DES MOINES — Parts of Iowa experienced a very dry July, with Des Moines receiving only 0.38 inches of rain for the entire month, according to the latest Water Summary Update.
Temperatures across the state were generally near normal, with an average statewide temperature of 73.1 degrees. That’s about a half a degree cooler than normal.
“The pattern of wetter in the north and drier in the south for Iowa continued through July, with some parts of southeast Iowa now 15 inches short of rainfall over the past 12 months," said Tim Hall, Hydrology Resources Coordinator for the Iowa DNR. "This is concerning, since average monthly rainfall begins to drop as we move into the fall months."
Streamflow conditions in much of the state remained above normal throughout July.
For a thorough review of Iowa’s water resource trends, go to www.iowadnr.gov/watersummaryupdate.
The report is prepared by technical staff from Iowa DNR, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, IIHR—Hydroscience and Engineering, and the U.S. Geological Survey, in collaboration with Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Department.