July 2010 temperatures averaged 71.4�� or 1.6�� above normal while precipitation totaled 10.45 inches or 5.81 inches above normal.   This ranks as the wettest and 33rd warmest July among 138 years of state records.   The only calendar month to bring more rain to Iowa was July 1993 with a statewide average of 10.50 inches while the previous July record was 10.33 inches in 1947.  The continued wet weather resulted in widespread flooding along Iowa's rivers.  Though not as extreme as the flooding was in 1993 and 2008, it was extensive and long lived.  The flooding damaged crops as well as property.  The lateness of the flooding meant that farmers were not able to replant and made for total losses on some farms for the growing season.  Temperatures warmer than normal was the rule for most of July, as has been the case across Iowa for much of the past four months.   Cooler than normal weather was restricted to only the 7th, 10th, 13th, 15th, 24th and 28th-30th.   Monthly temperature extremes varied from morning lows of 46�� at Sheldon on the 3rd and at Cresco and Elkader on the 29th to an afternoon high of 95�� at Onawa on the 26th.   Heat indices reached as high as 107�� at Des Moines on the 22nd and at Burlington on the 23rd.  Parts of northern and western Iowa came into July needing some rainfall to help planted crops continue to develop.   They, and all of the rest of Iowa, got much more than they needed.   Rainfall was very frequent throughout the month.   Des Moines, Johnston and Indianola all reported 22 days with measurable rain during the month.   The following locations set records for most rain in a single calendar month:
City  	 	July 2010 (inches)  	 	Old Record  	Period of Record
Indianola 		16.86 			15.26 in Jun. 1947 	123 years
Guthrie Center 	14.92 			14.16 in May 1903 	113 years
Pella 		        14.71 			13.95 in Aug. 2007 	  86 years
Hampton 		14.28 			14.15 in Sep. 1965 	117 years
Ankeny 		14.27 			12.87 in Aug. 1993 	  60 years
Montezuma 	13.56 			11.83 in Aug. 1993 	  66 years
Cherokee     	13.11 			12.90 in Sep. 1926 	  91 years
Little Sioux 	        12.83 			11.69 in Aug. 2007 	  53 years
The least rain reported in the state was 5.44 inches at Sidney, but even this amount was 1.22 inches above normal.   Unofficial totals were as high as 20.81 inches near Rowan in Wright County where an amazing total of 3.99 inches fell in one hour on the night of July 22.  Why wasn���t there record flooding with record June and July rainfall?  Certainly there has been plenty of flooding across Iowa during July and some of it in record territory for a few locations in the state.   However, so far, flooding had not been as extensive or severe as in 2008 or 1993.   The reasons for this are several.   First, the past four months have been much warmer (about 6��) than the same months in 1993 and 2008.   The result is that there has been about 20% more evaporation to help dry things between rain events.   Second, spring rainfall averaged near normal in 2010 in contrast to much more precipitation in 1993 and 2008.   Third, with a few local exceptions, the rainfall in July 2010 has been distributed fairly evenly across the state and through the month.   This helps to spread the water out more evenly in space and time so as to reduce the magnitude of the flood crests.

Flood in MARION, IOWA
From 18-JUL-10 08:02:00 to 25-JUL-10 07:19:00 (CST-6)
Location: BUSSEY
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 100.00K
Crop damage: 250.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Flood in WARREN, IOWA
From 19-JUL-10 11:48:00 to 21-JUL-10 10:02:00 (CST-6)
Location: HARTFORD
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 25.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Flood in WARREN, IOWA
From 21-JUL-10 00:00:00 to 23-JUL-10 17:57:00 (CST-6)
Location: CHURCHVILLE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 25.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Flood in WAYNE, IOWA
From 20-JUL-10 03:08:00 to 21-JUL-10 12:48:00 (CST-6)
Location: CONFIDENCE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 25.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Flood in LUCAS, IOWA
From 20-JUL-10 07:03:00 to 21-JUL-10 11:18:00 (CST-6)
Location: RUSSELL
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 25.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Flood in WEBSTER, IOWA
From 22-JUL-10 08:40:00 to 25-JUL-10 05:50:00 (CST-6)
Location: FT DODGE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 50.00K
Crop damage: 100.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Flood in POLK, IOWA
From 18-JUL-10 16:53:00 to 21-JUL-10 20:09:00 (CST-6)
Location: (DSM)DES MOINES INTL
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Flood in POLK, IOWA
From 18-JUL-10 19:01:00 to 31-JUL-10 05:45:00 (CST-6)
Location: JOHNSTON
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 75.00K
Crop damage: 25.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Flood in POLK, IOWA
From 18-JUL-10 21:28:00 to 20-JUL-10 07:54:00 (CST-6)
Location: (DSM)DES MOINES INTL
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 5.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Flood in APPANOOSE, IOWA
From 20-JUL-10 03:52:00 to 22-JUL-10 02:25:00 (CST-6)
Location: MOULTON ARPT
Flood cause: Heavy Rain
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 25.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations