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.

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 the wettest week of the growing season for much of the state, the weather settled into a warmer, drier pattern, which could continue for the next seven to ten days. Soil moisture reserves and timely rainfalls will be needed to support the corn crop as it enters the critical tasseling and pollination period,” Secretary Naig said. “As county fair season continues across Iowa, I encourage everyone to get out and support these great community events while celebrating the achievements of our outstanding 4-H and FFA youth exhibitors.”

Crop report

There were 5.4 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending July 12, 2026. This is 1.6 days more than last year, when there were 3.8 days suitable for fieldwork. Topsoil moisture condition rated 1 percent very short, 14 percent short, 73 percent adequate, and 12 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 3 percent very short, 18 percent short, 69 percent adequate, and 10 percent surplus. Corn silking in Iowa reached 38 percent, which is 5 percentage points ahead of last year. One percent of Iowa’s corn crop reached the dough stage, which is 4 percentage points behind last year. Corn condition rated 78 percent good to excellent. Soybeans blooming reached 56 percent, which is 5 percentage points ahead of last year. Soybeans setting pods reached 16 percent, which is 1 percentage point behind last year. Soybean condition rated 74 percent good to excellent. Oats headed reached 98 percent, which is 2 percentage points ahead of last year. Eight percent of oats have been harvested, which is 10 percentage points behind last year. Oats condition rated 81 percent good to excellent. 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

Thunderstorm activity across the state was much tamer than in recent weeks with unseasonably dry conditions over much of Iowa. Only stations in north-central Iowa reported positive departures in the range of 2.00-4.00 inches. Temperatures remained warmer than average, though moderated from last week; the statewide average temperature was 77.4 degrees, 2.4 degrees above normal.

Poor air quality gradually improved through Sunday (5^th) afternoon as variable, light winds increased under mostly sunny skies and temperatures in the low to mid 80s. Spotty thundershowers formed in eastern Iowa towards the evening hours, leaving behind 0.21 inch of rain in Ottumwa (Wapello County) and 0.23 inch in Nashua (Floyd County). Patchy fog was reported from western to southeastern Iowa around sunrise on Monday (6^th) with morning temperatures in the upper 60s and low 70s. Daytime conditions were mostly sunny with highs in the mid 80s with southerly to easterly shifting winds west to east across the state. A cluster of storms pushed into north-central Iowa in the hours before sunrise on Tuesday (7^th), though the complex quickly dissipated. Totals were very isolated with only a handful of stations observing rainfall; Estherville (Emmet County) registered 1.07 inches to 1.20 inches in Swea City (Kossuth County). Partly sunny skies developed into the afternoon with temperatures in the mid to upper 80s and light winds. Clouds hung around into Wednesday (8^th) as winds shifted to a southerly direction. Showers and thunderstorms skirted the Iowa-Minnesota border during the morning hours as southerly flow pumped low-level moisture into the Upper Midwest. Afternoon temperatures returned to the 80s with dew points pushing into the 70s. A surface front moved into the unstable airmass over the evening hours, firing a line of strong thunderstorms in northeastern Iowa with broken segments in western to central Iowa; several 60-mph wind gusts were observed. The line consolidated as it moved southeast with additional development in west-central Iowa. The complex fell apart by 7:00 am on Thursday (9^th), with the highest amounts occurring across central and northeastern Iowa. Rainfall totaled 2.33 inches in Ames (Story County), while totals at three gauges in Osage (Mitchell County) ranged from 3.32 to 4.79 inches. A swath extending from east-central to western Iowa also registered 0.75–1.25 inches of rainfall.

Afternoon temperatures were seasonal in the low 80s, with lower relative humidity and mostly cloudy skies. Scattered thundershowers developed over eastern Iowa and persisted into Friday (10^th) morning. Additional showers moved through southern Iowa as a low pressure center pushed through northern Missouri. Atmospheric conditions in the afternoon hours were conducive to funnel clouds across northern and eastern Iowa; a brief touchdown was reported near Swaledale (Cerro Gordo County). Thunderstorms continued to pop up over southern Iowa after midnight before moving off as the disturbance traveled east. South-central and southeastern stations reported the most rainfall with 1.40 inches in Murray (Clarke County) and 2.46 inches in Ottumwa. Most stations reporting rainfall had at least a few tenths of an inch. Saturday (11^th) was a pleasant, sunshine-filled day with highs in the low to mid 80s and light easterly winds. Starry skies held into Sunday (12^th) morning with temperatures in the mid to upper 60s and patchy fog.

Weekly precipitation totals ranged from no measurable amounts at multiple eastern and northern stations to 4.88 inches in Osage. The statewide weekly average precipitation was 0.66 inch; the normal is 0.97 inch. Lamoni (Decatur County) reported the week’s high temperature of 93 degrees on the 8^th, six degrees above normal. Greenfield (Adair County) reported the week’s low temperature of 53 degrees on the 11^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.

“Late last week, parts of central Iowa received 8-11 inches of rain in just 36 hours, more than twice the rainfall typically expected during the entire month of July. There have been widespread reports of flooded fields and basements, swollen streams and rivers, and impacts to roads and other infrastructure. Our hearts go out to the lowans and communities affected by the flooding as recovery efforts continue,” Secretary Naig said. “At the same time, other areas of the state, including drought-affected portions of northwest and north-central Iowa, received much-needed rainfall. Looking ahead, the forecast calls for additional chances of thunderstorms across much of the state through midweek, with warmer and drier conditions expected through mid-July.”

