Widely variable rainfall patterns persist

After the 18th warmest June in 148 years of re­cords, an above normal temperature trend continued into July in most of Iowa. By late in the month, temperatures were averaging from 1 to 4 degrees above normal. 

Even though June rainfall av­eraged close to normal for Iowa, there was wide variability in amounts across the state. A similar trend continued into July, with rainfall at some of the driest locations likely being under an...