IRON MOUNTAIN — Forecasters continue to expect an average summer season in the Upper Peninsula after a welcomed drop in precipitation in June.

Rainfall last month at the Iron Mountain-Kingsford Wastewater Treatment Plant observer site measured 1.62 inches –nearly 2 inches below normal.

May’s precipitation had totaled 5.78 inches.

Temperatures last month averaged 62.9 degrees, which was 0.7 degrees below normal, according to the National Weather Service. The highest reading was 90 degrees June 30 and the lowest was 33 degrees June 3.

For the three-month period from July through September, the Climate Prediction Center calls for a 34 percent chance of above-normal temperatures and a 31 percent chance of below-normal. Average precipitation is expected.

June marked the sixth straight month of below-normal temperatures at Iron Mountain-Kingsford, although it was first month this year to come within a degree of normal.

Drier conditions in the Upper Midwest and the onset of warmer weather in late June has helped to dry soils following a wet spring, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said.

AccuWeather predicts a 2019 corn yield in the U.S. of 13.13 billion bushels, which is about a billion bushels below the 2018 total. Michigan is among five states reporting poor corn conditions so far.

Jim Anderson can be reached at 906-774-3500, ext. 26, or janderson@ironmountaindailynews.com.