Released by the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig commented on the Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report released by the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service. The report is released weekly April through November. Additionally, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship provides a weather summary each week during this time.

“After a rough stretch of severe weather, farmers welcomed a break from the thunderstorms and headed back to the fields, with many areas getting closer to wrapping up planting,” Secretary Naig said. “Following a warm and sunny Memorial Day in most parts of the state, weather outlooks through the end of May show a likelihood of warmer temperatures and drier conditions.”

Crop report

There were 4.0 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending May 24, 2026. This is 0.2 days more than last year, when there were 3.8 days suitable for fieldwork. Topsoil moisture condition rated 3 percent very short, 22 percent short, 70 percent adequate and 5 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 4 percent very short, 20 percent short, 69 percent adequate and 7 percent surplus.

Corn planted in Iowa reached 94 percent, which is equal to last year’s pace. Corn emerged reached 72 percent. Ninety percent of the expected soybean crop has been planted, 1 percentage point behind last year. Soybeans emerged reached 57 percent complete, which is on par with last year. Ninety-eight percent of the state’s oat crop has been planted, while 95 percent has emerged. Oats headed reached 16 percent. Oat condition rated 84 percent good to excellent. Pasture condition rated 75 percent good to excellent.

The weekly report is also available on the USDA’s website at https://www.nass.usda.gov/.

Weather summary

Provided by Justin Glisan, Ph.D., State Climatologist, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship

Early week severe weather yielded to a much quieter weather pattern by the weekend. However, numerous tornadoes were reported in northwest and southwest Iowa along with several hail and straight-line wind reports. Along with these thunderstorms, much of Iowa experienced unseasonably wet conditions. Temperatures moderated as well with cooler conditions over much of the western three-quarters of the state; the statewide average temperature was 58.8 degrees, 3.1 degrees below normal.

A strong cold front clashed with an unseasonably warm and unstable atmosphere over western Iowa later in the afternoon and evening on Sunday (17th). Supercells quickly formed along the South Dakota–Nebraska border and swept eastward, becoming tornado-warned from just south of Sioux City (Woodbury County) into north-central Iowa as the line advanced and bowed out. Storms largely dropped below the severe threshold around midnight as the complex moved into eastern Iowa. The preliminary number of tornadoes was 20, with all being rated at EF-1 or weaker. Numerous strong straight-line wind gusts were observed along the line with an 82-mph gust in Gruver (Emmet County) and an 88-mph reading in Correctionville (Woodbury County). Rainfall totals at 7:00 am on Monday (18th) were widespread with all stations reporting measurable totals; amounts between 0.50-0.75 inch were common with the highest totals of 2.00 inches in Le Mars (Plymouth County), 3.00 inches in Bedford (Taylor County) and a statewide average of 0.64 inch. Instability increased through the afternoon hours across southwest Iowa as another cold front crossed into the western extent of the state. Outflow boundaries from earlier thunderstorms interacted with surface boundaries in Nebraska firing off strong thunderstorms in the northeast corner. These storms gathered energy and sped into southwest Iowa towards the evening hours. Over the next few hours, four weak tornadoes were observed across southern Iowa. There was also a long and narrow swath of very heavy rainfall where strong supercells were found; Osceola (Clarke County) hit 2.02 inches with 3.18 inches in Pella (Marion County) and 5.30 inches in Mount Ayr (Ringgold County).

Tuesday (19th) dawned with overcast skies, gusty northwesterly winds and lows in the mid 40s to low 50s over the western two-thirds of Iowa; temperatures were still in the 60s in eastern Iowa, which was still ahead of the transiting cold front. Clouds remained through the day as afternoon highs held in the 50s. Skies cleared into Wednesday (20th) as morning lows dropped into the 30s west to mid 40s east. Daytime conditions were mostly sunny with northeasterly winds and temperatures in the mid 50s to mid 60s. Clouds increased overnight into Thursday (21st) with light showers pushing across portions of the state. Temperatures were similar to the previous day though the southeast corner of Iowa pushed into the upper 60s. Rain showers became more widespread over northwestern Iowa after sunset as a low-pressure center propagated through Minnesota. Stations across the northwest one-third collected at least 0.25 inch with several others registering over an inch; Spencer Municipal Airport (Clay County) observed 1.04 inches while Sioux City Airport reported 1.48 inches. Friday (22nd) was a partly sunny day with pleasant temperatures in the 60s and light southeasterly winds. Winds turned northwesterly into Saturday (23rd) morning as a weak cold front exited the state. Daytime temperatures held in the low to mid 70s with ample sunshine. Over conditions remained clear with a quarter gibbous moon and temperatures in the 50s.

