If you’ve ventured outdoors in Iowa in recent days, or have seen the picturesque photos of white-coated trees posted on social media, you might wonder what is behind that frosty phenomenon. Terri Lang, a meteorologist with Environment and Climate Change Canada, notes that hoarfrost forms under cold, clear skies. Any moisture in the air goes […]
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February was snowiest on record in Iowa
No surprise: no areas of Iowa are experiencing drought heading into the coming spring. The average statewide snowfall for February was 22.6 inches, making this February the snowiest on record, with more than 40 inches of snow falling in northern parts of Iowa. While the risk of flooding has not completely subsided, the state is […]
Iowans advised to stay indoors as polar ...
The National Weather Service has issued a wind chill warning for Wednesday, Jan. 30, through Thursday, Jan. 31, 2019, for Iowa and other Midwestern states. Near historic cold and life-threatening wind chills are expected over the entire area through Thursday morning, the Weather Service reported. “The coldest temperatures since 1996 combined with wind are expected […]
Earth, Wind and Fire (and lightning) and...
DES MOINES – A thunderstorm that rumbled through central Iowa on Thursday, Aug. 16, resulted in a one-hour delay for the Earth, Wind & Fire concert at the Iowa State Fair. Opening act Sinbad started off the grandstand event, but audience members began to peel off as lightning began encroaching on the fairgrounds. After the […]
Iowa weather observers asked to join nat...
If you’re a gardener, you’re likely already keeping track of precipitation where you live. Iowa is recruiting volunteers to do so on a daily basis as part of a nationwide network. I looked up the rain gauge the network sells and it’s about $30, and it sounds like you can use your own, if you […]
Tomatoes still green? This could be the ...
Iowa’s unseasonably cool nights this August may be perfect for sleeping, but temperatures are among the factors that play a role in our gardens. I’ve heard from several gardeners whose tomatoes are slow to ripen this year, and Linn County Master Gardeners who take calls at the “Hortline” for Iowa State University Extension, are hearing […]
Statistics confirm the big chill in Iowa...
Lots of interesting data out today from State Climatologist Harry Hillaker, but perhaps it’s no surprise that Iowa experienced its coldest winter in 35 years. The past three months – December through February – also ranked as the ninth coldest in 141 years of record-keeping, with March, too, off to a cold start, averaging 20.4 […]
Iowa moving back to dry mode
After the over-abundance of precipitation earlier this season, I’m amazed that my rain barrel is already running dry. I’m told Ames received a good drenching of rain on Sunday and I had hoped it would make its way to Cedar Rapids. Didn’t happen. Now, I’m keeping my fingers crossed, along with other gardeners, that those […]
Drought outlook improving in some parts ...
Only one small patch of snow along the fence in my yard made it through the 60-degree temperatures in Eastern Iowa and it finally felt like spring! The Iowa Department of Natural Resources reports that last month was the coldest in nearly four decades and, on a more positive note, some parts of Iowa have […]