Near-to-Above-Normal Temperatures Return to Midwest

After cooler temperatures last week, near-to-above-normal temperatures returned to the majority of the Midwest. Temperatures were near normal in the east and above normal in the west (Figure 1). Statewide temperatures ranged from 0.8°F above normal in Ohio to 3.1°F above normal in Missouri. Minimum temperatures were near normal across much of the Midwest with pockets of 1-3°F above-normal temperatures in Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan (Figure 2). Maximum temperatures drove the above-normal temperatures narrative as most of the Midwest experienced temperatures more than 2°F above normal (Figure 3). Portions of the western Midwest saw temperatures as much as 8°F above normal this week. As a result of the warmer temperatures, there were 240 daily high temperature records that were broken or tied (Figure 4).

Widespread Below-Normal Precipitation, with Exception to Northeastern Midwest

Below-normal precipitation occurred across most of the Midwest, with exception to Wisconsin, northern Illinois and Indiana, Michigan, and northern Ohio. These areas received 100 to 300 percent of normal precipitation (Figure 5). Southwestern Michigan had the heaviest rain, where totals ranged from 3 to 5 inches (Figure 6). Southwestern Missouri, Iowa, and central Illinois saw the least amount of precipitation as areas received less than 1 inch or less than 50 percent of normal rainfall. There were 112 total daily precipitation records that were broken or tied across the Midwest this week (Figure 7).

Another Stormy Week

For the fourth week in a row, the Midwest had more than 500 storm reports (20 tornado, 212 hail, 35 large hail, 958 wind, and 83 high wind). This week by far takes the prize for the most storm reports this month totaling 1,314 reports (Figure 8). On July 25, Stearns and Polk Counties in Minnesota reported 75 mph wind gusts. Multiple damaging wind reports were submitted on July 26, which stretched from eastern Iowa to Ohio. A certified spotter reported a 70-mph wind gust in St. Joseph County, Michigan. Several trees and crops were damaged as a result. On July 27, additional storms with wind damage were reported in the upper Midwest. Iroquois County, Illinois reported a 75-mph wind gust. The big event occurred on July 28, which is when storm reports stretched from Minnesota through Ohio. There were 15 tornado reports in Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and Wisconsin, all of which were classified as weak tornadoes. A storm spotter in Chippewa County, La Crosse County, Wisconsin measured a 4-inch in diameter hail stone. Other 3-inch diameter hailstones were reported in Chippewa, La Crosse, and Trempealeau Counties in Wisconsin. Iowa had four reports of winds in excess of 90-mph. An observer in Jones County, Iowa measured a 95-mph wind gust on a personal wind station. Numerous trees and power outages were reported across the region.

Status of the Ongoing Midwest Drought

The July 25 US Drought Monitor brought continued improvements to portions of Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, and Ohio (Figure 9). One-class degradations were seen in Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Iowa, Wisconsin, and Minnesota. There was a little over a 1 percent increase in Midwest land in at least a Moderate Drought (D1) or greater. The Exceptional Drought (D4) in Missouri was improved to Extreme Drought (D3) this week.