Weekly precipitation totals ranged from 0.15 inch at Decorah Municipal Airport (Winneshiek County) to 5.50 inches in Mount Ayr (Ringgold County). The statewide weekly average precipitation was 1.51 inches; the normal is 1.12 inches. Little Sioux (Harrison County) reported the week’s high temperature of 89 degrees on the 24th, 14 degrees above normal. Northwood (Worth County) reported the week’s low temperature of 30 degrees on the 20th, 17 degrees below normal.

Released by the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig commented on the Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report released by the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service. The report is released weekly April through November. Additionally, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship provides a weather summary each week during this time.

“My thoughts are with all those who experienced storm damage from the hail, high winds and tornadoes that moved through over the weekend. Forecasts show another round of severe weather is possible tonight, and then many farms and communities will continue the difficult work of recovery and clean up,” Secretary Naig said. “Despite the weather challenges over the weekend, the rainfall was beneficial for many farmers, providing a timely boost to recently planted corn and soybeans. Forecasts for the remainder of the week call for a return to milder and drier conditions, which should allow farmers to resume fieldwork.”

Crop report

There were 6.1 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending May 17, 2026. Topsoil moisture condition rated 5 percent very short, 26 percent short, 64 percent adequate, and 5 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 4 percent very short, 23 percent short, 69 percent adequate, and 4 percent surplus. Corn planting reached 88 percent complete, which is one percentage point behind last year and six percentage points ahead of the five-year average. Forty-six percent of corn had emerged, which is eight percentage points behind last year’s pace and three percentage points ahead of the five-year average. Eighty percent of the expected soybeans have been planted, which is one percentage point behind last year and 12 percentage points ahead of the five-year average. Soybean emergence reached 28 percent, which is 10 percentage points behind last year and three percentage points ahead of the five-year average. Oats planting in Iowa reached 97 percent complete and 87 percent of oats have emerged. Pasture condition rated 73 percent good to excellent.

The weekly report is also available on the USDA’s website at https://www.nass.usda.gov/.

Weather summary 

Provided by Justin Glisan, Ph.D., State Climatologist, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship

A significant shift in the large-scale pattern brought an active end to the reporting period, as several rounds of severe thunderstorms produced large hail, high winds and a weak tornado in Iowa. Rainfall was also above normal across portions of southern and northeastern Iowa. Unseasonably warm temperatures continued statewide with the highest departures approaching five degrees; the statewide average temperature was 63.8 degrees, 4.6 degrees above normal.

Sunday (10^th) afternoon was breezy with northwesterly winds, mostly sunny skies and daytime highs in the upper 60s and low 70s. Winds became variable and light into Monday (11^th) with morning lows in the low 30s north to low 50s south. A shift to southerly winds pushed afternoon highs into the low 80s southwest while temperatures were 15-20 degrees cooler farther northeast. A weak cold front began dropping through the state before daybreak on Tuesday (12^th), bringing light showers over portions of northern Iowa, though totals were below 0.10 inch over northern Iowa at 7:00 a.m. Showers became more numerous as the front pushed through eastern Iowa with 0.12 inch reported in Bellevue (Dubuque County) and 0.13 inch in Iowa Falls (Hardin County). Afternoon conditions stabilized as high pressure took control of the Upper Midwest. Temperatures rose into the upper 70s with spotty low 80s and anomalously low dewpoints over northern Iowa. Strong northwesterly winds also lofted dry, cultivated soil into the air, reducing visibility at several locations. Starry skies prevailed into Wednesday (13^th) with unseasonably warm morning lows in the mid 50s southeast; temperatures were more seasonal across northern Iowa. The rest of the day was pleasant with temperatures in the 70s and blustery northerly winds.

