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.

“Beautiful weather throughout much of last week helped cap off an incredibly successful Iowa State Fair, with fairgoers turning out in record numbers,” Secretary Naig said. “As students and families settle into the routines of a new school year, farmers are keeping an eye on the forecast as crops continue to mature. Warmer temperatures and near-normal rainfall into early September should help keep the crops moving along as we inch closer to the busy fall harvest season.”

Crop report

There were 5.2 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending Aug. 23, 2026. This is 0.4 days less than last year, when there were 5.6 days suitable for fieldwork. Topsoil moisture condition rated 3 percent very short, 16 percent short, 70 percent adequate, and 11 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 5 percent very short, 21 percent short, 66 percent adequate, and 8 percent surplus. Ninety percent of Iowa’s corn crop has reached the dough stage, which is 3 percentage points ahead of last year. Forty-seven percent of corn reached the dent stage, which is 5 percentage points ahead of last year. One percent of corn has reached maturity, which is 2 percentage points behind last year. Corn condition rated 78 percent good to excellent. Soybeans setting pods reached 88 percent, which is 1 percentage point behind last year. Soybean condition rated 77 percent good to excellent. Ninety-seven percent of oats have been harvested, which is 1 percentage point ahead of last year. Pasture condition rated 65 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

Unseasonably dry conditions returned to the state with most stations reporting below normal rainfall. A shift to a more seasonal weather pattern brought near normal to slightly warmer conditions across Iowa through the reporting period; the statewide average temperature was 71.1 degrees, 0.5 degree above normal.

A complex of showers and few thunderstorms pushed across southern Iowa through Sunday (16^th) afternoon before dissipating in the evening hours. Daytime temperatures were in the upper 70s to low 80s with northerly winds and scattered cloud cover. Rain totals were generally a few tenths of an inch, though Keokuk Lock and Dam (Lee County) reported 0.64 inch while 0.75 inch was observed near Council Bluffs (Pottawattamie County). Foggy conditions developed over portions of the state on Monday (17^th) with morning lows from the mid to upper 50s north to low 60s south. Afternoon conditions were pleasant with highs in the upper 70s and low 80s with light winds and ample sunshine. Clouds increased over western Iowa into the early morning hours of Tuesday (18^th) as showers crossed into Iowa; moderate to heavy rain fell across the extreme southwest corner after sunrise with additional development in eastern Iowa. Isolated severe-warned storms also fired across portions of northern and eastern Iowa later in the afternoon through sunset along with heavier showers in the southeast. Overall rain totals were highest in the southern corners, with 1.35 inches in Sidney (Fremont County) to 1.47 inches in Augusta (Lee County). Many southern stations observing rainfall also registered amounts in the 0.25- to 0.75-inch range. Wind shifted northerly overnight as a stationary front held across southern Iowa. Another round of stronger thunderstorms moved into southwestern Iowa on Wednesday (19^th) morning with thunderstorms firing east to west along the surface boundary through the day; a weak land spout was observed near Marsh (Louisa County) later in the afternoon. Daytime temperatures held in the 70s statewide as clouds cleared and winds shifted northeasterly.

Thursday (20^th) was a mostly sunny day for much of the state with stronger southerly winds in western Iowa. Highs stayed in the low 80s with a few showers moving through northeastern Iowa by nighttime. Friday (21^st) dawned with temperatures in the 60s, light southerly winds and partly cloudy skies east and foggy conditions west. Conditions warmed into the mid 80s with higher dewpoints and more unstable air in eastern Iowa. A narrow line of thunderstorms, some severe warned, developed later in the afternoon. Several stations registered higher totals from 0.51 inch in Le Claire (Scott County) to 0.62 inch in Camanche (Clinton County). Fog was reported over northern Iowa on Saturday (22^nd) morning with morning temperatures ranging from the mid 50s northwest to mid 60s southeast. Winds swung back around northerly as a cold front cleared the state; daytime temperatures were in the upper 70s to low 80s north to south. Starry skies persisted into Sunday (23^rd) morning with lows in the 50s.

Weekly rain totals ranged from no measurable amounts at many stations to 2.45 inches in Thurman (Fremont County). The statewide weekly average rainfall was 0.24 inch, while the normal is 0.93 inch. Multiple stations reported the week’s high temperature of 89 degrees on the 17^th, 21^st and 22^nd, on average six degrees above normal. Spencer Municipal Airport (Clay County) reported the week’s low temperature of 47 degrees on the 23^rd, 11 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.

