The past two weeks were unusually cool and dry across Iowa. July 2014 will likely rank among the 10 coolest Julys on record, according to the latest Iowa Water Summary Update. The average statewide precipitation was 0.86 inches, or less than half of the normal 2.05 inches.
The drought monitor shows the state maintaining normal conditions. In October 2013 nearly all Iowa was in some form of drought. Currently, all but extreme southeast Iowa is drought free – a complete change over the last nine months.
As moisture from the wet month of June works its way through the streams and soils of Iowa, overall stream flows are approaching normal levels. Groundwater levels are generally higher than they were a year ago, and normal rainfall should help maintain these levels.
Despite the past two weeks of below normal precipitation, the average rainfall for 2014 is above average. The National Weather Service predicts below normal temperatures for August through October, with normal precipitation through early September.