July 2017
Monthly Overview - July 2017
Precipitation Varied
Rainfall totals across the Midwest in July ranged from less than an inch to more than eight inches
(Figure 1). The lowest totals, less than an inch, were in northwestern Iowa, south-central Iowa, and northwestern Minnesota, accounting for less than 25% of normal for July (Figure 2). The wettest areas were with six or more inches of rain extended from the southeastern tip of Minnesota to southeastern Ohio and northeastern Kentucky. The areas with six of more inches included parts of Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Kentucky along with most of Indiana and Ohio. Totals over eight inches extended along the Illinois-Wisconsin border and in central Ohio which was more than 200% of normal.
Seasonal Temperature
Temperatures were within 1°F of normal for the majority of the Midwest
(Figure 3). A few small areas in the northernmost regions were slightly cooler and some areas, mostly in the southwestern third of the region, were slightly warmer. The warmest weather for July was mostly centered on the third week of the month which also saw very humid conditions. The warmth and humidity led to high heat index values and excessive heat warnings from the National Weather Service.
Drought Developed in Iowa
At the onset of July, drought was identified in only about 2% of the Midwest (Figure 4). The areas affected by drought in early July were located in northwestern Minnesota and north central Missouri, with just a small part of south-central Iowa affected. Pockets of abnormally dry conditions were located in every Midwest state except Wisconsin. By the end of the month, drought had expanded from northwestern Iowa to southeastern Iowa including an area of severe drought in south-central Iowa. Other areas with drought included parts of Minnesota, Missouri, and Illinois. The total area accounted for nearly 8% of the region
(Figure 5). The abnormally dry areas at the end of July were primarily in the western half of the region, but also included a swath from north-central Indiana into southern Michigan.
Severe Weather
Severe weather was reported across the Midwest (Figure 6), even affecting some of the drier areas. Only five days in July went without a severe weather report (8th, 14th, 24th, 27th, and 29th) while eight days had 90 or more reports (6th, 7th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 19th, 21st, and 22nd). Seven of the nine Midwest states had at least one tornado report, with tornado reports on 8 separate days. Wind and hail reports were far more common, with 26 and 21 days with reports respectively. Large hail, 2" or larger, were reported in many locations in Minnesota along with a few in Wisconsin.
Crop Conditions
Crop conditions varied locally with various factors affecting the conditions. Reports fell among the range of conditions reported over the past five years with nearly all areas in better shape than in 2012. Depending on the location, many areas also had another year or two of poorer conditions than 2017 but most also had past years with better condition as well. The reasons for the less-than-stellar condition reports varied by location with both wet and dry issues reported in the region, hail and wind damage, and lingering issues from either late planting or replanting.
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The Iowa Climatology Bureau also contributed to this report.
The Minnesota State Climatology Office also contributed to this report.