“Last week brought widespread rainfall across much of Iowa, including several rounds of thunderstorms and a derecho that developed in eastern Iowa before continuing across parts of the eastern Corn Belt,” Secretary Naig said. “Pleasant weather over the weekend brought out some great crowds for the Iowa State Fair. While there are some lingering chances for storms this week, fairgoers can expect plenty of sunshine and seasonal temperatures.”

Crop report

There were 3.3 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending Aug. 16, 2026. This is 1.8 days less than last year, when there were 5.1 days suitable for fieldwork. Topsoil moisture condition rated 4 percent very short, 15 percent short, 64 percent adequate, and 17 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 5 percent very short, 21 percent short, 63 percent adequate, and 11 percent surplus. Corn silking reached 99 percent, which is 1 percentage point ahead of last year. Eighty-three percent of Iowa’s corn crop has reached the dough stage, which is 6 percentage points ahead of last year. Twenty-six percent of corn reached the dent stage, which is 1 percentage point ahead of last year. Corn condition rated 78 percent good to excellent. Soybeans blooming reached 96 percent, which is on par with last year. Eighty-two percent of soybeans are setting pods, which is the same as last year. Soybean condition rated 78 percent good to excellent. Ninety-six percent of oats have been harvested, which is 6 percentage points ahead of last year. Pasture condition rated 67 percent good to excellent.

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

Weather summary

A large dome of high pressure over the southern United States set up a “Ring of Fire” pattern over Iowa. This atmospheric configuration channeled several waves of thunderstorms, some severe, through Iowa. Rainfall was widespread and well-above average over swaths of the state, leading to the wettest week of the growing season. Conditions were also unseasonably warm with a statewide average temperature of 76.7 degrees, 4.8 degrees above normal.

Thundershowers pushed out of eastern Iowa on Sunday (9^th) afternoon as skies cleared across western Iowa, where temperatures rose into the upper 70s and low 80s. Winds shifted to a northeasterly direction overnight into Monday (10^th) with morning lows varying from the upper 60s north to mid 70s south and patchy fog. Clouds developed over northern Iowa into the afternoon hours, holding daytime highs in the lower 80s; sunshine and southerly wind pushed temperatures into the upper 80s and low 90s farther south. A stationary front draped west to east over Iowa was a focusing mechanism for stronger storms that formed after midnight and expanded across northern Iowa into Tuesday (11^th) morning. Scattered cells consolidated in eastern Iowa, where a squall line developed as a rear-inflow jet began strengthening the mesoscale convective system (MCS). A wind gust of 75 mph in Independence (Buchanan County) was the beginning of what would later be classified as a derecho; the line pushed several hundred miles through the Ohio Valley and dissipated in Virginia. Along with very heavy rain and severe wind gusts in eastern Iowa, two EF-1 tornadoes spun up near Greeley (Delaware County), causing damage to vegetation and outbuildings. Many gauges in eastern Iowa reported at least 0.50 inch with nearly 50 stations at or above 1.00 inch; North Liberty (Johnson County) and Belle Plaine (Benton County) observed the highest totals of 2.33 and 2.48 inches, respectively. Another line of severe thunderstorms pushed into western Iowa by sunrise on Wednesday (12^th) taking a similar but more southerly path through the state. A secondary complex of strong thunderstorms formed in east-central Iowa and sped out of the state by the early afternoon as the disturbance farther west lost energy. Late day conditions were muggy with high dewpoints and temperatures in the upper 80s and low 90s in western Iowa along with ample instability.

