The three summer months of June, July and August in 2010 moved into the classification as the second wettest summer on record Tuesday when the numbers surpassed the 1902 three-month total of 22.57 inches. Across the state rain totals average 22.6 inches for the summer so far, and there are still two weeks to go in August.
State Climatologist Harry Hillaker suggested that while the all-time record of 26.83 inches, set back in the dramatic flood year of 1993, is not out of reach, it's probably not something the state of Iowa needs or wants.
"So far this month we have had an average of 4.29 inches of rain so basically we would have to do that again to catch 1993. I can't rule it out, but hopefully it won't happen."
Statewide, the normal annual rainfall average for these same three months is 13.7 inches.
Much like 1993, several parts of the state have experienced damaging floods and continue to sort through the wreckage resulting from the high water levels associated with the substantial and concentrated rainfalls.
"Flooding is always a little bit more complicated than rain totals," Hillaker explained. "June was actually the wettest month, but the flooding was minimal. August has actually been the driest month yet, but there has been bad flooding in the Ames, Des Moines and Newton areas. It's about how concentrated and in what time the rain falls.
"In June rain was a little more evenly distributed across the state. We still had some flooding but not what we saw in northeast Iowa in July, and then central Iowa in August."
Going back to 1993, Hillaker noted that "It's still our most widespread flood year. We had significant flooding about everywhere in the state."
The state climatologist cited two factors that have helped the state deal with the water better than it did in 1993. "The first thing is we had a much drier spring and things weren't quite as saturated. Things were actually a bit dry in northwest Iowa. We had more room for water than we did in 1993."
He continued, "The other factor being a much warmer spring and summer than we had in 1993. Every month starting in March has been above normal temperatures, and in 1993 temps were below average dating back to the previous year. There's been much more evaporation this year."
Looking ahead, Hillaker said there is more rain in the forecast, which could lead back to the warmer temperatures and high humidity similar to what northwest Iowa experienced last week.
A chance for storms returns tonight and spills into Friday. The weekend looks good with a chance of storms returning early next week.
"Rain is coming back in the forecast Monday night and Tuesday in northwest Iowa. It could get warmer and more humid again, and I see Monday or Tuesday maybe leading back into that phase," said Hillaker.
"Nobody wants so see another overnight 5-inch rain event, which is what central Iowa saw three nights in a row last week."
Hillaker said that as far as damage sustained by both crops and property as a result of the weather, it's probably too early to tell.
