Weekly Climate Outlook

Key points Conditions are expected to lean warm and wet through the rest of April. Growing degree days are accumulating ahead of schedule. Active weather is expected in the next 7 days. Past weather

Since March 1, temperatures across the state have been around 2-6 degrees warmer than normal. In the past two weeks, temperatures have stayed closer to normal, reaching 0-3 degrees below normal in some areas. Since April 1, the entire state has received below-normal precipitation.

Key points:There was much less snow in Iowa this winter compared to normal.Temperatures are expected to be below normal for the first part of April.Be prepared for severe weather during spring in Iowa.Past weather

This winter, northwest Iowa experienced its third driest winter (December-February) on record. Snowfall totals were below normal for the entire state, with the greatest departures at 26 inches of snow below normal.

 Key PointsWidespread chances for freeze across the Midwest on Monday nightDryness is expected to continue, and drought expansion is likelyFrost on the way

On October 7, cool temperatures crept in overnight. Some areas in western Iowa briefly reached temperatures as low as 28 degrees, particularly in valley regions, where lower elevations collected colder, denser air. This event, however, was not widespread and remained isolated to low-lying areas.

Key PointsHurricane Helene expected to make landfall Thursday eveningAbove average temperatures expected for the next few weeksCrop condition is mostly good to excellent across the statePast Weather

In the past 30 days, much of the state has received 25-70% of average precipitation, with the exception of southern Iowa, which had 70-130% of normal precipitation, most of which fell within the last 14 days.

Key Points Hot weather this weekendChances for rain in the next 7 days Crops are looking mostly good to excellent across the state Past Weather 

Average temperatures across Iowa for the past 7 days have stayed around 0 to 4 degrees cooler than normal, with average temperatures from 68 to 72 degrees. The average daily high temperature has been 76 to 83 degrees, which is 0 to 4 degrees cooler than normal.

Key PointsNice weather for the Iowa State FairCrops are looking mostly good to excellent across the stateExpecting a fairly dry week aheadPast Weather

Average temperatures across Iowa for the past 7 days have stayed around 4 to 8 degrees cooler than normal, with average temperatures from 63 to 70 degrees. The average daily high temperature has been 73 to 80 degrees, which is 6 to 10 degrees cooler than normal.

Key PointsA warm signal persists through the next three months and a La Niña watch is in effect.Close to normal conditions are expected for the next several days, with a slightly elevated chance for warmth.Past Weather

After a stretch of warm temperatures, the past couple of days have been mild across the state. Daily temperatures from the past 7 days averaged from 71-80 degrees with coolest temperatures in northern Iowa. This was anywhere from 1-5 degrees above average.

Key PointsHeat expected to return after some cooler-than-average temperatures this past week.Keep an eye out for flash drought as excessive heat is expected.A warm signal persists through the next three months as ENSO neutral is expected to transition to La Niña by this fall.Past Weather

For many Iowans, the last 7 days were mostly dry. Much of the state received less than 1” of rain, however, some folks in Kossuth County received 2 or more inches.

Key PointsNo dryness is reported across the entire state by the U.S. Drought Monitor.A warm signal persists through the next three months as ENSO neutral is expected to transition to La Niña by this fall.Past Weather

For the first time in 219 weeks, there is no dryness present in the entire state, as reported by the Drought Monitor. This year has been the 6^th wettest January through July out of 132 years.

Key PointsCooler temperatures are expected in the next 6-10 days, but first, heat is on the way this weekend.Day 3-7 hazards include high temperatures, severe weather, and flooding along the Mississippi.A warm signal persists through the next three months as ENSO neutral is expected to transition to La Niña by this fall.Past Weather

So far this month, July has been around 4 degrees below average for most of the state, making the warmest month of the year feel relatively cool.

Key PointsSaturated soils and locally heavy precipitation continue.A warm signal persists through the next three months as ENSO neutral is expected to transition to La Niña by this fall.Past Weather

For most areas of the state, June brought close to average precipitation. However, this was not the case for northwest Iowa, where more than 300% of average precipitation fell during the month, with much of the precipitation arriving in 3 days.

Key PointsOfficially ENSO neutral, with La Niña expected in the next few months.A warm signal persists through the next three months.Past Weather

During the past two weeks, temperatures across the state have been 2-5 degrees above normal. “Warm and wet” is a good way to describe most of the state. However, southeastern Iowa, while warm, has received around 2 inches of rain below average.

Key PointsWeeds and bugs are enjoying the warmth, so be sure to check fields.More warmth on the way next week.Past Weather

Today, Thursday, June 6, was windy, with peak sustained wind around 30 mph and peak wind gusts around 45 mph across the state. US 63 north of Waterloo was closed because of little to no visibility from “a localized area of dense blowing dust.” You’re certainly not alone if you found yourself saying, “It wouldn’t be so bad without the wind…”

Key PointsDrought ends in Iowa after 203 weeks; only areas of D0 (abnormal dryness) remain.Crop progress is still coming along despite continuous rainfall events.Past Weather

After 203 continuous weeks of drought existing across the state, now only D0 (abnormally dry) remains. Between March 1 and May 30, 10-15 inches of rain fell across the state, which was around 4-8 inches above average. Consistent above average rainfall allowed drought conditions to diminish.

Key PointsStanding water due to heavy precipitation over newly planted or emerging seeds may cause issues for some.Despite lots of rain, planting isn’t significantly behind the 5-year average.Flood watches and warnings are in place throughout the state as more chances of rain are possible in the next week.Past Weather

Active weather is starting to sound like a broken record.

Key PointsPlanting progress is slightly behind for both corn and soybeans because of frequent precipitation events.Drought improvements continue across the state.Precipitation will continue next week.Past Weather

Globally, this April was the warmest April on record, and now the 11^th consecutive month of record warmth. In Iowa, the past 30 days were around 3 degrees above normal.

Key PointsDrought improvements continue, with D3 removal, and this is the first time without extreme dryness in 2 years.Around 50% of corn and 30% of soybean acres have been planted across the state.Another active weather pattern is expected in the next 7 days. Past Weather

In the past 7 days, 1-4 inches of rain fell across the state. Western and southern Iowa received the greatest amounts. This was 200-300% of normal. At this time of year, around 1” of rain per week is expected.

Key PointsPrecipitation has been greater than normal for much of the state in the past 30 days, and we hope to see continued improvements in surface and subsoil moisture.Transitioning to La Niña this summer.Heavy recent rainfall likely delayed planting progress and caused some concerns for flooding, particularly in southern Iowa.Past Weather

An active weather pattern brought some severe weather and heavy rain to the state during the past week.

Key PointsImprovements 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.

Key PointsCold temperatures may pose issues for perennials or crops ahead of schedule in terms of phenology.Quickly transitioning out of El Niño to La Niña conditions, which may increase risks for heat.Past Weather

During the past week, CoCoRaHS reports showed around 1 inch of rain fell across the state. Most of Iowa has seen 2-4” of rain in the last 30 days, which is 90-300% of normal precipitation.