Blog

Madelynn J Wuestenberg
July 2, 2024 5:35 PM

Key Points

  • Saturated 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

Weather and Climate, Weekly Climate Outlook

Madelynn J Wuestenberg
June 21, 2024 6:00 PM

Key Points

  • Officially ENSO neutral, with La Niña expected in the next few months.
  • A warm signal persists through the next three months.
Weather and Climate, Weekly Climate Outlook

Dr. Billy Beck
June 21, 2024 2:58 PM

Forest management is a broad science that includes everything from timber to wildlife, vine and weed management, conservation and more. To help woodland owners understand each task, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources has produced 31 YouT

Forestry

Liz Ripley
June 14, 2024 12:06 PM

Beavers can play a critical role in improving water quality, but can also create challenges when it comes to crop or tree damage, tile drainage backflow, flooding concern, and more.

Forestry, Water Quality, Wildlife

Madelynn J Wuestenberg
June 6, 2024 5:29 PM

Key Points

  • Weeds and bugs are enjoying the warmth, so be sure to check fields.
  • More warmth on the way next week.

Past Weather

Weather and Climate, Weekly Climate Outlook

Allison Brundy
May 31, 2024 12:00 PM

AMES, Iowa – The Tama Turtles took first place in the State Wildlife Habitat Education Program senior team division and will represent Iowa 4-H at the 2024 National WHEP Competition.

Wildlife

Madelynn J Wuestenberg
May 30, 2024 5:02 PM

Key Points

  • Drought 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

Weather and Climate, Weekly Climate Outlook

Kay Stefanik
May 28, 2024 10:00 AM

In my work, I spend a lot of time talking about the ecosystem services, or benefits to humans, that wetlands provide.  I often focus on the floodwater retention, nutrient reduction, and wildlife habitat benefits of wetlands, but tend to gloss over the food and fiber these ecosystems can prov

Water Quality, Wildlife

Madelynn J Wuestenberg
May 23, 2024 5:53 PM

Key Points

  • Standing 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.
Weather and Climate, Weekly Climate Outlook

Madelynn J Wuestenberg
May 16, 2024 5:11 PM

Key Points

  • Planting 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

Weather and Climate, Weekly Climate Outlook

Madelynn J Wuestenberg
May 9, 2024 3:25 PM

Key Points

  • Drought 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.
Weather and Climate, Weekly Climate Outlook

Dr. Billy Beck
May 7, 2024 3:05 PM

Landowners who are considering a timber sale can record their inventory and develop a contract by using two newly updated resources from Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.

Forestry, Forest Products

Dr. Chelsea J Harbach
May 6, 2024 3:46 PM

In Iowa, mushroom hunting is quite common. However, knowing the peak time to hunt for a particular mushroom can be challenging.

Forest Products, Forestry

Madelynn J Wuestenberg
May 3, 2024 8:48 AM

Key Points

  • Precipitation 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.
Weather and Climate, Weekly Climate Outlook

Madelynn J Wuestenberg
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

Weather and Climate, Weekly Climate Outlook

Dr. Billy Beck
April 22, 2024 11:29 AM

On-farm woodland and tree resources have potential to add significant value to agricultural enterprises and landscapes through income diversification, livestock and crop protection, soil stability, enhanced water quality, wildlife and pollinator habitat, recreation, aesthetics and mental health b

Forestry

Madelynn J Wuestenberg
April 18, 2024 5:06 PM

Key Points

  • Cold 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

Weather and Climate, Weekly Climate Outlook

Madelynn J Wuestenberg
April 11, 2024 12:00 PM

Key Points

  • El Nino transitioning to La Nina during this summer; increased risk of heat
  • Still need more moisture for streamflow recovery in many areas of the state, particularly southern and eastern parts of the state
Weather and Climate, Weekly Climate Outlook

Madelynn J Wuestenberg
April 9, 2024 1:46 PM

Many of us were found staring up at the sky on Monday around 2:00 PM in Iowa, as we marveled at the moon blocking the sun. But what effect does this phenomenon have on weather?

Weather and Climate

Catherine DeLong
March 13, 2024 10:52 AM

Owners of private wells can be connected to local experts and funding to test their well by attending one of several workshops being held across the state. The Private Well Stewardship Program,

Water Quality

Dr. Adam Janke
March 1, 2024 9:50 AM

The use of lead shot for waterfowl hunting was banned in Iowa in 1987 in an attempt to spare birds the agonizing effects of lead poisoning resulting from their incidental consumption of spent shot.

Wildlife

Dr. Billy Beck
February 24, 2024 11:04 AM

Woodland owners and land managers can improve their knowledge of Iowa’s woodland resources this spring and fall by participating in a hands-on training program offered by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. The 

Forestry

Dr. Billy Beck
February 23, 2024 10:18 AM

Woodland owners who want to know the value of their forest or how their forest can be improved oftentimes just need to know where to begin.

That’s the goal behind two new forest resources from Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.

Forestry

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