A hotter than average June and a lack of strong thunderstorm events are beginning to impact moisture levels in the county.

State Climatologist Harry Hillaker says temperatures have been much warmer than a typical June, in part, due to some long-standing climate patterns. Hillaker says severe thunderstorm events have been down overall throughout 2016, despite this time of year’s standing as the most active.

According to the latest data from the U.S. Drought Monitor, abnormally dry conditions exist throughout almost all of southeast Iowa. Listen to today’s In-Depth with Dr. Bob Leonard to hear the latest climate predictions.