Midwest Weekly Highlights - June 17-23, 2020

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Mixed Temperatures

A mix of above and below normal temperatures were observed across the Midwest during the period (Figure 1).  The Great Lakes were largely 1-3°F above normal, while some areas of southern Kentucky, eastern Iowa and southeastern Missouri were slightly below normal.  However, most of Iowa, Missouri and western Minnesota were near normal.
 

Summer Thunderstorms

A typical summertime pattern of afternoon through overnight thunderstorms left some areas of the Midwest very wet with others drier (Figure 2).  Parts of eastern Iowa had more than four inches of rain, with many other areas in the Upper Midwest receiving more than two inches.  Precipitation in these areas was more than twice the normal amount (Figure 3).  Some of the heaviest amounts in Iowa included 8.00 inches in Conrad (Grundy County), 6.48 inches in Garwin (Tama County) and 6.31 inches in Hampton (Franklin County).  More than 80 daily precipitation records were broken across the region (Figure 4).  Meanwhile, most of the Ohio River Valley had half an inch to an inch for the period. Areas in Lower Michigan, southwestern Missouri and the Arrowhead of Minnesota had less than half an inch, which was half the normal amount.
 

Scattered Severe Weather

Thunderstorms across the region produced some severe weather during the period (Figure 5).  Most of the more than 150 storm reports came on June 17 in northwestern Minnesota and June 21 across western Iowa.  On June 17, several tornado reports and strong winds were reported in Kittson and Roseau counties in Minnesota.  These winds included an 80 mph gusts near Donaldson and a 90-mph gust from a downburst near Haug.  Several weaker tornadoes were also reported in Marshall County, MN.  On June 21, strong winds impacted northern Iowa and Ohio.  Trees and power lines were damaged in these areas.  Large hail was also reported in northeastern and south-central Minnesota.
 

-BJP-