map titled 7-Day Quantitative Precipitation Forecast for September 10–17, 2026, sourced from National Weather Service Weather Prediction Center and Drought.gov, last updated September 10, 2026. Labeled cities include Superior, Minneapolis, Madison, and Milwaukee, with NOAA, NIDIS, and National Weather Service logos in the upper corner. The forecast uses color coding to show predicted inches of precipitation across Wisconsin ranging from white (0 inches) to pink (20 inches). Central Wisconsin is covered by dark red shades indicating predicted precipitation amounts of 3 to 4 inches, transitioning outward through purple shades (1.75 to 2 inches) and blue shades (0.75 to 1.25 inches) in the southern and far northern counties.
- When? – Rain chances are highest on Monday (9/14), Tuesday (9/15), and Wednesday (9/16).
- Where? – Current model predictions show totals of over 1” statewide, with totals highest in the north-central and northwest counties.
- Check your local forecast for details on totals and timing.
- Average precip (1991-2020) for this week: 0.84”.
8-14 Day Temperature and Precipitation Outlook
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A map titled 8–14 Day Precipitation Outlook for September 17–23, 2026, sourced from the Climate Prediction Center and Drought.gov, last updated September 09, 2026. Labeled cities include Superior, Minneapolis, Madison, and Milwaukee. The map shows two probabilistic zones across Wisconsin: northern and central counties are shaded gray, representing near-normal conditions, while southern Wisconsin is shaded light teal, representing a 33% to 40% probability of above-normal precipitation
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A map titled 8–14 Day Temperature Outlook for September 17–23, 2026, sourced from the Climate Prediction Center and Drought.gov, last updated September 09, 2026. Labeled locations include Superior, Minneapolis, Wisconsin, Madison, and Milwaukee. The map shows northernmost counties shaded in very light blue, representing a 33% to 40% probability of below-normal temperatures, while central and southern Wisconsin are shaded gray, representing near-normal temperature conditions.
- Mid-to-Late September: Most of Wisconsin shows a lean towards near-normal temperatures, with a below-normal lean (33-40%) in the far north. Precipitation shows a lean towards above normal (33-40% odds) in the southern half of the state, with a near-normal lean elsewhere.
- Statewide normals (1991-2020) for September 17-23 are 57.9°F and 0.84”.
30 Day Temperature and Precipitation Outlook
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A Monthly Precipitation Outlook map from the Climate Prediction Center and Drought.gov for September 1 through 30, 2026. The entire state of Wisconsin and surrounding upper Midwest regions are unshaded white, indicating equal chances for above, below, or near-normal precipitation. Light teal shading covers parts of northern Lake Huron and Ontario, signaling a 33 to 40 percent probability of above-normal precipitation in that distant northeast zone. The legend at the bottom details color scales for below-normal, above-normal, and near-normal precipitation probabilities ranging from 33 to 100 percent. Source credits list the Climate Prediction Center, last updated August 31, 2026.
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A Monthly Temperature Outlook map from the Climate Prediction Center and Drought.gov for September 1 through 30, 2026. Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan are covered in light orange shading, indicating a 40 to 50 percent probability of above-normal temperatures. A slightly darker orange band in southwestern Iowa and northwestern Missouri indicates a 50 to 60 percent probability of above-normal temperatures, while lighter yellow shading covers eastern Michigan and Lake Michigan, representing a 33 to 40 percent probability. The bottom legend outlines probability levels for below-normal, above-normal, and near-normal temperatures. Source credits list the Climate Prediction Center, last updated August 31, 2026.
- September: Temperatures are leaning towards above normal statewide (40-50% odds), with precipitation uncertain with “equal chances”.
- Statewide normals (1991-2020) for September 1-30 are 59.5°F and 3.59”.
90 Day Temperature and Precipitation Outlook
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Seasonal (3-Month) Precipitation Outlook map for September 1 to November 30, 2026, published by Drought.gov and sourced from the Climate Prediction Center (last updated 08/20/26). The map covers Wisconsin and neighboring Upper Midwest states. Most of Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, and Illinois are unshaded, indicating equal chances for above-, near-, or below-normal precipitation. A light tan shade covers eastern Michigan, representing a 33% to 40% probability of below-normal precipitation. Color scales at the bottom define probabilities ranging from 33% to 100% for below-normal (tan/brown), above-normal (teal/green), and near-normal (gray) precipitation.
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Seasonal (3-Month) Temperature Outlook map for September 1 to November 30, 2026, published by Drought.gov and sourced from the Climate Prediction Center (last updated 08/20/26). The map shows the Upper Midwest region, including Wisconsin. A light yellow shade covers all of Wisconsin, Michigan’s Upper and Lower Peninsulas, Minnesota, Iowa, and northern Illinois and Indiana, indicating a 33% to 40% probability of above-normal temperatures. A white area in southern Illinois and Indiana indicates equal chances for above-, near-, or below-normal temperatures. Color scales at the bottom define probabilities ranging from 33% to 100% for below-normal (blue), above-normal (yellow/orange/red), and near-normal (gray) temperatures.
- Sep-Nov: Temperatures are leaning towards above normal (33-40% odds) for almost all of Wisconsin. Precipitation is uncertain statewide except for the far northeast (below normal lean).
- Statewide normals (1991-2020) for Sep-Nov are 46.6°F and 8.59”.
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