Midwest Overview - July 2014

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Coolest July Since 2009

The Midwest was cool in July. Temperatures averaged below normal across the region, ranging from just 1°F below normal in northern Minnesota and eastern Ohio to 5°F below normal much of central and southern Illinois as well as parts of the neighboring states (Figure 1). July 2014 was the coolest July since 2009 except in Missouri where 2014 was just a bit cooler than 2009, ranking only behind 1950. Statewide temperatures rank among the coolest 10% in eight of nine Midwest states (IN tied 1st, IL and MO 2nd, IA and OH 3rd, KY 4th, MI 7th, WI 11th, and MN 27th out of 120 years). There were few 90°F days during July with none in Cleveland and Indianapolis, one in Chicago, Cincinnati, and Detroit, two in Minneapolis, three in Des Moines, and nine in Louisville and St. Louis, which all were the lowest July totals for those cities since 2009. Year to date temperatures for the Midwest ranked as the 7th coolest in the past 120 years. Statewide, year to date temperatures ranked from 5th to 15th over the same time period.
 

Fairly Dry

Rainfall totals were below normal for much of the Midwest (Figure 2). A few pockets of slightly above normal rainfall extended from eastern Iowa to eastern Kentucky and along the northern edge of the Midwest near the Great Lakes. Lower Michigan was the only significant area with totals ranging from 150% to 200% of normal. Areas with less than 50% of normal were scattered across seven of the nine Midwest states sparing only Ohio and Michigan. Statewide, Michigan was the only state wetter than normal while the other eight states ranked from about the 10th percentile to the 40th percentile of driest July precipitation.
 

Drought

There was little drought in the Midwest in July and no severe drought (Figure 3). Southwest Missouri was in moderate drought throughout the month and parts of western Kentucky had moderate drought develop during the month. Despite the meager rainfall totals, cool weather limited evapotranspiration and sufficient sub soil moisture have prevented drought impacts from appearing in much of the region.
 

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The Iowa Climatology Bureau also contributed to this report.
The Minnesota State Climatology Office also contributed to this report.
The Missouri Climate Center also contributed to this report.