A nearly mirror-image MCS with a broader precipitation shield accelerated into Iowa early on Thursday (13^th). The entire complex spanned much of the state with several severe and tornado-warned storms in western and central Iowa; no tornadoes were observed. The southern extent of the squall line dove into southeastern Iowa, producing strong wind gusts and isolated, torrential downpours. The systems exited the state by around noon with clearing conditions in Des Moines (Polk County) for the opening day of the Iowa State Fair. Rain totals for the preceding 36 hours were heaviest from central to western Iowa and then pockets in eastern Iowa; nearly 50 stations collected 2.00 or more inches with 3.05 inches in Gilbert (Story County) to 4.31 inches in Schleswig (Crawford County) and statewide average of 0.90 inch. Winds shifted easterly through the evening and nighttime hours with an ample atmospheric moisture supply for thunderstorms to reform along a surface boundary in west-central Iowa after midnight. Storms expanded west and east, producing multiple flash flood warnings due to heavy rainfall from training storms, as the complex expanded into northern Iowa. The heaviest rainfall dissipated by late Friday (14^th) morning with showers persisting through the day under overcast skies. Daytime temperatures were unseasonably cool, holding in the low to mid 70s across much of Iowa. In addition, 20 stations reported the heaviest totals at 7:00 am on Saturday (15^th) from 3.06 inches in Pella (Marion County), 5.01 inches in Norwalk (Warren County) to 5.31 inches in Wapello (Louisa County). Stations north and south of this swath had general totals of 0.50 to 1.00 inch with a statewide average of 1.03 inches. Showers persisted over southern Iowa before falling apart. Temperatures rose into the upper 70s and low 80s with variable winds and a low-level stratus deck. Scattered showers and a few thunderstorms formed ahead of a cold front transiting the state into the evening hours, with stronger storms in the southeast corner. Twenty-five southeastern stations observed the highest totals, from 1.84 inches in Mount Union (Henry County), 3.05 inches at Burlington (Des Moines County) to 3.49 inches in Fort Madison (Lee County). Sunday (16^th) dawned with foggy conditions, light northwesterly winds and morning temperatures in the upper 60s north to low 70s south.

Weekly rain totals ranged from 0.36 inch in New Market (Taylor County) to 9.45 inches in Wapello. The statewide weekly average rainfall was 2.60 inches, nearly triple the normal of 0.88 inch. Lamoni (Decatur County) reported the week’s high temperature of 95 degrees on the 11^th, nine degrees above normal. Greenfield (Adair County) reported the week’s low temperature of 48 degrees on the 12^th, 15 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.

“Widespread rain during the week and storms over the weekend brought welcome moisture to many parts of Iowa. Unfortunately, western and northwestern portions of the state did not receive enough rain to improve drought conditions. Severe thunderstorms also left behind tornado, wind, and hail damage for some communities and farms in eastern Iowa,” Secretary Naig said. “As excitement builds for the opening day of the Iowa State Fair, cooler temperatures and additional chances for showers will stick around for the first few days, while the forecast for the next week shows better chances of significant rainfall totals.”

Crop report

There were 5.1 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending Aug. 9, 2026. This is .4 days more than last year, when there were 4.7 days suitable for fieldwork. Topsoil moisture condition rated 7 percent very short, 21 percent short, 67 percent adequate, and 5 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 7 percent very short, 27 percent short, 62 percent adequate, and 4 percent surplus. Corn silking reached 97 percent, which is 2 percentage points ahead of last year. Sixty-nine percent of Iowa’s corn crop has reached the dough stage, which is 3 percentage points ahead of last year. Twelve percent of corn reached the dent stage, which is 2 percentage points behind last year. Corn condition rated 78 percent good to excellent. Soybeans blooming reached 93 percent, which is 1 percentage point ahead of last year. Seventy-two percent of soybeans were setting pods, which is 2 percentage points behind last year. Soybean condition rated 77 good to excellent. Ninety-three percent of oats have been harvested, which is 13 percentage points ahead of last year. Oats condition rated 82 percent good to excellent. Pasture condition rated 66 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

Several rounds of showers and thunderstorms brought well-above normal rainfall across portions of the state. All modes of severe weather were also reported, particularly in eastern Iowa. Cloud cover, rainfall and wildfire smoke held temperatures below to near-normal from west to east across Iowa; the statewide average temperature was 74.5 degrees, 0.4 degrees above normal.

