Midwest Weekly Highlights - September 17-23, 2013

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Precipitation Totals Vary

Precipitation across the Midwest varied widely for the third week of September. Rainfall totals ranged from just hundredths of and inch to several inches (Figure 1). Total rainfall of two to four times normal fell over large parts of Indiana, Ohio, and Kentucky as well as smaller parts of Missouri, Iowa, and Wisconsin (Figure 2). The driest areas were in the northwest parts of the region where totals were less than 50% of normal and less than 10% of normal in localized areas. With the variable rainfall, drought conditions saw improvements or degradations depending on the location. A few dozen daily precipitation records were set, mostly in Indiana, Ohio, and Kentucky.
 

Moderate Temperatures

Temperatures were 1° to 3°F above normal on the western edge of the region and dropped to 1° to 3°F below normal on the eastern edge (Figure 3). Very few daily temperature records were set with the moderate temperatures across the region.
 

Harvest Gets Underway

Corn and soybeans were reaching maturity behind the 2008-2012 average but the harvest has begun in the Midwest. Although remaining behind the 5-year average by most measures, the crops have closed the gap over the last few weeks. The majority of these crops in each state were in the Fair or Good condition categories (Figure 4).

Sep 22nd Statistics	Corn				Soybeans
	% Mature		% Harvested		% Dropping Leaves		% Harvested
State	2013	2008-12	2013	2008-12	2013	2008-12	2013	2008-12
Illinois	47	62	5	24	37	47	1	6
Indiana	47	55	6	14	67	64	4	9
Iowa	35	61	3	9	22	57	1	7
Kentucky	74	85	25	44	28	55	1	6
Michigan	28	43	3	5	48	54	<1	4
Minnesota	17	45	<1	6	46	69	1	10
Missouri	57	75	16	36	21	30	<1	2
Ohio	32	44	3	6	70	61	3	10
Wisconsin	24	35	<1	3	29	51	<1	3

Severe Weather Limited to 18th and 19th

Hail and high winds reached severe levels in the region only on the 18th and 19th. Hail reports of 1" to 2" in diameter were most common in Minnesota and Iowa with a few reports in Wisconsin, Illinois, and Indiana. Wind damage reports were more widespread sparing only the eastern states of Kentucky, Ohio, and Michigan. Winds topped 70 mph in both Iowa and Minnesota. Damage was mostly to trees but damage was also reported to crops, roofs, fences, signs, and even some empty rail cars. Some rail cars were blown down the tracks while a few others were blown over near Marshall, MN (Lyon County). Also in Minnesota, a tree branch fell on a vehicle in Hutchinson (McLeod County) causing minor injuries to one person.
 

-MST-