11/6/25 - Killing Frost this weekend...then warmer again
What in the Weather?
Weather Forecast: Big winter cooldown coming this weekend with lows in the teens and highs in the upper 20s-low 30s Potential snowfall of 1-5 inches across northern Iowa Saturday into Sunday Temperatures warming back to the 50s early next week Leaning warmer and slightly wetter pattern continues in 8-14 day outlook (Nov 13-19) Historical Weather: Looking back at the November 6, 1990 snowstorm that brought up to 8.5 inches of snow and a record low of -1°F Recent Conditions: Six consecutive weeks of above-average temperatures ended with near-normal conditions at the end of October Western...
info_outline
10/23/25 - So...about that frost that just happened
What in the Weather?
Historical Weather: On October 23, 1908, southwestern Iowa received significant early snowfall—up to 11 inches in Clarinda Current Frost Event: 57 of 160-200 weather stations recorded temperatures at or below 32°F this week, though not considered meteorologically "widespread" Weather Forecast: Stable pattern for next few days, then rain chances Sunday night through Tuesday (0.5-1+ inches expected across most of the state) Temperature Outlook: Warmer than normal for late October/early November; synoptic-scale flow patterns emerging Climate Prediction Center: Slight warm signal and...
info_outline
10/16/25 - Widespread frost not likely until November
What in the Weather?
Weather History & Current Conditions Historical note: In 1950, Des Moines saw a 14° temperature spike in 5 minutes during a thunderstorm, reaching 87° due to prefrontal warming Current forecast: Cold front Friday with showers/thunderstorms, then cooler temps - returning to seasonal averages (mid-60s highs, upper-40s lows) Frost Watch Only 5 Iowa stations have hit freezing so far (Elkader, Sioux Center at 31°, Stanley, Spencer and Mason City at 32°) No widespread frost or freeze expected through end of October Growers advised to protect tender crops like basil during low-40s...
info_outline
10/9/25 - Maybe no frost 'til last week of October?
What in the Weather?
This Day in Iowa Weather History: 1970 early season snowstorm brought 5.1 inches to Sioux City - their earliest 1+ inch accumulation on record Current Weather Forecast: Slight warm-up through the weekend with above-average temperatures Isolated chance of showers/thunderstorms overnight and late Saturday into Sunday No widespread frost expected through at least October 24th Climate Outlook: 8-14 day outlook: leaning warmer and slightly wetter October outlook: warmer with equal chances for precipitation La Niña Advisory issued - conditions present and expected to persist through December...
info_outline
9/25/25 - Frost before Oct. 11 not likely
What in the Weather?
Weather History & Forecast: 1942: Early snowfall hit Iowa on this date, with up to 4 inches accumulating in some areas Coming week: Unseasonably warm and dry with sunny days, temperatures above normal Extended outlook: Strong warm signal through early October, particularly in upper Midwest Recent Weather: Past week: 8-12 degrees above average statewide First above-average rainfall period in weeks (with the highest, 4.54", in Fort Dodge!) Eastern Iowa remained drier than western areas Specialty Crop Updates: Peppers: Good yields continuing due to warm weather; some cyclamen/broad mite...
info_outline
9/17/25 - How bad was the summer this year?
What in the Weather?
• Historical Weather Moment: In 1912, Iowa experienced extreme weather swings from 104°F heat to snow flurries within just 9 days in September • Current Forecast: Unsettled weather with cut-off low pressure system bringing increased precipitation chances, potential storms with wind and small hail, but overall benign conditions • 8-14 Day Outlook: "Red bullseye" over Iowa and Minnesota indicating high likelihood of above-normal temperatures (mid-upper 70s vs normal) through September 30th • Recent Weather Events: Northern Iowa hit with 1+ inch hail reports across multiple...
info_outline
9/11/25 - Summery Weather Ahead
What in the Weather?
Weather Forecast & Climate Updates • Hot and dry conditions ahead with temperatures in low-mid 90s and heat index values in mid-upper 90s • 8-14 day outlook shows continued warmth into late September with slight chance for above normal precipitation • ENSO update: 71% chance of La Niña transition October-December, signaling potential warm and dry fall/winter This Week's Weather Recap • Chilly temperatures that felt great after a hot summer • Mostly dry conditions with under 0.4 inches for most of the state • First freeze of season recorded at Stanley, Iowa (32°F on September...
info_outline
9/4/25 - Summer Season Recap
What in the Weather?
