August 2016
Monthly Overview - August 2016
Another Wet Month
August precipitation was above normal for nearly the entire region, with areas receiving more than twice their normal rainfall scattered across all nine Midwest states
(Figure 1). A few areas received below-normal precipitation, but far more were much wetter than normal. The region as a whole (154% of normal) ranked as the second wettest August on record (1895-2016), with all nine states ranking among the wettest 25% of their records. Both Illinois and Indiana ranked as the second wettest August, while Michigan and Missouri ranked 5th, and Minnesota ranked 7th. Stations receiving more than a foot of rain during the month numbered in the dozens across seven states (excepting Kentucky and Ohio). More than 10 such stations were located in each of Missouri, Illinois, and Indiana. Missouri and Indiana each had a station top 17 inches for the month.
Warmth in the East
Temperatures ranged from near-normal along the western edge of the region to as much as 5°F above normal in eastern Ohio (Figure 2). The region ranked as the 16th warmest August on record, with all nine states above normal. Ohio statewide temperatures ranked as the 3rd warmest, Michigan 5th, Kentucky 10th, and Indiana 11th warmest putting all four states among the warmest 10%. Minimum temperatures
(Figure 3) in August were more above normal than maximum temperatures (Figure 4).
Wet Soils
The abundant rainfall in August has reduced the drought to less than 2% of the region with most of the remaining drought areas in northern Ohio. Soil moisture was above normal for this time of year and stream flows
(Figure 5) were well above average in much of the region as the month ended. Flooding and flash flooding were problems, particularly later in the month (see Week 4 report).
Crop Conditions
Conditions of corn and soybeans were rated good or excellent in more than 70% of seven Midwest states as August wrapped up, according to the NASS Crop Progress report. Michigan was lower with only 58% of the corn and 64% of the soybeans rated such. Ohio had only 45% of corn and 54% of soybeans rated good or better. The poorer crop conditions in Ohio and Michigan were mostly due to dryness earlier in the summer.
Severe Weather
Severe weather was widespread in both time and space. Only four days in August (6th-8th and the 21st) had no reports of severe weather. Tornadoes were reported on 12 days throughout the month with very active days on the 20th (Figure 6) and 24th
(Figure 7). All nine states reported both tornadoes and thunderstorm wind damage in August. Only Michigan escaped large hail during the month. The largest hail fell in Minnesota on the 10th (2.00") and the 28th (2.50"). An EF-2 tornado was reported northwest of Indianapolis, Indiana in Boone County on the 15th. Multiple EF-2 tornadoes struck Indiana and Ohio on the 24th with an EF-3 tornado on that day near Kokomo, Indiana
(Howard County) that injured 20 people. Northwestern Minnesota was hit by an EF-2 tornado on the 28th.
Summer 2016
Summer temperatures were above normal in the Midwest (Figure 8). Regionally, the summer ranked as the 15th warmest with all nine states above normal. Ohio, 2nd warmest, and Michigan, 11th, both ranked among the warmest 10% of summers in their records (1895-2016). Summer precipitation was above normal for the majority of the region
(Figure 9). Ohio was the only state below normal for the summer. Summer 2016 precipitation for the Midwest ranked as the 5th wettest on record, falling just behind summer of 2015 which ranked 4th.
Year-to-date 2016
January to August 2016 ranked among the warmest 10% of the record (1895-2016) in all nine Midwest states as well as the region as a whole. The region ranked 6th and the statewide ranking all fell between 6th and 11th. January to August precipitation ranked 13th for the Midwest as a whole with only Ohio falling below normal. Wisconsin ranked as the 5th wettest such period, while Michigan and Minnesota ranked 7th wettest.
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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.