THE DEARLY DEPARTED...
Many parts of my area have seen much appreciated rains since Thursday. In some places, more rain has fallen than in the previous 2 months combined! However, the dearly needed precipitation "departed" many of my northern counties leaving them with little to no rain through Saturday evening. Here's the 72 hour rainfall estimates as of 10:00pm Saturday night. Where you see green at least an inch of rain is indicated, that includes much of the area from I-80 south.
This perspective using a different scale, indicates in dark blue where 2 inch totals accumulated. Green denotes 4 inches in parts of southern Iowa and WC Illinois. Notice the area north of HWY 30 showing little if any rain. In fact, here in Dubuque I've seen nothing more than a few stray sprinkles going back to Thursday!
In a last gasp attempt, a final wave of energy late Saturday and early Sunday appears to be tracking far enough north to bring one last push of rain that should at least brush my northern counites. Again, amounts in the north look light with the heavier totals likely over the south half where another 1 to perhaps 2 inches is possible in spots.
By looking at the latest drought monitor you can see just how "dear" the rain was falling on the region classified in severe drought as of last Thursday morning.
June certainly did its part to get us into the flash drought with monthly rainfall 2-4 inches below average. This graphic from the NWS in Davenport shows the June totals with the departures indicated on the right. Iowa City ended the month with just 1.39 inches! Davenport wasn't much better with 1.93 inches (most coming at the tail end of June). You can also see most locations were a degree or two above normal on temperatures.
The last of the rain from this 4 day ring of fire set-up is set to move out of the region later Sunday. That sets the stage for a warm and relatively dry lead up to the 4th of July. After highs in the upper 70s to low 80s Sunday, readings climb to the mid to upper 80s Monday and close to 90 on the 4th itself. It will be a a bit on the muggy side but it appears showers and storms should hold off until late Tuesday night or more likely Wednesday. Fireworks, parades, and picnics should go off without a hitch.
A strong cold front by July standards sweeps into the Midwest Wednesday. As it arrives the stage is set for some additional showers and storms mid-week. If the timing is right some strong storms with locally heavy downpours are possible late Wednesday. Thursday and Friday will turn significantly cooler with highs mainly in the 70s with little in the way of humidity. Nice for July!
That's where I will leave it for now. Happy Holiday's and roll weather...TS
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