Dry spell--Decorah has gone 19 days without rain

The last time it rained in Decorah was July 15th.  Decorah weather observer Richard Bernatz says that streak of 19 dry days is surpassed only by three other summer streaks of zero population--21 days in 2012, 22 days in 1894 and 37 days in 1910.

Forecasters say Decorah has a chance of rain this week.  If no rain falls through Thursday, that would make this summer the second longest streak of no summertime rain.

Bernatz says overall Decorah received 1.08 inches of rain in July.  That was nearly three inches less than the average precipitation of 4.02 inches.  Compared with other Julys for which there are data, only six have been drier since 1894.