Spencer, IA (KICD)– The month of June came through as far as moisture goes in at least part of the local area with above normal rainfall and some warmer than average temperatures.

State Climatologist Justin Glisan tells us while the five inches of rain measured at the KICD studios last month was very much needed, it was nowhere near what we truly need based on numbers for the first half of 2023.

That moisture is becoming more and important as we move into the reproductive stage of crop development.

As far as temperatures go, Glisan says the outlooks into July are favoring a bit of a change starting later this week that will be liked by those preferring more comfortable air.

Looking at the first half of the year as a whole we are generally considered to be slightly below average for temperatures with rainfall running as much as four to six inches below normal which has really come up since May when Iowa nearly fell in the top 20 for dryness.