Crop report

Farmers had 4.2 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending July 5, 2026. This is 0.6 days less than last year, when there were 4.8 days suitable for fieldwork. Topsoil moisture condition rated 1 percent very short, 10 percent short, 71 percent adequate and 18 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 3 percent very short, 16 percent short, 65 percent adequate and 16 percent surplus. Corn silking in Iowa reached 8 percent, which is 5 percentage points behind last year. Corn condition rated 78 percent good to excellent.

Soybeans blooming reached 37 percent, which is 3 percentage points ahead of last year.

Soybeans setting pods reached 3 percent, which is 5 percentage points behind last year.

Soybean condition rated 74 percent good to excellent. Oats headed reached 96 percent, which is 3 percentage points ahead of last year. Oats condition rated 82 percent good to excellent. Pasture condition rated 73 percent good to excellent.

Weather summary

A “Ring of Fire” pattern around the periphery of the persisting heat dome brought several days of active weather with thunderstorms delivering significant rain totals to northwest, central and northeast Iowa. Some stations reported nearly 250 percent of normal, which represents more than two months’ worth of rainfall over just 36 hours. Unseasonably warm temperatures held on with the warmest conditions in eastern Iowa; the statewide average temperature was 79.0 degrees, 6.0 degrees above normal.

A line of severe thunderstorms sped across northern Iowa before dissipating over the state’s far eastern extent during Sunday (28^th) afternoon. Britt (Hancock County) experienced a 58-mph wind gust while 2-inch hail was reported in Delmar (Clinton County). A wide swath of north-central to northeast Iowa collected at least 1.00 inch with 2.85 inches in Nashua (Floyd County). Starry skies were visible into Monday (29^th) with southerly winds, high dew points and air temperatures on the mid to upper 70s. Winds became gusty by the afternoon hours as temperatures rose into the upper 80s and low 90s. A line of stronger thunderstorms moved into northwest Iowa after sunset, bringing strong wind gusts and heavy downpours.

Fostoria (Dickinson County) observed a wind gust of 75 miles per hour while Ireton (Sioux County) reported 1.45 inches of rain. Several stations in the northwest registered 0.75 to 1.25 inches with lesser totals farther east. Afternoon conditions were similar to the previous day with winds shifting slightly to the southwest. Stronger storms redeveloped after midnight on Tuesday (30^th) along the Iowa-Nebraska border and pushed into the northwest corner. More showers fanned out across the state’s northwestern one-third through the day as instability built up. Initial isolated thunderstorms fired during the late evening hours with some cells becoming severe warned; a short-lived weak tornado was spotted by a chaser near Stacyville (Mitchell County). Thunderstorms continued across northern Iowa into Wednesday (1^st) with morning temperatures holding in the 70s.

A more compact line of severe thunderstorms moved into northeastern Iowa into the early afternoon hours, bringing 3.5-inch hail to Maynard (Fayette County) along with a few high wind reports. Additional thunderstorms blossomed over central Iowa along existing outflow boundaries into the evening hours, feeding off ample atmospheric water vapor. Thunderstorms overspread much of the state on Thursday (2^nd) with concentrated, slow moving cells training over the same locations and saturating soil profiles. As the complex slowly dissipated, streams and rivers became inundated with runoff with stations collecting more than a month’s worth of rainfall. Nearly 200 stations had at least 2 inches with 42 over 3 inches. The highest totals were found from Nevada (Story County) which reported 6.50 inches to two Polk City (Polk County) gauges that registered 8.90 to 9.41 inches; the statewide average rainfall over the 24-hour period was 1.30 inches. 

Friday (3^rd) morning was generally quiet with patchy fog over northern Iowa and cloud cover east. Temperatures held in the upper 60s and low 70s with light and variable winds.

Winds shifted northerly later in the day as a weak cold front dropped through the state.

Daytime highs were more comfortable, reaching into the low 80s with less surface humidity.

Anomalous mid-level moisture was an ample source for thunderstorms to reform in southwest and southeast Iowa toward sunset. Storms filled in across central Iowa into the early morning hours of Saturday (4^th), producing moderate to heavy rain over soaked landscapes.

Story County became the bullseye for the heaviest amounts with five stations in Ames measuring between 4.20 to 6.36 inches. Nearly 120 stations hit 1.00 inch with 43 stations at 2.00 inches and a statewide average of 0.83 inch. Iowans celebrating the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence had to dodge scattered thunderstorms over northern and eastern Iowa toward dusk. Fireworks, no wind and higher dew points led to air quality issues into Sunday (5^th). Rainfall totals were generally under a few tenths of an inch, though Le Claire (Scott County) reported 1.02 inches with 1.86 inches in Clarence (Cedar County).

Weekly precipitation totals ranged from no measurable amounts at multiple southern stations to 10.99 inches in Polk City (Polk County). The statewide weekly average precipitation was 2.53 inches; more than double the normal 1.10 inches. Little Sioux (Harrison County) and Sioux City Airport (Woodbury County) reported the week’s high temperature of 97 degrees on the 28th and 29th, respectively, on average 12 degrees above normal. Sanborn (O’Brien County) reported the week’s low temperature of 56 degrees on the 5th, six degrees below normal.