By Craig Cogil, Senior Forecaster
Temperatures:
Temperatures across Iowa were generally favorable this summer with limited bouts of heat and, in most instances, readings at or below normal. Departures were generally one to two degrees below normal with the largest departures along the Highway 30 corridor. The warmest reading in Iowa during the summer was 99 degrees in Sioux City on June 9. This year was the second year in a row that no summertime 100 degree readings were recorded in the state. Otherwise, temperatures were at or below normal for long stretches, especially in early July and again in mid to late August.
Summer temperature departure from across Iowa – generally slightly cooler than normal.
Precipitation:
Moisture was more than sufficient for much of the state during the summer. The exception was across northeast Iowa where deficiencies were common for much of the growing season. Abnormally dry conditions did creep into the northeast by the second half of the summer but the area still received enough rain to keep widespread drought conditions from developing. Farther south and west, thunderstorms were more common with localized heavy rain from June into August. A couple of events produced flash flooding in and around the Des Moines metro area as well as far south Iowa near the Missouri border. Rainfall frequency did decrease into August, but remained common enough to support crop maturation.
Summer rainfall departures – Drier in the far northeast, quite wet south half.