Thursday (14^th) started with clear skies and temperatures in the 50s across Iowa’s western two-thirds. Cloud cover increased over western and northern Iowa as stronger southerly winds built in. Afternoon temperatures held in the 70s as isolated thunderstorms formed along the Iowa-Minnesota border. Additional showers formed over northeastern Iowa through the late evening hours, pushing into the southeast corner after sunset. Several stations in Lee County observed higher totals ranging from 0.29 inch in Salem to 0.45 inch in Augusta; many stations in the northeast one-third of the state picked up measurable totals. Friday (15^th) was the first of several severe weather days across the Midwest as daytime temperatures quickly warmed into the upper 80s in the presence of ample northerly moisture advection. A strong cold front slammed into this unstable airmass through the evening hours, firing strong to severe thunderstorms along the boundary. Northwestern Iowa experienced widespread reports of damaging hail, some of which were larger than two inches, as was observed in Anthon (Woodbury County) and several stations in Hancock County, including Kanawha and Meservey. Severe straight-line winds were also reported in southwest and northeast Iowa. Rainfall was widespread with more than half of the stations measuring at least 0.30 inch; Allison (Butler County) registered 1.40 inches. Saturday (16^th) saw more concentrated severe weather in the southwest with 2.75-inch hail reported in Red Oak (Montgomery County) and a weak tornado near Gravity (Taylor County). Heavy rain also overspread much of south Iowa along with pockets in the northwest; nearly 20 stations had at least 2.00 inches with an additional 30 hitting 1.00 inch or more.

Weekly precipitation totals ranged from 0.10 inch at Sioux City Air National Guard Base (Woodbury County) to 6.08 inches in Westfield (Plymouth County). The statewide weekly average precipitation was 0.96 inch; the normal is 1.10 inches. Sioux City Airport (Woodbury County) reported the week’s high temperature of 95 degrees on the 15^th, 23 degrees above normal. Spencer Municipal Airport (Clay County) reported the week’s low temperature of 26 degrees on the 11^th, 20 degrees below normal. Four-inch soil temperatures were in the low to mid 60s statewide as of Sunday.

Released by the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig commented on the Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report released by the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service. The report is released weekly April through November. Additionally, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship provides a weather summary each week during this time.  

“Farmers made a lot of planting progress last week thanks to drier conditions across the state,” Secretary Naig said. “Although parts of northern Iowa had a few mornings of frost, the forecast through-mid May indicates warmer temperatures and the potential for more near-normal rainfall. As long as conditions are favorable, farmers will keep the planters rolling this week.”  

 Crop report

There were 6.5 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending May 10, 2026, which is 0.1 day more than last year, when there were 6.4 days suitable for fieldwork. Topsoil moisture conditions rated 3 percent very short, 23 percent short, 68 percent adequate and 6 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture conditions rated 3 percent very short, 18 percent short, 74 percent adequate and 5 percent surplus. Corn planting in Iowa reached 72 percent complete, which is even with last year and 9 percentage points above the five-year average. Corn emergence reached 19 percent, 8 percentage points below last year but even with the five-year average. Soybean planting reached 60 percent, which is the same as 2025 and 12 percentage points above the five-year average. 7 percent of the soybean crop has emerged. Oats planted in Iowa reached 94 percent, 2 percentage points behind last year when 96 percent of the crop had been planted. 

The weekly report is also available on the USDA’s website at https://www.nass.usda.gov/. 

Weather summary 

Provided by Justin Glisan, Ph.D., State Climatologist, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship 

 For the first time in several weeks, rainfall was sparse across most of Iowa, with all stations reporting unseasonably dry conditions. Only the southeastern corner of the state recorded near-normal precipitation totals. Temperatures also remained cooler than normal throughout the week, with the coldest conditions occurring in northern Iowa. The statewide average temperature was 54.1 degrees, 2.4 degrees below normal. 