Variable winds and mostly sunny skies prevailed through Sunday (2^nd) afternoon with highs in the lower 80s. Winds turned southerly into Monday (3^rd) morning with dense fog over portions of southern Iowa with lows in the 60s. Southerly winds increased throughout the day as a cold front approached from the west. Daytime temperatures held in the low 80s with passing clouds and some haze. Showers and a few thunderstorms moved into western Iowa after midnight and continued across the state through Tuesday (4^th). The front slowed as a low pressure center over Missouri intensified, shifting more moisture into southwestern Iowa. After midnight, two areas of moderate rainfall were found in the southeast corner along with more development farther west; this complex intensified as embedded thunderstorms became severe-warned with large hail and strong wind gusts. Under cloud cover and rainfall, morning lows on Wednesday (5^th) held in the mid to upper 60s with upper 50s over northern Iowa. Thunderstorms continued from central Iowa into the southeastern reaches of the state until the system fully exited by Wednesday (5^th) afternoon. Continuous rainfall over southern Iowa led to some flash flood warnings along with more than a month’s worth of rainfall; Seymour (Wayne County) collected 4.26 inches with 4.63 inches in Creston (Union County) and 5.72 inches in Murray (Clarke County). Over 150 stations observed at least 1.00 inch with more than 50 receiving at least double that amount and a statewide average of 0.96 inch. Light easterly winds developed overnight into Thursday (6^th) with widespread fog and temperatures from the low 50s northwest to upper 60s south east. Afternoon conditions were partly cloudy with pleasant temperatures in the mid to upper 70s and light southerly winds.

Friday (7^th) was an active severe weather day across the state with widespread fog and heavy dew starting the day as temperatures held in the mid to upper 60s. Ample low-level moisture and atmospheric instability ahead of a strong cold front were ideal ingredients for a complex of severe thunderstorms from north-central through eastern Iowa. The most significant event was a longer track EF-2 tornado near Fairbanks (Buchanan County) along with an EF-1 in Prairieburg (Linn County).  The remains of the complex lost energy and pushed out of southeast Iowa just before midnight. Rainfall totals reported at 7:00 am on Saturday (8^th) were highest from east-central to northeast Iowa; Mason City (Cerro Gordo County) observed 2.21 inches while Nashua (Floyd County) hit 2.24 inches. There were also a swath of stations into southeastern Iowa that had widespread totals from 0.75 to 1.00 inch. A warm front pushing north into Iowa was a focusing mechanism for additional thunderstorm development into Sunday (9^th) morning. A slow moving cell brought heavier downpours over Fort Dodge (Webster County) where four stations reported between 2.00 and 2.38 inches. A broad swath from north-central into southwest Iowa also received general totals in the 0.75-1.50 inch range. Morning temperatures were in the upper 60s northeast to upper 70s southwest.

Weekly rain totals ranged from 0.04 inch near Dubuque (Dubuque County) to 5.77 inches in Murray (Clarke County). The statewide weekly average rainfall was 1.87 inch; the normal is 0.88 inch. Des Moines International Airport (Polk County) reported the week’s high temperature of 91 degrees on the 9^th, seven degrees above normal. Spencer Municipal Airport (Clay County) reported the week’s low temperature of 47 degrees on the 8^th, 14 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.

“July will be remembered for its warm temperatures and high dew points, but it ended with widespread rainfall and a welcome break from the heat and humidity,” Secretary Naig said. “As we begin August and continue the ramp-up to the Iowa State Fair, the outlook calls for warmer conditions with better chances of rainfall. Crops on the western side of the state could use the moisture as the growing season continues.”

Crop report

There were 5.7  days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending Aug. 2, 2026. This is 1.9 days more than last year, when there were 3.8 days suitable for fieldwork. Topsoil moisture condition rated 10 percent very short, 25 percent short, 60 percent adequate, and 5 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 10 percent very short, 27 percent short, 58 percent adequate, and 5 percent surplus. Corn silking reached 93 percent, which is 2 percentage points ahead of last year. Forty-eight percent of Iowa’s corn crop has reached the dough stage, which is 2 percentage points behind last year. Four percent of corn reached the dent stage, which is 4 percentage points behind last year. Corn condition rated 80 percent good to excellent. Soybeans blooming reached 88 percent, which is unchanged from last year. Sixty-one percent of soybeans were setting pods, which is 2 percentage points behind last year. Soybean condition rated 78 percent good to excellent. Eighty-seven percent of oats have been harvested, which is 25 percentage points ahead of last year. Oats condition rated 82 percent good to excellent. Pasture condition rated 67 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

After a sweltering start to the week, cooler and wetter conditions returned at the end of the reporting period. Much of eastern Iowa observed above-normal rainfall. Temperatures returned to unseasonably warm for most of the reporting period with the high departures approaching six degrees; the statewide average temperature was 76.6 degrees, 3.6 degrees above normal.

