Midwest Weekly Highlights - April 22-30, 2012

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Higher Precipitation Totals in Southern Parts of the Region

During the last nine days of April, at least half an inch of precipitation fell across southern portions of the Midwest - from southern Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan to southwest Missouri, Illinois, and Kentucky (Figure 1). The highest precipitation totals of 3 to 4 inches are found in western Missouri. The rainfall in this region mainly fell during an event on April 29th (Figure 2). Eastern Kentucky, central Missouri, and west central Illinois also received significant precipitation throughout the last nine days of the month, with over 1.5 inches falling in these regions. Drought conditions continue to persist across the upper Midwest this spring (Figure 3).

Overall, precipitation was below average across much of the region, with the exception of the aforementioned regions of central Missouri, west central Illinois, and eastern Kentucky (Figure 4). Northern Minnesota also experienced above average precipitation, with half an inch to an inch of precipitation falling throughout the week. South central and southeastern Missouri received less than half an inch of precipitation, resulting in precipitation that was significantly below normal for the week. Several daily precipitation records were set throughout the last nine days of the month, with most of the records occurring during the later part of the week. In addition to the daily records, a few monthly records were broken in Illinois and Missouri as well.
 

Cooler Temperatures Across Much of the Midwest

The month of April ended on the cooler side for a majority of the eastern Midwest. Average temperatures were below normal by 2°F to 8°F across Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, and northern Kentucky (Figure 5). The region with the greatest departures from normal was southern Michigan, where average temperatures were 6°F to 8°F below normal. The western Midwest, southern Illinois, and southern Kentucky experienced near to above normal temperatures. Northwest Minnesota and the southwest corner of Missouri experienced temperatures that were 4°F to 5°F above normal. Several daily temperature records were set during the last nine days of April, including records for high and low temperatures.
 

Severe Weather

During the last nine days of April, severe weather was reported in the six southernmost Midwest states (Figure 6). Severe weather was reported somewhere in the region on every day from April 25th to April 30th, but a majority of the reports were concentrated on the 25th and 28th. Two tornadoes were reported, one in Kahoka, Missouri (Clark County) on April 25th and the other in Humansville, Missouri (Hickory County) on April 29th. The tornado in Kahoka on the 25th damaged grain bins and barns and has received a preliminary rating of EF1. The tornado in Humansville produced minimal damage and was given a preliminary rating of EF0.

Severe thunderstorms with very high winds and large hail moved through the St. Louis, Missouri area on Saturday, April 28th (Figure 7). The high winds blew down a tent where nearly 200 people were gathered after a Cardinals game at Busch Stadium, killing one and critically injuring at least five others. Altogether, there were 22 high wind reports during storms on the 28th, with the highest wind report being 90 miles per hour in Washington, Indiana (Daviess County). Other high wind damage reports included trees, power lines, and road signs being blown down. The storms on the 28th also produced over 170 preliminary large hail reports. The largest hailstone of 4.5 inches (roughly the size of a softball) was reported in Okawville, Illinois (Washington County).
 

Corn Planting Ahead of Schedule

Corn planting continued to progress this week across the Midwest. Fairly dry conditions and near-normal temperatures allowed farmers in Iowa and Minnesota to make great progress in planting corn throughout the week, with each state planting 41% and 37% of their annual crop over the last week in April, respectively. All nine states are well above the 2007-2011 average for planting by April 29th. The states that are furthest along in planting are Kentucky, with 86% of its corn planted, and Illinois, with 79% planted.

Corn Planting Progress from April 22-29, 2012
State	April 22, 2012 (Percent Complete)	April 29, 2012 (Percent Complete)	5-year Average
Illinois	59%	79%	29%
Indiana	46%	70%	20%
Iowa	9%	50%	32%
Kentucky	75%	86%	44%
Michigan	11%	28%	16%
Minnesota	11%	48%	31%
Missouri	50%	75%	38%
Ohio	34%	57%	20%
Wisconsin	6%	18%	12%

-MW-