The summer of 2014 began with the third wettest June for Iowa in 141 years of records, with the statewide rainfall total nearly twice the normal amount. The June total in Iowa’s northwestern crop district was nearly three times the normal.

Some areas of heavy rain continued into early July, but an overall drier pattern developed with significant rainfall becoming more spotty as the month progressed.

By the end of the month, statewide average rainfall for July was below normal, with amounts less than 30 percent of normal at a few locations.

All of Iowa was cooler than normal during July with readings late into the month averaging from 3 to 6 degrees below normal in most areas. (See chart.) Days with high...