Stations across Iowa reported anomalously high heat index values on Sunday (26^th) afternoon as air temperatures pushed into the mid to upper 90s with dew points in the upper 70s to mid 80s; numerous Iowa airports, which record hourly to sub-hourly observations, registered dew point records. Burlington Municipal Airport (Des Moines County) recorded an 85-degree dew point temperature with a high temperature of 92 degrees, producing a heat index value of 121 degrees; the airport in Ames (Story County) hit 124 degrees as air and dew point temperatures hit 92 degrees and 86 degrees, respectively. Overnight lows into Monday (27^th) remained well above average, holding in the upper 70s and low 80s at many stations; the statewide average low was 75 degrees, 12 degrees above normal under mostly clear skies and dense fog over northern Iowa. Winds gradually began to turn northwesterly as a cold front dropped southeast. Afternoon temperatures still pushed into the low to mid 90s, though dew points dropped into the 60s behind the front. Tuesday (28^th) dawned with light northerly winds and temperatures from the upper 60s northeast to mid 70s southwest under partly cloudy skies. While relative humidity values were lower, mid 80s to low 90s were observed east to west across the state with wildfire smoke producing upper level haze. Easterly winds built in through the late night hours and held into Wednesday (29^th) with upper 60s and low 70s reported in the morning. Daytime conditions were mostly sunny with temperatures in the 80s with some isolated thundershowers in the southwest towards the evening; New Market (Taylor County) and Sidney (Fremont County) observed 0.53 inch with lighter surrounding totals.

Conditions on Thursday (30^th) were seasonal with southeasterly winds and temperatures in upper 70s north to low 80s south. Clouds increased over the daylight hours as a low pressure system pushed through the Upper Midwest. Thunderstorms moved into western Iowa by midnight with a cluster of lighter showers farther east. Moderate showers expanded across much of Iowa’s eastern half by Friday (31^st) morning with heavier rainfall reported from northeast to eastern portions of the state. More than 75 stations collected at least 1.00 inch with the highest totals from Cedar Rapids (Linn County) where 2.51 inches was reported to 4.15 inches in Anamosa (Jones County). Additional mesoscale lines of thundershowers formed behind the disturbance as the low’s attendant cold front swept out of state as gusty northwesterly wind built in. Stars were visible across western Iowa into Saturday (1^st) morning with morning temperatures in the low to mid 60s. Cloud cover and moderate to heavy rain were still present in eastern Iowa, helping temperatures stay several degrees warmer. Showers persisted through the day along the Iowa-Illinois border, before dissipating as the low pressure system moved into the Great Lakes. Additional rainfall totals were significant at several eastern stations, ranging from 3.65 inches in Dubuque to 6.22 inches in Manchester (Delaware County); sixty-five stations registered at least 2.00 inches with a statewide average total of 0.90 inch. With clearing skies and temperatures in the upper 70s and low 80s, the remains of the day were pleasant and light northerly winds. Sunday (2^nd) morning began with patchy fog in northwest and east-central Iowa with mid 50s in western Iowa and low to mid 60s back in eastern Iowa.

Weekly rain totals ranged from 0.05 inch at Spirit Lake (Dickinson County) to 6.93 inches in Manchester (Delaware County). The statewide weekly average rainfall was 1.31 inch; the normal is 0.90 inch. Little Sioux (Harrison County) reported the week’s high temperature of 102 degrees on the 27^th, 16 degrees above normal; this is also Iowa’s warmest high temperature of the year thus far. Emmetsburg (Palo Alto County) reported the week’s low temperature of 52 degrees on the 28^th, 11 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.

“The week started with severe weather and ended with stifling temperatures and humidity. Thankfully, the high temperatures will break over the next few days with chances of thunderstorms returning,” Secretary Naig said. “As I’ve traveled across Iowa in recent weeks, I’ve generally seen strong crop conditions, though wind, hail and pockets of both excessive rainfall and persistent dryness have created some variability. Many areas could certainly use a good rain.” 

Crop report

There were 6 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending July 26, 2026. This is 2.4 days more than last year, when there were 3.6 days suitable for fieldwork. Topsoil moisture condition rated 9 percent very short, 27 percent short, 61 percent adequate, and 3 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 7 percent very short, 28 percent short, 62 percent adequate, and 3 percent surplus. Corn silking reached 87 percent, which is 6 percentage points ahead of last year. Twenty-eight percent of Iowa’s corn crop has reached the dough stage, which is 4 percentage points behind last year. Corn condition rated 80 percent good to excellent. Soybeans blooming reached 80 percent, which is 1 percentage point ahead of last year. Forty-eight percent of soybeans were setting pods, which is 1 percentage point behind last year. Soybean condition rated 78 percent good to excellent. Sixty-seven percent of oats have been harvested, which is 20 percentage points ahead of last year. Oats condition rated 82 percent good to excellent. Pasture condition rated 65 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

An active start to the week brought severe thunderstorms from central to eastern Iowa. The remainder of the reporting period was much less active with rainfall reported on a few days. Temperatures swung to below normal for much of the state with departure of up to three degrees below average; the statewide average temperature was 72.2 degrees, 1.3 degrees below normal.

