Midwest Weekly Highlights - May 18-24, 2014

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Mostly Dry

A large fraction of the Midwest received less than half its normal precipitation during the third week of May (Figure 1). Many of these areas received less than 25% or even 10% of normal with scattered pocket where no precipitation was reported. The exception was in northwest Wisconsin, and into parts of Minnesota, where 1.50" to 2.00" of rain fell during the week (Figure 2). Totals were more than twice normal in some of these locations. The US Drought Monitor through the 20th of May (Figure 3) showed little change from the previous week despite the dry conditions.
 

Moderate Temperatures

Temperatures averaged slightly above normal in the western and northern Midwest and slightly below normal in the southeast (Figure 4). The warmest areas, as compared to normal, were in the southwest and northwest corners of the region with values up to 4°F above normal. In the southeast corner of the region departures were just a degree or two below normal. Warm temperatures were more widespread in maximum temperatures (Figure 5) across the region while cooler temperatures were more widespread in minimum temperatures (Figure 6). This wider than normal range of daily temperatures is common during drier than normal periods.
 

Severe Weather

While the week was free of tornado reports in the Midwest, severe weather still did its damage, particularly on the 20th (Figure 7) and 21st (Figure 8). A handful of large hail reports came in on other days during the week leaving only the 23rd unaffected by severe weather. Hail and wind damage on the 20th stretched in a narrow band across Iowa, northern Illinois, and into northern Indiana and southwest Michigan. Winds of 60 to 70 miles per hour and more than 100 reports of hail greater than 1", dozens larger than 1.75" (golf ball sized), stretched along this path. On the 21st, a more widespread damage path kicked off in east central Illinois during the afternoon and spread east and southeast with reports primarily related to large hail transitioning to mostly wind damage reports. Hail reports of 2.50" and more came in from Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio. The largest hail fell in Tuscola, Illinois (Douglas County) where a 20 minute long hailstorm battered cars and buildings with hail up to 4.00" in diameter. Hundreds of cars were damaged with windows and sunroofs destroyed and car bodies dented. The large hail also damaged hundreds of houses, both roofs and siding, in the city and punched dozens of holes in flat roofs on downtown businesses and the community school. Hail remained on the ground for hours after the storm had passed.
 

-MST-