Midwest Weekly Highlights - August 15-21, 2011

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Seasonal Temperatures

Seasonal temperatures were the rule across the Midwest in the third week of August. Most locations were within a couple degrees of normal for the week (Figure 1). Just a handful of daily temperature records were set.
 

Spotty Precipitation

Most of the region received less than normal precipitation during the week (Figure 2). An area from southwest Iowa to south central Missouri was the notable exception, with rain falling on several days in this area (Figure 3). A few other localized areas picked up above normal rains as well. Rains were generally welcome where they fell to alleviate dryness which continued to expand across the Midwest (Figure 4). Areas that missed the rains were at least spared the high heat of July and early August. Crop conditions and yield estimates are generally trending lower across the Midwest due to heat and dryness in many locations.
 

Missouri River Flooding Eases but Impacts Remain

As the US Army Corps of Engineers lowers the release of water from dams upstream, the Missouri River levels are slowly falling in most locations. The slow retreat following weeks of flooding is revealing significant damage to farms and roads in the previously inundated areas. There have been reports of deep gullies in some fields while other fields have been covered with sand. Severe damage was revealed on I-680 and I-29 in western Iowa as the water levels dropped. Navigation on the Missouri has been restored in parts of Missouri but the river remains off limits to boat traffic in western Iowa and northwest Missouri. Trains, freight and passenger, continue rerouting around problem areas. Months underwater has led to tree die off, even for flood-tolerant species such as cottonwood, sycamore, and willows. Many other trees are susceptible to being uprooted due to the saturated soils.
 

Upper Midwest Tornadoes

The first tornado of the year in the Upper Peninsula hit the town of Ontonagon, MI (Ontonagon County) on August 19th . Trees were uprooted and power poles snapped and a camper was blown across the road.

The same day in Wausaukee, WI (Marinette County), a fatal EF1 tornado moved through town. Four mobile homes were flipped and one destroyed by the storm. Trees and power lines were down across the path of the storm.

The following day an EF0 tornado struck near the Michigan town of Chesaning, MI (Saginaw County). There were no reported injuries.
 

Saturday Storm Impacts

Thunderstorms on Saturday caused postponements in several states. In Chicago, IL (Cook County), the Air and Water Show was delayed as severe weather rolled through the city early Saturday. In Grand Rapids, MI (Kent County), a bike race was interrupted by severe weather and heavy rains in the early afternoon. Severe weather in Kansas City, MO (Jackson County) knocked out power to 225,000 customers. Heavy rain and high winds were common across the city for the second straight day.
 

-MST-
The Iowa Climatology Bureau also contributed to this report.