Gusty northwesterly winds died down into Sunday (3rd) afternoon under sunny skies and temperatures in the 70s. Winds shifted back to a southerly direction into early Monday (4th) with morning lows in the upper 40s and low 50s at most locations; temperatures were several degrees cooler over portions of western Iowa. Isolated showers developed in northwest Iowa early in the day, though rainfall totals were minimal. Stronger thunderstorms fired in southeastern Iowa later in the day as a cold front dropped through the state. Afternoon conditions were warm with mid 60s over northern Iowa and upper 70s to low 80s across the south. A few storms were severe warned due to small hail and a few 60 mph wind gusts. Several stations in Lee County reported heavier rainfall, varying from 0.33 inch in Fort Madison to 0.74 inch in Hillsboro and 0.96 inch in Augusta. Many other southeastern stations registered a few tenths of an inch at most. Tuesday (5th) and Wednesday (6th) were generally pleasant days with northwesterly winds, partly cloudy skies and daytime temperatures in the 50s. Thursday (7th) dawned with variable winds and cloudy skies for much of southern and eastern Iowa. Morning lows under cloud cover were in the 40s while clear skies in the northwest allowed for more radiational cooling, allowing temperatures to drop into the mid to upper 30s. Spotty showers pushed through central to eastern Iowa from the morning to early afternoon, leaving behind widespread totals under 0.10 inch. Higher totals were observed farther east from additional showers later in the evening; North English (Iowa County) reported 0.21 inch with 0.30 inch in Muscatine (Muscatine County). Southwestern Iowa started Friday (8th) under cloud cover with partly cloudy skies developing through the day statewide. Winds shifted westerly later in the day as temperatures rose into the 70s. Gusty northwesterly winds built in on Saturday (9th) with daylight conditions in the mid to upper 60s for most of the state; southern Iowa stations made it back into the mid to upper 70s. Winds turned more northerly towards midnight before swinging back to the west by daybreak with Sunday (10th) morning temperatures in the 30s west to 40s east.  

Weekly precipitation totals ranged from no accumulation across northern Iowa to 0.96 inch at Augusta. The statewide weekly average precipitation was 0.03 inch; the normal is 1.04 inches. Davenport (Scott County) reported the week’s high temperature of 86 degrees on the 4th, 18 degrees above normal. Sioux City Airport (Woodbury County) reported the week’s low temperature of 22 degrees on the 7th, 21 degrees below normal. Four-inch soil temperatures were in the low 50s north to upper 50s south as of Sunday. 

Released by the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig commented on the Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report released by the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service. The report is released weekly April through November. Additionally, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship provides a weather summary each week during this time.

“April will go down as one of the wettest on record, and that moisture has helped ease drought conditions for the majority of the state,” said Secretary Naig. “Looking ahead, the forecast trends a bit cooler and drier through the first few weeks of May, which should give farmers a longer window to keep the planters running.”

Crop report

There were 4.2 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending May 3, 2026, which is 1.0 day more than last year. Topsoil moisture condition rated 1 percent very short, 9 percent short, 81 percent adequate and 9 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 2 percent very short, 13 percent short, 78 percent adequate and 7 percent surplus. Corn planting in Iowa reached 42 percent complete, which is 5 percent behind last year when 47 percent of the crop had been planted. Soybean planting reached 27 percent, which is 9 percent behind 2025 when 36 percent of the crop had been planted. Oats planting reached 88 percent, 2 percent behind last year when 90 percent had been planted.

The weekly report is also available on the USDA’s website at https://www.nass.usda.gov/.

Weather summary

Provided by Justin Glisan, Ph.D., State Climatologist, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship

After four consecutive unseasonably warm reporting periods, temperatures across Iowa were cooler than average; the statewide average temperature was 50.7 degrees, 3.2 degrees above normal. A much less active weather pattern held across the Midwest with no significant severe weather reported in Iowa. Rainfall totals were slightly above average northwest and south.