Weather History & Forecasts Iowa Weather History (1989): Large thunderstorms brought heavy rain to western Iowa with severe weather and brief tornadoes, causing wind damage, roof damage, and trees falling on cars 7-Day Forecast: Cool autumn weather with clear skies and below-average temperatures; best rain chances on days 4-6 due to Atlantic activity and shifted Bermuda high Climate Outlook: September 9-13 shows slightly warmer temperatures and higher precipitation chances in western Iowa; monthly outlook suggests equal temperature chances and wetter conditions statewide Weather Summary...
info_outline
8/28/25 - Continuing Cool and Drier..."Worst Season Ever?"
What in the Weather?
Weather Forecast & Conditions: Cold front moving south from Minnesota will stall over Iowa, bringing rain chances Friday-Sunday Expected rainfall: up to 1-1.5 inches in northwest Iowa, less than 0.5 inches elsewhere Cool temperatures continuing into early September (50-60% chance of below normal temps) First overnight lows in the 40s recorded this past week Historical Weather Note: August 28, 1979: Violent F3-F4 tornado tracked 45 miles across southwestern Iowa, killing 2 people and causing millions in damage Growing Season Challenges: One grower called this "the worst growing...
info_outline
8/21/25 - Cooler and Drier on the way...Warm fall?
What in the Weather?
What in the Weather? - August 21, 2025 Episode Summary Weather Discussion Historic perspective: August 21, 2004 saw unusually cool temps (upper 30s) in northern Iowa - opposite of current conditions Hot summer analysis: July averaged 2°F above normal with exceptional humidity (85% of days had above-average dew points) Heat index impact: Triple-digit heat index values driven more by high dew points (upper 70s-low 80s) than air temperatures Moisture source: Gulf moisture "gate wide open" with southerly winds bringing exceptional humidity to upper Midwest Forecast Weekend cooldown: Dramatic...
info_outlineIowa Weather History
- 1906 Historical Frost: Late season statewide frost on May 28th with temperatures dropping to 30-32°F across multiple Iowa cities, though crop damage was minimal due to brief duration
- 2021 Comparison: Similar late freeze event occurred on May 29th with 37°F statewide average (13° below normal)
- Recent Frost Data: Last frost dates varied by location - Sibley (April 21st), Ames (April 12th), Keokuk (April 9th), though Mason City hit 32°F as recently as May 20th
Weather Forecast & Climate Trends
- Short-term: Nice weekend weather with 70s-80s temperatures, some scattered showers and thunderstorms
- Long-term outlook: Moving toward more active storm pattern with warmer and wetter conditions expected
- Growing season: Expanding by 10-15 days due to climate trends, with later fall freezes and earlier spring thaws
- Moisture transport: Southern states' wet conditions could benefit Iowa through Gulf moisture transport mechanisms
Recent Weather Conditions
- Memorial Day weekend: Quieter weather with temperatures 6-8°F below average
- Soil conditions: Persistently moist and cool, excellent for plant establishment
- Spring assessment: Very comfortable conditions, though not quite as ideal as 2024 when no irrigation was needed
Specialty Crop Impacts & Pest Management
Positive Conditions
- Excellent plant establishment due to consistent moisture
- No irrigation concerns for getting crops started
- Good conditions for transplant survival
Potential Issues
- Blossom end rot risk: Persistent wetness reduces water movement and calcium transport in tomatoes
- Weed pressure: Moist conditions favor rapid weed growth
Active Pests to Monitor
- Colorado Potato Beetle: Now active based on degree day models, targeting potatoes and eggplants
- Seed Corn Maggot: Second generation emerging, threatens direct-seeded crops like beans, corn, cucumbers
- Slugs: Increased activity in moist conditions, causing characteristic rasping damage
- Roly-polies: Higher populations in high organic matter soils may damage plant stems
Management Recommendations
- Use row covers for newly planted eggplants and direct-seeded crops to protect from Colorado Potato Beetle, flea beetles, and seed corn maggot.
- Scout for Colorado potato beetle eggs and larvae
- Hand removal and soapy water treatments for organic pest control
- Monitor for slug damage patterns (round holes with scraped areas)
- Stay vigilant about weed management during optimal growing conditions
Episode Summary generated by Claude.ai and edited by Dan Fillius