Below-Normal Temperatures

Temperatures were largely below normal across the Midwest this week, fueled by the passing cold front toward the end of last week and another system that developed mid-week (Figure 1). Preliminary statewide data indicated that Indiana, Ohio, and Illinois were most abnormal with temperatures that were 7.1°F, 7.0°F, and 6.3°F below normal, respectively. Kokomo (Howard County), Indiana’s average temperature was 60.4°F, which was exactly 9.0°F below normal for the week. The station’s lowest minimum temperature of 41°F occurred on June 9 and just two days later, temperatures rebounded to 86°F. Minnesota was the sole state with a near-normal temperature (0.1°F), but had locations nearing 4°F above normal. Browns Valley (Traverse County), Minnesota recorded an average temperature of 69.4°F (3.9°F above normal), earning the title ‘most above-normal temperature in the Midwest’. Maximum (Figure 2) and minimum (Figure 3) temperatures followed similar patterns, but minimum temperatures were nearly 10°F below normal in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, and Ohio. There were 152 daily low minimum and 85 low maximum temperature records that were broken or tied this week (Figure 4).

Precipitation Returns for Some, Not Others

Some areas that missed out on rain over the past few weeks received a little relief this week. Heaviest rain totals were observed in Ohio. Many of these stations measured more than 2 inches this week (Figure 5), which was more than 1.25 inches above normal (Figure 6) or more than 200 percent of normal (Figure 7). Bellefontaine (Logan County), Ohio, measured 4.19 inches of rain (2.97 inches above normal); 2.81 inches was measured on June 12. Southeastern Kentucky had locations that received between 125 and 200 percent of normal precipitation. Other isolated Midwest areas received near-to-above-normal precipitation for the week. There were 38 daily precipitation records broken or tied this week, most located in central Ohio (Figure 8). Several locations had below-normal precipitation, especially stretching from northwestern Minnesota into western Indiana (10 to 75 percent of normal precipitation). Isolated locations in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Iowa received between 0 to 10 percent of normal precipitation. Below-normal precipitation was also observed in Kentucky, Missouri, and Michigan. As of June 10, Galesburg and Knoxville, Illinois recorded 27 straight days without precipitation. Many locations in Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Ohio have not seen rain in over 20 days.

Drought Monitor Updates

The June 13 US Drought Monitor (Figure 9) introduced one-category degradations in all Midwestern states and included nearly 90 percent of the Midwest in an abnormally dry or a drought status. The Extreme Drought (D3) expanded in Missouri. Severe Drought (D2) was introduced in Illinois and Indiana along with expansion of Moderate Drought (D1) in several locations across the Midwest. All of the precipitation that fell after the June 13 cutoff was not included in this week’s Drought Monitor, so there may be some improvement next week.