A low pressure system pushed across the state through Sunday (26^th) afternoon bringing showers and thunderstorms to southern and northwestern Iowa. Additional development of more broadscale rainfall occurred after midnight and continued through the late morning hours of Monday (27^th); isolated thundershowers formed along the lagging cold front into the afternoon with hail observed in Lourdes (Howard County). Event rain totals were highest in Dickinson County where amounts at five stations varied from 1.93 inches in Milford to 3.74 inches at Lake Park. Over 70 stations collected at least an inch with most Iowa stations reporting measurable amounts; the statewide average rainfall was 0.68 inch. Daytime conditions remained overcast with a westerly wind and temperatures from the upper 40s northwest to low 70s southeast. Clouds cleared much of western Iowa by sunrise on Tuesday (28^th) with morning lows in the 40s and light northwesterly winds. Scattered showers moved into southwestern Iowa later in the day with afternoon temperatures holding in the 50s. Additional rain was reported over northern Iowa with several stations measuring more than 0.10 inch of rain with 0.25 inch in Dundee (Delaware County) and 0.46 inch in Rock Rapids (Lyon County). Wednesday (29^th) was a generally quiet day, with partly to mostly cloudy morning skies yielding to partly sunny conditions in the afternoon and temperatures again in the 50s.

Morning showers cleared out of central and western Iowa by Thursday (30^th) afternoon with northwesterly winds, partly sunny skies and temperatures in the 50s. Friday (1^st) saw variable winds as a weak low pressure disturbance pushed through the state. Scattered showers formed in eastern Iowa later in the afternoon, though rainfall totals were minor. Cloudy skies persisted into the nighttime hours, clearing into early morning. Stations across northern Iowa reported readings in the upper 20s at 7:00 am on Saturday (2^nd) with 30s over southern Iowa. Daytime temperatures rebounded into the 60s with winds becoming westerly under sunny skies. A shifting southerly wind held Sunday (3^rd) morning lows through much of Iowa in the upper 40s and low 50s with some cloud cover observed in eastern Iowa.

Weekly precipitation totals ranged from 0.04 inch in Holstein (Ida County) to 3.79 inches in Lake Park. The statewide weekly average precipitation was 0.71 inch; the normal is 1.04 inches. Davenport (Scott County) and Mount Ayr (Ringgold County) reported the week’s high temperature of 79 degrees on the 27^th, on average 14 degrees above normal. Spencer Municipal Airport (Clay County) reported the week’s low temperature of 25 degrees on the 2^nd, 17 degrees below normal. Four-inch soil temperatures were in the mid to upper 50s statewide as of Sunday.

Released by the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig commented on the Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report released by the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service. The report is released weekly April through November. Additionally, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship provides a weather summary each week during this time.

“Many farmers got a good start on planting last week, though widespread rain on Thursday and again over the weekend parked planters for a few days,” Secretary Naig said. “The good news is that soil temperatures are on the rise, and outlooks into May are showing the potential for cooler and drier weather after a very active stretch of severe weather. I expect farmers will be making the most of every good window to keep planting moving along.”

Crop report 

There were 4.3 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending April 26, 2026, which is 2.0 days more than last year. Topsoil moisture condition rated 2 percent very short, 8 percent short, 76 percent adequate and 14 percent surplus. Corn planting in Iowa reached 22 percent complete, which is 10 percent behind last year when 32 percent of the crop had been planted. Soybean planting reached 11 percent, which is 12 percent behind 2025, when 23 percent of the crop had been planted. Oats planting reached 74 percent, 5 percent behind last year when 79 percent had been planted.

The weekly report is also available on the USDA’s website at https://www.nass.usda.gov/.

Weather summary

Provided by Justin Glisan, Ph.D., State Climatologist, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship

While rainfall was widespread across Iowa though April’s last full week, this was the first reporting period with below normal totals for most stations; only the southwest corner was unseasonably wet. Temperatures remained unseasonably warm with positive departures approaching nine degrees east; the statewide average temperature was 57.4 degrees, 6.0 degrees above normal.

