Cooler than Normal Temperatures

Throughout much of the Midwest, below-normal temperatures were experienced this week. Average temperatures were near normal to as much as 7°F below normal (Figure 1). Henry County, located in northwestern Illinois, had an average temperature of 68.6°F, which was exactly 7°F below normal. Cold and stationary fronts were to blame for the cooler-than-normal conditions. Only northern Minnesota experienced normal to slightly above normal temperatures. Kittson County, in extreme northwest Minnesota, had an average temperature of 71.6°F, which was 3.5°F above normal. Average maximum temperatures were 2 to 12°F below normal for most locations, with the most extreme temperature departures in northern Illinois and eastern Iowa (Figure 2). Average minimum temperatures, however, were above normal through much of the Ohio River Valley (Figure 3) and below normal across the upper Midwest.

Rain through Much of the Midwest, Dryness Continues in Minnesota

Spotty, heavy thunderstorms packed a punch across the Midwest. Widespread 1-3 inches of precipitation were observed, with isolated locations receiving up to 7 inches of rain (Figure 4). Northern Missouri and southern Iowa received the most rainfall ranging 3-6 inches above normal for the week (Figure 5). Sullivan County, located in north central Missouri, received 6.91 inches, which was 5.94 inches above normal. Most of Minnesota missed out on the rain, receiving less than 0.1 inches.

Severe Weather

There were 250 storm reports across the Midwest this week (Figure 6). Most of the 44 tornado reports (37/44) occurred in Iowa. On July 14, an EF-1 tornado touched down near Monticello, Missouri causing damage to homes, farmsteads, powerlines, and trees. Forty-one hail reports occurred throughout the week, with the most significant occurring in Polk County, Iowa, where 3.25-inch diameter hail fell on July 9. Wind reports totaled 165, with eight reports in excess of 70 miles per hour. Ralls County, Missouri, observed a 90 mph wind gust on July 9, with widespread wind damage in the town of Perry.

Drought Worsens in Minnesota

Overall, the percent of Midwest area affected by dryness and/or drought declined by 5.13% on this week’s U.S. Drought Monitor map compared to last week (Figure 7). Abnormally Dry (D0) regions in central Wisconsin, southern Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio had improvement this week. However, conditions worsened in Minnesota where extreme drought (D3) snuck in as much of the state missed out on rainfall. Nearly 1% of the entire Midwest was classified as D3.