Midwest Overview - May 2012

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Mixed Bag of May Precipitation

May began with drought entrenched in Minnesota and northwest Iowa (Figure 1) and May rains brought two to three times normal precipitations to this area (Figure 2). Drought status in these areas improved greatly with the well placed rains (Figure 3) but degraded elsewhere as rainfall fell far short of normal in Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, western Kentucky, and southeast Iowa. Several Minnesota cities had their wettest May on record, with some cities topping 10.00" for the month. Spring rainfall saw a similar pattern though not as extreme. Much of Minnesota had 150% to 200% of normal while along the Ohio River in southern Illinois and western Kentucky rainfall totals were less than 50% of normal (Figure 4). Paducah, Kentucky (McCracken County) recorded only 0.95" of rain for the April-May period setting a new record driest for the station.
 

Another Warm Month

The warm weather of 2012 continued in May. For the seventh straight month, temperatures were at or above normal across the Midwest. May departures ranged from 1°F in northwest MInnesota to 7°F in eastern Ohio (Figure 5). Preliminary statewide numbers rank Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Missouri among the 10 warmest Mays dating back to 1895. Statewide estimates of spring temperatures rank each of the nine Midwest states as the warmest March-May period on record, again dating back to 1895. Temperature departures for the spring ranged from 4°F to 9°F above normal (Figure 6).
 

Severe Weather

After a busy, and early, start to the severe weather season May was a quieter period. Tornadoes and severe weather reports were down compared to both the preceding months and the average for May. Despite the lower number of reports, severe weather affected all nine states in the region and 22 days of the month. From the 8th to the 17th severe weather was only reported on the 15th.
 

Crops Planted but Stressed

The abundant dry weather allowed farmers to plant corn and soybeans earlier than normal. However, those same dry conditions led to problems as well. Soybeans sat in dry soil ungerminated, some were unable to emerge due to crusted over soils, and corn plants were stressed due to the lack of rain and enhanced evapotranspiration from warm, windy, clear conditions.
 

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The Indiana State Climate Office also contributed to this report.
The Iowa Climatology Bureau also contributed to this report.
The Kentucky Climate Center also contributed to this report.
The Minnesota State Climatology Office also contributed to this report.
The Missouri Climate Center also contributed to this report.