April 25, 2024 Climate Outlook

April 25, 2024 4:59 PM

Key Points

  • Improvements in drought seen across the state, but especially welcome in eastern Iowa, thanks to spring rainfall.
  • An active weather patten is expected in the next 7 days.
  • Warm temperatures likely as we head into May.

Past Weather

In the last 7 days, southern Iowa saw the greatest precipitation in the state with around 1 inch. The rest of the state saw around a half inch. This was about 50% of average precipitation across the state and we will still need more rain to keep on track with average precipitation for this year. Improvements in drought continue and D3 drought areas have decreasedPlot showing daily departure from average temperature so far in 2024. this week in eastern Iowa.

Temperatures during the past week were much closer to average than previous months, though we still saw some cool temperatures. Northern Iowa stayed the coolest with temperatures around 45°F and southern Iowa was a bit warmer at around 50°F. With a few nights of particularly cool conditions, the National Weather Service issued frost advisories and freeze warnings across Iowa during April 19-21. Each day we get a little closer to our last chance of frost. For central Iowa, the average day of last freeze with a temperature of 32°F is April 25. By the end of April, average daily high temperature is 65°F and average daily low temperature is 45°F.

Soil Conditions

Soil temperatures range from the low 60s in southwest Iowa to high 40s in northeast Iowa. Soil temperatures are expected to hover right around the mid-50s to 60s as we approach early May. While drought improvements are more than welcome, soil moisture is still on the dry side. Soil moisture percentile is below 30 for much of Iowa. The Climate Prediction Center shows the soil moisture for April 24th is as much as 80 mm (or around 3 inches) below average. Topsoil moisture is 60% adequate and subsoil moisture is still 55% short to very short according to the NASS progress report. This report shows improvements in both topsoil and subsoil moisture in the past week. Streamflow has improved during the past week, with 7-day average streamflow showing many areas with normal streamflow. Long-term drought still exists with as much as a 30-inch rainfall deficit during the past four years.

Weather and Climate Outlook

Quantitative precipitation forecast showing 2-4 inches expected in the next 7 days in Iowa. Rainfall is in our future. The Weather Prediction Center quantitative precipitation 1-7 day forecast shows near 4” of rain falling across the entire state in the next 7 days. Primarily storms will occur during the weekend and have a slight to enhanced risk of convection. Be prepared for chances of high wind, hail, and even tornados.

Looking ahead, the Climate Prediction Center shows the 8-14 day outlook leaning toward warmer temperatures and chances for precipitation. The outlook for May shows signals for warmer than average temperatures and slight chances for precipitation. As we transition quickly to La Niña toward the middle and end of summer, warmer and drier conditions are likely.

Increased chance for high temperatures in the next 8-14 days. Increased chance for precipitation in the next 8-14 days.

Planting Conditions

Mostly dry conditions have allowed for planting progress in both corn and soybeans. Corn in Iowa is 13% planted this week and soybeans are at 8%. After storms on the weekend of April 26th, soils will need some time to dry out before getting back into the field, especially if 4” rainfalls verify.

corn progress is 13%soybean progress is 8%