Gusty northwesterly winds held Sunday (19^th) afternoon temperatures in the mid 40s northeast to mid 60s southwest with stray clouds passing over the state. Monday (20^th) dawned chilly with morning lows in the upper 20s to mid 30s north to south. Winds swung back around to a southerly direction under clear skies with daytime temperatures reaching the 60s across western Iowa; temperatures were 10 to 15 degrees cooler farther east. Southwesterly winds increased overnight into Tuesday (21^st) with lows around sunrise in the low to mid 50s at most stations. Unseasonably warm temperatures blanketed much of Iowa’s northwestern half with mid to upper 80s observed at many locations; the statewide average high was 83 degrees, 20 degrees above normal. Isolated showers developed over northwestern Iowa around daybreak on Wednesday (22^nd) leaving behind minor rainfall totals at several stations; Le Mars (Plymouth County) collected 0.09 inch while 0.19 inch was reported in Spencer (Clay County). Skies remained generally clear through the day as southerly winds ramped up with temperatures in the mid 70s over southern Iowa to the low to mid 80s across the northern reaches of the state.

Cloud cover increased over western Iowa into Thursday (23^rd) as a cold front advanced through the state. Afternoon conditions within the warm sector were unstable with ample forcing for upward motion in the presence of low level wind shear. Storms fired along the Iowa-Nebraska border and quickly became severe-warned. Multiple weak tornadoes were confirmed with some structural damage in Little Sioux (Harrison County). Large hail was the dominant mode of severe weather until the front pushed into central Iowa later in the evening. Three additional weak tornadoes were observed near Slater (Story County), around Mitchellville (Polk County) and just east of Interstate 35 in Weldon (Decatur County). From central Iowa on, the event transitioned to numerous straight-line wind reports with a 70 mph wind gusts in Lamoni (Decatur County) and Davenport (Scott County). Rainfall was reported at most Iowa stations with more than 75 collecting at least 1.00 inch; two stations in Delaware County, Hopkinton and Manchester reported 1.67 inches and 2.11 inches, respectively with a statewide average of 0.60 inch. Winds shifted to the northwest behind the front with Friday (24^th) morning temperatures in the low 30s northwest to mid 50s southeast. Afternoon conditions were pleasant with highs in the 60s and sunshine. Saturday (25^th) was nearly a mirror image of the previous day except for easterly winds, signaling an approaching low pressure system. Showers moved into western Iowa into the afternoon hours with totals holding under a few tenths of an inch, though Underwood (Pottawattamie County) hit 0.76 inch. Western Iowa remained overcast into Sunday (26^th) morning while clear conditions were reported in the east with lows in the 40s.

Weekly precipitation totals ranged from 0.01 inch in Clinton (Clinton County) to 2.11 inches in Manchester (Delaware County). The statewide weekly average precipitation was 0.69 inch; the normal is 0.98 inch. Mapleton (Monona County) and Sioux City Airport (Woodbury County) reported the week’s high temperature of 89 degrees on the 21^st, on average 26 degrees above normal. Municipal airports in Mason City (Cerro Gordo County) and Spencer (Clay County) reported the week’s low temperature of 21 degrees on the 20^th, on average 16 degrees below normal. Four-inch soil temperatures varied from the low 50s northwest to mid 60s southeast as of Sunday.

Released by the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig commented on the Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report released by the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service. The report is released weekly April through November. Additionally, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship provides a weather summary each week during this time.

“Last week’s active weather pattern presented plenty of severe weather challenges across the state. Farmers certainly welcomed the moisture, but we could have gone without the wind, hail and tornadoes,” Secretary Naig said. “This week looks to be a bit quieter, and that will help farmers as they look to get the planters rolling.”

Crop report 

There were 2.7 days suitable for fieldwork during the week, 2.8 days less than last year. Topsoil moisture condition rated 2 percent very short, 8 percent short, 72 percent adequate and 18 percent surplus. Corn planting in Iowa reached 2 percent complete, which is 14 percentage points behind last year when 16 percent had been planted. Soybean planting reached 1 percent, which is 9 percentage points behind 2025 when 10 percent of the crop had been planted. Oats seeding reached 51 percent complete, 14 percentage points behind last year.

The weekly report is also available on the USDA’s website at https://www.nass.usda.gov/.

