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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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_outlineHistorical Weather (This Day in History - 1993)
- Severe thunderstorms moved from Nebraska to western Iowa at 60 mph
- Wind gusts exceeded 70 mph, with 75 mph winds in Pottawattamie County destroying barns
- Council Bluffs received 2 inches of rain in 30 minutes causing urban flooding
- Des Moines recorded 83 mph wind gust
- 1993 was record wet year for Ames (20 inches of rain in July alone vs. 8 inches in July 2025)
Current Weather Forecast
Short-term (Justin Glisan)
- Rainfall chances continue through Friday night
- Cold front broke heat dome, bringing dew points down
- Temperatures: mid-80s through weekend, then back to 90s
- Minor rainfall chances early next week
- Northern Iowa has less rain chance as storm track moves south
- Expected rainfall: 3/4 inch statewide (below normal), 1.5-2 inches in southwestern Iowa
Extended Outlook (Madelynn Wuestenberg)
- 6-10 day outlook (July 29-Aug 2): Slightly below normal temperatures in north, near normal in south; 33-40% chance above normal precipitation
- 8-14 day outlook (July 31-Aug 6): Continued slight chances of below normal temperatures; western Iowa slightly wetter, eastern Iowa near normal
- Normal temperatures: Daily highs mid-80s, lows in 60s
Recent Weather Events
Heat and Humidity
- Yesterday and prior day were hot, with cloud cover mitigating worst conditions in central Iowa
- Eastern Iowa experienced "dew point pooling" with dew points in upper 70s-low 80s
- Hottest reading: Dubuque Lock and Dam hit 95°F with heat index of 110°F
Severe Weather
- 6 AM tornado warnings in central Iowa
- Tornado warnings near Maxwell and eastern Iowa
- Caused by remnants of mesoscale convective vortex from Kansas moving along warm boundary
Rainfall Totals (Past 7 Days)
- Northeast Iowa: 4-4.5 inches (highest)
- Central Iowa: 3-3.5 inches
- Southwest Iowa: Trace to 0.25 inches (lowest, drought conditions persist)
Specialty Crop Impacts
Garlic Disease Investigation
- Farm in Chariton, Iowa had garlic crop with yellowing (suspected aster yellows)
- Testing revealed it was a virus, not aster yellows phytoplasma
- Cannot save seed for next year due to virus
- Comparison with aunt's clean stock showed dramatic difference
- At a different farm, possible Embellisia skin blotch observed on garlic wrappers
Brassica Issues
- Black rot & alternaria affecting collards, broccoli, and kale
- Wet conditions exacerbating disease problems
Nutritional Concerns
- Nitrogen leaching due to excessive moisture
- Fertilization may be necessary to supplement leached nutrients
Crop Performance Issues
- Onions in Central Minnesota: Unexpectedly bolting across all varieties (planted from seed this spring)
- Zucchini: Poor fruit set, currently "worst crop of the year" candidate
- Tomatoes: Slow growth, fruit remaining green
- General pollination: Poor across multiple crops due to hot, wet conditions
- Heat may be affecting fruit set in tomatoes and peppers (flower abortion)
Upcoming Events
- July 30: Cut flower field walk at River Root Farm (Decorah)
- July 31-Aug 1: Plant Peddler educator field day and variety day (Cresco)
- August 2: Grow Johnson County field day and food safety workshop
- August 5: Iowa State fruit and vegetable Field Day
- August 20: Midwest mechanical weed control field day
Show Notes
- Hiatus announcement: No new episodes for 3 weeks (pre-recorded content only)
- Return date: August 21st, 2025
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