Periods of Record Heat in June

The June average temperature for the Midwest was 70.0°F, which was 1.1°F above the 1991-2020 normal. Isolated locations across the Midwest were in excess of 2-5°F above normal (Figure 1). Statewide average temperatures ranged from 0.2°F above normal in Michigan to 1.6°F above normal in Missouri. Extreme heat settled into the Midwest mid-month, with over 1500 daily maximum and minimum high temperature records broken or tied from June 12-17 and from June 20-23. For the month, there were 646 high maximum and 1049 high minimum temperature records broken or tied this month (Figure 2). Triple-digit maximum air temperatures were measured across the region during these periods. On June 14, Midway Airport (Chicago, Illinois) recorded its first 100°F Day since 2012, and Minneapolis Public Schools moved to e-learning for the day due to the heat and humidity paired with a lack of air conditioning. Periods of cooler weather allowed for 130 low minimum and 22 low maximum temperature records broken or tied through June (Figure 3).

Below Normal Precipitation

June precipitation was 2.90 inches for the Midwest, which was 1.64 inches below normal, or 64 percent of normal (Figure 4). All nine states measured below-normal precipitation for June, ranging from 0.53 inches below normal in Ohio to 2.42 inches below normal in Indiana (Figure 5). Many stations received less than 75 percent of normal precipitation (Figure 6). Southern Missouri and south-central Minnesota received 10-25 percent of normal precipitation for June. Final data indicates Kentucky and Indiana had the 10th and 14th driest June since 1895, respectively. Ashland, Wisconsin had the 2nd driest June since 1893 with 0.78 inches. Sioux City, Iowa tied for the 4th driest June since 1889 with just 1.15 inches of rainfall. Carbondale, Illinois had the 5th driest June since 1898 with 0.68 inches, which was drier than June 2012. Minneapolis-St. Paul had the 5th driest June since 1871 with 1.13 inches. Despite the overall dry conditions, 204 daily high precipitation records were broken or tied across the region during June (Figure 7).

Flooding

Flooding that initiated across northern Minnesota in April 2022 continued throughout June. At Rainy Lake, water levels peaked at 1,113.2 feet in early June, exceeding the historical peak set in 1950 by 2.5 inches. Water levels at lakes across the Rainy River basin are expected to remain high through the remainder of summer.

Drought

Coming off a wet spring, the Midwest started June with abnormal dryness and drought affecting about 10 percent of the region. Rapid drying progressed throughout the month fueled by minimal precipitation, high temperatures, and high evaporation rates. By month’s end, 44% of the Midwest had abnormal dryness or drought (Figure 8). Across the lower Midwest, moderate drought was indicated in portions of Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, and Kentucky. Drought intensified and expanded in northwest Iowa. Abnormal dryness was present in at least a portion of all nine states.

Severe Weather

Regionwide, there were 1,273 preliminary storm reports (tornado, wind, and hail), which is slightly higher than the 2000-2021 median of 1,228 reports (Figure 9). Preliminary tornado and hail reports were below the median by 10 and 100 reports, respectively. There were 1,046 reports of damaging wind, which was 169 above the median.

Notable Weather Events

On June 13, a large-scale straight-line wind event (derecho) affected the eastern Midwest from southern Wisconsin southeast through Ohio (Figure 10). Significant damage resulted from wind gusts ranging from 50-75 mph and higher. A 98-mph wind gust was recorded at the Fort Wayne (Indiana) Airport, along with numerous reports across Ohio of wind gusts over 90 mph. More than 500,000 people were impacted by power outages that lasted for days, including during the height of the excessive heat.