(Radio Iowa) – August continued the summer weather pattern that Iowa and the Midwest have been stuck in now for some time. State Climatologist, Justin Glisan, says this pattern includes warmer conditions.

It was also drier, with rainfall averaging three-point-five inches in August.

Glisan says the combined numbers for the three summer months this year are very similar to 2020 and 2021.

Dry conditions this summer left grass brown. (RI photo)

He says June, July, and August, of this year, continued the drier trend.

Glisan says the drought conditions this year are NOT as bad as they were for the three summer months last year. He says the La Nina weather pattern is behind the warmer, drier summers.

He says that could lead to a warmer winter, but it’s too early to tell that.