Iowa Weather History On June 4, 1998, sleet and trace ice were reported in Rock Rapids, northwestern Iowa—the only official winter precipitation recorded in Iowa in June; none in July or August. 1997–1998 was a strong El Niño year, noted for heavy precipitation events. Recent and Upcoming Weather Unsettled weather with rain and severe storms in eastern Iowa over the past week. Statewide air quality alert due to wildfire smoke from Canada, reducing solar radiation and lowering temperatures by 1–2°F. Transitioning to a warmer, drier pattern with scattered rain chances. Three- to four-week outlook: warmer than normal, but precipitation outlook is uncertain (equal chances of above, below, or normal rainfall). 8–14 day hazards outlook: slight risk of high temperatures (June 12–17) and heavy precipitation (June 11–14). Storm and Precipitation Recap Severe weather affected Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri, and southeast Iowa. Tornado reported in Kansas City; unconfirmed tornado in Fort Madison, Iowa, possibly derailing a train. Widespread rainfall: up to 2 inches in southeast Iowa, 2–2.5 inches in north-central and northwest Iowa, at least a trace in central Iowa. 80% of Iowa received at least half an inch of rain. Temperature Trends Last week: statewide average temperature 2.4°F below normal. Earlier in May: above normal temperatures, then a cool period. Meteorological Spring Recap (March–May) Precipitation: North-central Iowa: 114% of normal (1.4 inches above average). Southwest Iowa: 66% of normal (3.5 inches below average). Statewide: 92% of normal (about 1 inch below average). South-central and southwest Iowa: 5–6 inches below average, with ongoing drought. Temperature: Central to eastern and southern Iowa: top 20 warmest springs on record (since 1895), 1.5–2.4°F above normal. Statewide: 1.7°F above average. Severe Weather: March: 1 tornado (average is 2). April: 10 tornadoes (average is 6). May: 0 tornadoes (first time since 2010 with no May tornadoes). 2024 had 59 tornadoes in April and 47 in May—much more active than 2025. Daytime vs. Nighttime Warming: March: daytime highs 9.5°F above average, overnight lows 3.1°F above average. April: daytime highs 1.5°F above average, overnight lows 1.1°F above average. May: first half 4–6°F above average, second half cooler. Specialty Crop Impacts Wind and Erosion: Sandy soils in southeast Iowa caused sandblasting of young melons, requiring replanting. Cover crops helped reduce erosion. Pests: Moist conditions favored slugs and roly-polies (pill bugs), which damaged pepper leaves. Earwigs were problematic for dahlias. Sluggo Plus (iron phosphate with spinosad) is labeled for these pests, but efficacy is uncertain. Hay Harvest and Pests: Hay harvest displaces potato leaf hoppers, which then move to green beans and potatoes. Leaf hoppers are difficult to manage due to large populations. Garlic: Garlic scapes are emerging. Removing scapes increases yield by about 15%. Garlic scape anthracnose (a disease) can occur—remove affected scapes to prevent spread. Aster leaf hoppers and aster yellows disease: this year, no positive disease tests in Michigan (last year, 4–11% positive). Flowers: Campanula and feverfew recently bloomed. Dara and volunteer rudbeckia expected to bloom soon. Summary generated by Perplexity.ai and edited by Dan Fillius

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