Weather summary

Provided by Justin Glisan, Ph.D., State Climatologist, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship

Severe weather was the headline through the reporting period with several rounds of thunderstorms producing all modes of hazardous weather, including large hail, flash flooding and several tornadoes. This was also the third consecutive week of above-normal rainfall for much of Iowa. Temperatures were well above average with positive departures approaching 14 degrees from central to southeast Iowa; the statewide average temperature was 60.3 degrees, 11.4 degrees above normal.

Showers streamed across Iowa’s eastern half through Sunday (12^th) afternoon while sunny skies and gusty southerly winds held over northwestern Iowa. Rainfall was highest along a narrow south-central to northeast band with 0.69 inch at Rathbun Dam (Appanoose County) to 0.95 inch in Peosta (Dubuque County); general totals where rain fell were in the 0.20- to 0.40-inch range. The first of four severe weather days occurred across northern Iowa on Monday (13^th) as a low pressure center transited the Iowa-Minnesota border. Afternoon temperatures pushed into the upper 70s in the presence of ample low-level moisture and wind shear. A few weak tornadoes developed later in the evening along with pockets of large hail and locally heavy rainfall; Ringsted (Emmet County) registered 0.97 inch while Lake Mills (Winnebago County) collected 1.42 inches. Tuesday (14^th) dawned unseasonably warm in southern and eastern Iowa where morning air temperatures and dewpoints were in the low to mid 60s. A secondary low pressure center pushed through central Iowa as the attendant cold front clashed with warm, unstable air to the east, firing strong to severe thunderstorms. The storms raced east into the evening hours, producing two EF-1 tornadoes in Masonville (Buchanan County) and Dubuque (Dubuque County). Large hail was also widespread in eastern Iowa with a 3.5-inch hailstorm reported in Elma (Howard County). Stronger storms training over the same locations also produced very heavy rainfall; six stations hit 2.00 inches or more with 2.45 inches in Hartford (Warren County) and 2.78 inches in Sully (Jasper County). Much of Iowa’s southeastern two-thirds reported totals of a few tenths of an inch with a statewide average of 0.51 inch.

Severe weather on Wednesday (15^th) was dominated by large hail across much of southern Iowa along with isolated straight-line wind reports in the southeast corner.  Significant rainfall occurred at more than 30 stations where at least 1.00 inch was observed. Many locations in eastern Iowa picked up more than 0.75 inch with multiple tenths of inch farther west. The statewide average rainfall was 0.55 inch with the highest total of 1.93 inches in Vinton (Benton County). Thursday (16^th) was a pleasant day with morning lows in the upper 40s and low 50s under clear skies with a light westerly wind. Winds turned southerly into the afternoon hours, boosting highs into the upper 70s southeast to mid 80s northwest. Clouds increased overnight into Friday (17^th) as a strong low pressure center pushed into northwest Iowa. A cold front rapidly moved through western Iowa as instability, wind shear and moisture ramped up from central to eastern Iowa. Initial discrete supercells fired in eastern Iowa, well ahead of the surface boundary. Frontal-based thunderstorms were able to overcome the low-level cap and rapidly intensify just east of Des Moines (Polk County). Thunderstorms merged along the front as several became severe and tornado warned. Washington (Washington County) reported structural damage to farm buildings from a tornado. Straight-line winds became the dominate severe weather mode as the front moved closer to the Mississippi River; Cascade (Dubuque County) measured an 86 mph wind gust. Moderate to heavy rainfall was widespread in eastern Iowa with 1.02 inches in Ottumwa (Wapello County) and 2.35 inches in Wayne County. Saturday (18^th) into Sunday (19^th) was much less active with partly cloudy skies and much cooler temperatures.

Weekly precipitation totals ranged from no accumulation in Rock Rapids (Lyon County) to 4.34 inches at Bellevue Lock and Dam (Jackson County). The statewide weekly average precipitation was 1.27 inches; the normal is 0.87 inch. Lamoni (Decatur County) reported the week’s high temperature of 89 degrees on the 15^th, 26 degrees above normal. Lake Park (Dickinson County) reported the week’s low temperature of 23 degrees on the 18^th, 12 degrees below normal. Four-inch soil temperatures varied from the upper 40s north to mid 50s south as of Sunday.