July 1-7, 2025

Temperature

Average temperatures were 2-4°F above normal for most of the region (Figure 1). In southern Missouri, temperatures were near normal.

Minimum temperatures were 3-6°F above normal for much of the region (Figure 2). A minimum temperature of 81°F was observed on July 4 in the Twin Cities, which was the warmest minimum temperature in July in the Twin Cities since 2012.

Maximum temperatures were 3-6°F above normal for most of the region (Figure 3). In Michigan and Missouri, maximum temperatures were generally 1-3°F above normal, except southern Missouri, where they were closer to normal. Ironwood, Michigan, observed a temperature of 89°F on July 5, which was the warmest July temperature since 2020. In Oshkosh, Wisconsin, minimum temperatures were greater than or equal to 72°F for two consecutive days, July 5-6, marking the warmest consecutive minimum temperatures since 2020.

Precipitation/Drought

Precipitation was below normal for much of the southern half of the region, especially along and just south of I-80 (Figure 4). However, there were pockets of near-normal precipitation in Missouri, southern Illinois, southern Indiana, and southern Ohio. Above-normal precipitation was noted in northeastern Wisconsin, parts of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula (UP), northern Lower Michigan, and northern Minnesota.

By the end of the week, drought conditions largely remained unchanged. Some D2 (severe drought) conditions were expanded in several counties in northeastern Illinois (Figure 5).

Severe Weather

Severe weather was quiet this week, with just 122 reports across the region, 101 of which were wind reports (Figure 6). On July 4, severe storms in northern Minnesota brought 70-80 mph gusts to the International Falls area. A brief EF0 tornado caused some damage to crops and farm buildings in Fayette County, Illinois, on July 6. Severe weather on July 7 brought 70-80 mph wind gusts to the Des Moines area, causing many trees to fall.