August weather in Decorah was warm, but not wet

August of 2020 was not the driest August in Decorah recorded weather history—but it was in the top 10 percent.  Decorah weather statistician Richard Bernatz says 1.26 inches of rain was all that fell in Decorah during August.  That meant this August was the 13th driest out of the 128 years for which records have been kept.  There were six days in August when it rained, but none of the days had more than 3/10ths of an inch of accumulation.  115 Augusts were wetter and 12 were drier, with 1969 setting the all-time record with just 0.33 inches of rain.

For the year, however, Decorah is still wetter than normal, with a precipitation surplus of more than six inches over the last 12 months.

August was also warmer than normal, with an average temperature of 72.5 degrees—2.2 degrees warmer than normal.  August 27th's high temperature of 96 degrees tied a record set in 1937.  Compared with this August, 23 Augusts were warmer and 104 Augusts were cooler.