Normal to Above Normal Temperatures

The majority of the Midwest observed near-normal average temperatures to just over 6°F above normal (Figure 1). The largest temperature deviations occurred in Minnesota and Iowa, where an average temperature of 79.5°F was observed at the St. Paul Downtown Airport (Minnesota), which was 6.2°F above normal for the week. To the east, average temperatures were less than 2°F above normal in Indiana, Kentucky, and Ohio. Isolated locations in northern Kentucky and eastern Ohio recorded 1-2°F below normal temperatures. Larger temperature deviations were observed in average maximum temperatures (Figure 2). Similar trends can be seen, where the warmest maximum temperatures were observed in Minnesota and Iowa, with widespread departures of 2-8°F. To find below-normal temperatures, you would have to look to central-eastern Ohio and northern Michigan. Average maximum temperatures were 1-3°F below normal in those locations. Average minimum temperatures followed the same pattern (Figure 3).

Variable Precipitation in the Midwest

Several locations in the Midwest missed out on precipitation this week (Figure 4). Spotty storms are to blame for variable precipitation totals. The heaviest of the precipitation fell in northwestern Wisconsin, where totals ranged from 0.5 to over 7”. Rusk County, Wisconsin received 7.18” of precipitation, which was 5.84” above normal for the week. Southern Iowa stretching into Missouri and Illinois also received rainfall totaling 0.5-4.9”. Lewis County, Missouri measured 4.9”, which was 3.67” above normal. Most of Michigan received 0.25-2”, with isolated locations receiving nearly 4”. Western Ohio and eastern Kentucky pulled in precipitation totals ranging from 1-4". Areas that missed out on precipitation were 1-2" below normal on precipitation for the week (Figure 5).

Storm Reports

There were 38 preliminary tornado reports in the Midwest region this week. On July 24th, Michigan totaled 4 tornado reports where an EF-1 tornado caused an injury in Oakland County and other reports of damage to properties and snapped trees. On July 28th, Wisconsin had 13 tornado reports. An EF-1 tornado touched down in St. Croix County, had a path length of 5.7 miles, maximum width of 100 yards, and damaged a dozen homes. On July 29th, Ohio reported 10 tornadoes with several being rated EF-1. There were 64 preliminary hail reports in the Midwest. Several reports of 1-2" hail occurred, and a report of 2-3" diameter hail occurred in Douglas County, Wisconsin on July 26th. There were 292 preliminary wind reports throughout the region. Seven spotters noted winds in excess of 70 mph and 30 reported winds in excess of 60 mph. A 78-mph wind was reported in Marathon County, Wisconsin on July 28th.

Drought Update

In central Minnesota, there was a slight improvement to reported conditions on the July 27th Drought Monitor (Figure 6). The southeastern portion of the D3 (Extreme Drought) category improved to D2 (Severe Drought). Given the heavy rains in Wisconsin, much of the D0 (abnormally dry) category was removed from the drought monitor. In Iowa, parts of the D0 (abnormally dry) category expanded southwest.