Very warm and dry weather that began in the spring continued into the summer.  Temperatures warmed sharply the last few days of June.  The heat persisted into July.  Temperatures for the month of July were among the warmest on record.  In Des Moines, the monthly mean temperature was the second highest of record, only eclipsed by July of 1936.  Rainfall was in short supply across the state.  Much of the state recorded less than 50% of normal rainfall for the month, with a few locations under 10% of normal.  In addition, extended periods of temperatures above 95 F resulted in problems with pollination of the crops.  Rapid deterioration of the corn and soybean crop took place with several periods of temperatures in excess of 100 degrees.  By the end of the month, officials estimated that 20% of the crop yield had been lost to the drought.  At the current price, the loss total was in excess of $2.25 billion.  As of 31 July, the USDA reported that Secretarial Primary Drought Designations had been listed for 21 counties in the Des Moines CWA, with 11 receiving Contiguous Designation.  The primary counties were Butler, Bremer, Hamilton, Hardin, Grundy, Black Hawk, Boone, Story, Marshall, Tama, Polk, Jasper, Poweshiek, Marion, Mahaska, Lucas, Monroe, Wapello, Wayne, Appanoose, and Davis.  Contiguous counties included Wright, Franklin, Webster, Greene, Dallas, Madison, Warren, Clarke, Taylor, Ringgold, and Taylor.  The drought conditions continued into August.

Drought in ADAMS, IOWA
From 01-JUL-12 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 45.00M
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in MONROE, IOWA
From 01-JUL-12 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 45.00M
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in MARSHALL, IOWA
From 01-JUL-12 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 45.00M
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in AUDUBON, IOWA
From 01-JUL-12 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 45.00M
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in EMMET, IOWA
From 01-JUL-12 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 45.00M
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in APPANOOSE, IOWA
From 01-JUL-12 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 45.00M
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in PALO ALTO, IOWA
From 01-JUL-12 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 45.00M
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in BOONE, IOWA
From 01-JUL-12 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 45.00M
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in BLACK HAWK, IOWA
From 01-JUL-12 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 45.00M
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in DECATUR, IOWA
From 01-JUL-12 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 45.00M
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in WORTH, IOWA
From 01-JUL-12 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 45.00M
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in POLK, IOWA
From 01-JUL-12 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 45.00M
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in POWESHIEK, IOWA
From 01-JUL-12 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 45.00M
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in RINGGOLD, IOWA
From 01-JUL-12 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 45.00M
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in BUTLER, IOWA
From 01-JUL-12 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 45.00M
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in BREMER, IOWA
From 01-JUL-12 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 45.00M
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in CARROLL, IOWA
From 01-JUL-12 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 45.00M
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in WRIGHT, IOWA
From 01-JUL-12 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 45.00M
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in GREENE, IOWA
From 01-JUL-12 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 45.00M
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in SAC, IOWA
From 01-JUL-12 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 45.00M
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in STORY, IOWA
From 01-JUL-12 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 45.00M
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in CALHOUN, IOWA
From 01-JUL-12 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 45.00M
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in TAMA, IOWA
From 01-JUL-12 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 45.00M
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in FRANKLIN, IOWA
From 01-JUL-12 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 45.00M
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in TAYLOR, IOWA
From 01-JUL-12 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 45.00M
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in CERRO GORDO, IOWA
From 01-JUL-12 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 45.00M
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in CASS, IOWA
From 01-JUL-12 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 45.00M
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in HAMILTON, IOWA
From 01-JUL-12 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 45.00M
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in UNION, IOWA
From 01-JUL-12 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 45.00M
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in WAPELLO, IOWA
From 01-JUL-12 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 45.00M
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in CRAWFORD, IOWA
From 01-JUL-12 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 45.00M
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in CLARKE, IOWA
From 01-JUL-12 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 45.00M
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in DAVIS, IOWA
From 01-JUL-12 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 45.00M
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in DALLAS, IOWA
From 01-JUL-12 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 45.00M
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in GRUNDY, IOWA
From 01-JUL-12 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 45.00M
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in WARREN, IOWA
From 01-JUL-12 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 45.00M
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in WAYNE, IOWA
From 01-JUL-12 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 45.00M
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in WEBSTER, IOWA
From 01-JUL-12 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 45.00M
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in WINNEBAGO, IOWA
From 01-JUL-12 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 45.00M
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in HANCOCK, IOWA
From 01-JUL-12 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 45.00M
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in GUTHRIE, IOWA
From 01-JUL-12 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 45.00M
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in HUMBOLDT, IOWA
From 01-JUL-12 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 45.00M
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in HARDIN, IOWA
From 01-JUL-12 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 45.00M
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in KOSSUTH, IOWA
From 01-JUL-12 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 90.00M
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in JASPER, IOWA
From 01-JUL-12 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 45.00M
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in MADISON, IOWA
From 01-JUL-12 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 45.00M
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in LUCAS, IOWA
From 01-JUL-12 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 45.00M
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in POCAHONTAS, IOWA
From 01-JUL-12 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 90.00M
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in MARION, IOWA
From 01-JUL-12 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 45.00M
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in MAHASKA, IOWA
From 01-JUL-12 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 45.00M
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in ADAIR, IOWA
From 01-JUL-12 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 45.00M
Reported by: Other Federal Agency