Dense smoke from Ontario wildfires mixed down to the surface across eastern Iowa into Sunday (19^th) afternoon, creating air quality issues. Highs were also seasonal under the smoke with mid to upper 80s in western Iowa. A southerly shifting wind overnight into Monday (20^th) helped jack up air and dewpoint temperatures. A line of strong thunderstorms pushing across southeastern Minnesota dove into northwest Iowa by sunrise and continued through eastern Iowa through early afternoon. The line produced strong wind gusts, with a 70 mph reading in Lafayette (Linn County) along with torrential downpours that led to flash flooding across Muscatine and Scott counties. Two supercells rapidly formed over north-central Iowa a few hours later ahead of a strong cold front moving south into the state. Ahead of the front, ample instability was present along with temperatures in the low to mid 90s and dew points in the upper 70s. The supercells merged as they travelled southeast, intensifying as the line expanded over central Iowa. The complex split with the eastern branch moving over the same path as the morning mesoscale convective complex. The supercells moving down the I-35 corridor produced hail in the 2.00-3.00-inch diameter range along with two reports of tornadoes in Hamilton County, south of Webster City and near Kamrar. Wind gusts between 40-60 mph were also widespread as the line sped towards the Iowa-Missouri border. A weaker line of thunderstorms expanded west off the existing line into the southwest corner. The cold front exited the state just after daybreak with wind shifting to the north under clear skies and temperatures from 60s north to low 70s south. Rain totals were highest across central to south-central Iowa and in a separate swath in the northeast. More than half of Iowa’s reporting stations collected at least 1.00 inch with nearly 75 at 2.00 inches or above. Two stations in Ames (Story County) registered 3.93 to 3.95 inches while two stations in Ankeny (Polk County) observed 3.91 to 4.40 inches; while much of northwest Iowa remained dry, the overall statewide average was 1.14 inches.

Tuesday (21^st) was a pleasant day with reduced humidity, mostly sunny skies and temperatures in the upper 70s. Overnight lows into Wednesday (22^nd) ranged from the mid 50s north to low 60s south with light northerly winds. Daytime highs were unseasonably cool, holding in the low 70s statewide under somewhat cloudy skies. Thursday (23^rd) started chilly with morning lows well below normal; the statewide average low was 55 degrees, eight degrees cooler than normal. Temperatures warmed into the mid to upper 70s while cloud cover and light southerly winds persisted. Showers formed later in the evening over northwest Iowa and expanded farther south and east into early Friday (24^th) morning. Rain tapered off into the early afternoon hours, though overcast skies remained with temperatures holding in the 70s. Foggy conditions developed into Saturday (25^th) morning with unseasonably warm morning temperatures in the upper 60s to low 70s. Clear skies and southerly winds over western Iowa helped push temperatures into the low 90s while patchy clouds held temperatures in the 80s across the state. Iowans woke up to very muggy conditions on Sunday (26^th) with air and dew point temperatures in the 70s.

Weekly precipitation totals ranged from no measurable amounts at few of Iowa’s stations to 5.84 inches in Dallas Center (Dallas County). The statewide weekly average precipitation was 0.99 inch; the normal is 0.89 inch. Multiple stations reported the week’s high temperature of 101 degrees on the 20^th, on average 15 degrees above normal. Spencer Municipal Airport (Clay County) reported the week’s low temperature of 45 degrees on the 23^rd, 18 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.

“Rainfall was sparse last week, and temperatures were 5-10 degrees above average across the state, with the warmest conditions in eastern Iowa. In the warm, dry weather, corn continues to tassel while soybeans are blooming and setting pods. While the stretch of sunshine allowed farmers to make good progress baling hay and with other fieldwork, many areas of the state would benefit from rainfall as crops continue through critical stages of development,” said Secretary Naig. “There are a few chances of thunderstorms early this week followed by a shift to more seasonal temperatures. Outlooks through the end of July show warmer temperatures hanging on with some rain chances.”   

