July 22-31, 2025

Temperature

Average temperatures were 2-4°F above normal for most of the region (Figure 1). In the mid-Mississippi River Valley region, they were 3-6°F above normal.

Minimum temperatures were 3-6°F above normal (Figure 2). In southern Illinois, however, minimum temperatures were as much as 6-8°F above normal. Minimum temperatures were particularly warm throughout the entire month. Louisville, Kentucky, did not observe a single temperature below 70°F for the entire month of July for the first time since records began in 1872. In fact, the temperature in Louisville did not drop below 70°F for 41 days, from June 21-July 31, which was the longest streak of temperatures at or above 70°F on record.

Maximum temperatures were 2-4°F above normal for much of the region (Figure 3). Some areas were around 5°F above normal for the week.

Precipitation/Drought

Precipitation was above normal for a large swath of the Midwest. The entire state of Iowa observed over 200 percent of normal precipitation, with over 300 percent of normal precipitation in the northern and southeastern parts of the state (Figure 4). Much of northern Illinois, northern Indiana, southeastern Michigan, northern Missouri, and much of Minnesota observed over 200 percent of normal precipitation.

Preliminary data revealed that July was one of the top five wettest months for Iowa. Des Moines, Iowa, observed 10.62 inches of precipitation as of July 31, making it the wettest July on record for the city since records began in 1878. In Fort Madison, Iowa, 5.28 inches of precipitation fell from July 24-26, making it the wettest 3-day period in July at that station since records began in 1893. The Raccoon River at Fleur Drive in Des Moines rose to minor flood stage on July 31 and several other rivers across the state were rising or expected to rise in the following days.

By July 29, precipitation across the region prompted improvements in drought conditions. D2 (severe drought) was nearly eliminated, with only a slight area of central Michigan still in D2 (Figure 5). Conditions also improved over northern Indiana and northeastern Illinois.

Severe Weather

There were several severe weather outbreaks during the week. On July 23, several tornadoes touched down in northeastern Wisconsin, with two reaching EF11 strength. On July 24, a microburst caused 80 mph winds in DuPage County, Illinois, near Chicago. There were several reports of 80-100 mph wind gusts across Iowa from an outbreak on July 28.