Midwest Weekly Highlights - May 22-31, 2012

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Heavy Rains in Minnesota

Minnesota picked up significant rains in the last ten days of May. A swath from southwest to northeast across the state had three to five times normal precipitation for the period (Figure 1). Above normal precipitation totals also were recorded in parts of Iowa, Wisconsin, and Michigan however, to the south totals fell far short of normal with the majority of the remaining areas receiving less than 50% of normal. Dozens of daily precipitation records were set with most occurring in Minnesota, Iowa, and Wisconsin.
 

More Warmth

Most of the Midwest was warmer than normal during the last ten days of May (Figure 2). Departures from normal ranged from 10°F above normal in eastern Ohio to 5°F below normal in northwest Minnesota. Only Minnesota had cooler than normal temperatures. Daily temperature records were mostly record highs in the middle of the period but record lows were recorded on the last two days of the period. Some stations in northern Minnesota and Michigan even dropped into the upper 20s on the 31st.
 

Hail and Wind

Severe weather during the period consisted of mostly hail and wind damage (Figure 3). The reports were spread across all nine Midwest states and every day except the 30th. The highest concentration of reports was in the upper Midwest. Hail was mostly in the 1.00" to 1.75" size range and winds caused mostly tree damage, though power lines, roofs, and outbuilding also took damage. Some dry locations also had strong winds, including 50 mph winds in the Chicago area (Cook County) on the 24th that whipped up dust from farm fields. Several roads were closed in the afternoon and evening due to the reduced visibility.
 

Crop Progress

Planting remained ahead of schedule as the lack of rains allowed field work to continue. There was a downside of the dry weather however, with increased concerns about germination and growth of the emerged crops. Farmers were anxious to get rains to prevent damage to crops already showing signs of stress from the dry conditions. Further dry weather would be very detrimental to the emerging crops. The US Drought Monitor showed improvement in Minnesota and Iowa but expansion in the southern parts of the region (Figure 4). Abnormally Dry conditions also expanded across the middle of the region.
 

-MST-
The Minnesota State Climatology Office also contributed to this report.