Crop report 

There were 6.7 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending July 19, 2026. This is 2.4 days more than last year, when there were 4.3 days suitable for fieldwork. Topsoil moisture condition rated 7 percent very short, 26 percent short, 63 percent adequate, and 4 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 5 percent very short, 27 percent short, 65 percent adequate, and 3 percent surplus. Corn silking in Iowa reached 72 percent, which is 14 percentage points ahead of last year. Eight percent of Iowa’s corn crop reached the dough stage, which is 8 percentage points behind last year. Corn condition rated 80 percent good to excellent. Soybeans blooming reached 70 percent, which is 3 percentage points ahead of last year. Soybeans setting pods reached 34 percent, which is 3 percentage points ahead of last year. Soybean condition rated 79 percent good to excellent. Oats headed reached 99 percent, which is unchanged from last year. Thirty-nine percent of oats have been harvested, which is 6 percentage points ahead of last year. Oats condition 83 percent good to excellent. Pasture condition rated 67 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

Unseasonably warm and dry conditions held across the state through the reporting period as moderate drought expanded in western Iowa. Rainfall deficits were between 0.50-1.00 inch below normal at most stations. Temperatures were warmest in eastern Iowa where positive departures approached 10 degrees; the statewide average temperature was 78.7 degrees, 5.1 degrees above normal.

Sunny skies persisted into Sunday (12^th) afternoon with daytime highs in the mid 80s and light winds. Monday (13^th) dawned with generally calm winds, clear skies and temperatures in the 60s. With a stable high pressure dome over the Midwest, winds turned southerly through the day as high temperatures pushed into the mid to upper 80s. Patchy fog was reported at various stations on Tuesday (14^th) morning as winds were generally light with clear skies and temperatures holding in the 60s. Afternoon highs returned to the mid to upper 80s with a few stations registering low 90s. Wednesday (15^th) saw partly cloudy skies in western Iowa with pockets of heavier dew and fog at many locations. Morning temperatures varied from the mid 60s northwest to low 70s southeast with calm to light northerly winds. Puffy cumulus became more widespread by the late afternoon hours, reflecting an environment becoming more favorable for upward motion; daytime temperatures rose into the upper 80s and low 90s. Clouds increased in western and northeast Iowa into Thursday (16^th) with early morning temperatures in the upper 60s and low 70s. Isolated thundershowers popped into the afternoon hours with additional cells forming after midnight in eastern Iowa. Rain totals were high from central to northeast Iowa with 0.21 inch in Ankeny (Polk County), 0.63 inch at Guttenberg Lock and Dam (Clayton County) and 1.08 inches in Cedar Rapids (Linn County).

Temperatures were well above normal on Friday (17^th) morning with the help of southerly winds boosting readings into the low to mid 70s. Scattered showers formed in eastern Iowa into the late afternoon and evening hours; four stations in Scott County collected more than half an inch with totals ranging from 0.62 to 0.93 inch from Davenport to Riverdale. Many stations reported measurable totals, though under 0.10 inch. An isolated line formed over northeast Iowa after midnight leaving behind 0.60 inch in Elkader (Clayton County) and 0.40 inch in Fayette (Fayette County). Winds shifted to a northerly direction through Saturday (18^th) as a cold front dropped south across the state. Temperatures varied from the low 80s north to mid 90s south, where a scattered line of thunderstorms fired along the surface boundary. Ottumwa (Wapello County) reported 0.22 inch with 0.21 inch in Oskaloosa (Mahaska County) and 0.10 inch in Council Bluffs (Pottawattamie County). Morning lows over northern Iowa were seasonal on Sunday (19^th), dropping into the low 60s. Upper level wildfire smoke also filtered into eastern Iowa as the heat dome began eroding.

Weekly rain totals ranged from no measurable amounts at many stations to 1.35 inches in Davenport. The statewide weekly average precipitation was 0.06 inch; the normal is 0.93 inch. Dubuque Lock and Dam (Dubuque County) reported the week’s high temperature of 96 degrees on the 18^th, 11 degrees above normal. Little Sioux (Harrison County) and Spencer Municipal Airport (Clay County) reported the week’s low temperature of 55 degrees on the 19^th, on average eight degrees below normal.