July 22-31, 2024

Temperatures

Average temperatures were very close to normal for much of the region this week (Figure 1). Most of Michigan, Wisconsin, Missouri, and Illinois, eastern Iowa, as well as all of Indiana, Kentucky, and Ohio averaged less than 1°F from normal this week. Parts of Missouri, Wisconsin, and Michigan, most of Iowa, and all of Minnesota averaged above normal. Portions of western Minnesota averaged 4-5°F above normal. While much of the region averaged near normal this week, no broad area averaged below normal. Minnesota was the only state in the region this week that had an average temperature greater than 1.7°F from normal.

Average minimum temperatures varied a bit more from normal than average temperatures did this week (Figure 2). Portions of every state except Minnesota averaged less than 1°F from normal. Ohio and Indiana averaged slightly cooler than normal, with portions averaging 1-2°F below normal. The other states were slightly above normal overall. Iowa and Minnesota were the warmest compared to normal, with portions of northwestern Minnesota averaging 6-7°F above normal. There were a total of 103 daily high minimum temperature records that were either tied or broken this week (Figure 3). A vast majority of those records were in either Minnesota or Missouri.

Average maximum temperatures also varied across the region this week (Figure 4). A large portion in the center of the region averaged less than 1°F from normal. This area included portions of every state in the region. Areas of southern Kentucky, southern Missouri, central Illinois, and southeastern Iowa all averaged below normal, up to 2-3°F below normal. Much of Ohio, northern Wisconsin, and areas west of I-35 in Missouri, Iowa, and Minnesota all averaged above normal, with one portion in northern Minnesota averaging 4-5°F above normal.

Precipitation

Precipitation was rather sporadic to close out the month of July (Figure 5). The most precipitation occurred in portions of Minnesota, northern Michigan, central Kentucky, southern Illinois, and in central Iowa toward the Quad Cities area of Iowa and Illinois. All of these areas received 200 to 400 percent of their normal precipitation for the week. Portions of every state in the region received near normal rainfall. Northern Indiana and Ohio, much of the UP of Michigan, northeastern Minnesota, and western Missouri received the least rainfall. Northwestern Missouri and northeastern Minnesota saw less than 2 percent of normal rainfall this week. In contrast, a station in Fairfield, Iowa recorded 5.80 inches between July 29th and July 31st. This is the 5th highest rainfall total in a 3-day span for that station in its 131 year period of record.

There were two drought reports that were released during the last portion of the month, July 23rd (Figure 6) and July 30th (Figure 7). There were slight improvements to the D0 (Abnormally Dry) conditions in portions of Illinois, Indiana, and Kentucky. Kentucky also trimmed back some of the D1 (Moderate Drought) area. The D2 (Severe Drought) area in southeast Ohio expanded. The July 30th release of the US Drought Monitor stayed fairly consistent with the previous week, with a few changes. D0 expanded in southwestern Missouri and in portions of Indiana, northern Wisconsin and Michigan's UP. Portions of Ohio saw expansion of D2 drought, while eastern Kentucky had D1 introducted.

Severe Weather

There were 301 storm reports this week (Figure 8). Almost all of those reports came in the last 3 days of the week.

Among the most notable include an EF2 tornado near Lapel, Indiana on July 29th. A 5.7 inch hailstone near Chokio, Minnesota was reported on July 31st. This hailstone came very close to the state record of 6 inches held from 1986 and 1968. There was also a wind gust of 76 mph measured in Silver City, Iowa on July 31st.