No Deserts in the U.S. Midwest: Humid Continental Climate Prevails

The U.S. Midwest (Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin) has no deserts. Its climate is predominantly humid continental (Köppen Dfa/Dfb): hot, humid summers; cold, snowy winters; ample precipitation (750–1,200 mm/year) year-round. Deserts require aridity (<250 mm/year). The western edge (western Nebraska, Kansas, South Dakota) transitions to semi-arid steppe (Köppen BSk), but true desert conditions only appear far to the southwest (Mojave, Sonoran, Chihuahuan). The Midwest's deep, fertile soils (Mollisols) and robust agriculture are direct results of its non-desert climate. Confusion may arise from "Desert" place names (e.g., Desert, Illinois) or the "Dust Bowl" (1930s drought), but these are not deserts.