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.

“It was another active weather week as a line of storms pushed through central and southeast Iowa last Wednesday, with strong winds leaving behind pockets of property and crop damage. The week ended with widespread and steady rainfall across Iowa,” Secretary Naig said. “Looking ahead, cooler temperatures are likely through the end of the week. Outlooks show warmer temperatures will likely return as we get closer to the 4th of July. The crops would benefit from some sun and warmer weather as we enter the heart of the growing season.” 

Crop report

Farmers had 4.5 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending June 21, 2026, which is 0.2 more days than last year. Topsoil moisture condition rated 2 percent very short, 16 percent short, 60 percent adequate, and 22 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 2 percent very short, 21 percent short, 60 percent adequate, and 17 percent surplus.

Corn emerged reached 99 percent, which is unchanged from last year. Corn condition rated 77 percent good to excellent. Soybeans emerged reached 98 percent, which is 2 percentage points ahead of last year. Soybeans blooming reached 3 percent, which is 9 percentage points behind last year. Soybean condition rated 74 percent good to excellent. Oats headed reached 87 percent, which is 8 percentage points ahead of last year. Oats condition rated 83 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

A less active pattern compared to previous weeks brought one day of severe weather and then widespread, spring-like rainfall by the end of the week. Rainfall totals were highest over southeast Iowa. A shift to cooler temperatures also greeted Iowans with negative departures approaching seven degrees; the statewide average temperature was 67.8 degrees, 4.3 degrees below normal.

Chilly northwesterly winds and stratocumulus clouds slowly gave way to pleasant conditions through Sunday (14^th) afternoon. Temperatures pushed into the upper 60s and low 70s as winds became gustier under mostly sunny skies. Winds died down and turned westerly overnight into Monday (15^th) under starry conditions and morning lows in the 50s. Daytime temperatures were near-seasonal, warming into the upper 70s with spotty cloud cover. Showers and a few thunderstorms pushed across the state from the evening to overnight hours as a weak cold front swept southeast. Most stations that had measurable totals observed less than 0.10 inch, though West Point (Lee County) registered 0.17 inch. Winds swung back around to the northwest, becoming gusty into Tuesday (16^th) afternoon with clouds clearing in eastern Iowa and temperatures in the mid to upper 70s. Winds turned southerly towards midnight as a strong low pressure disturbance propagated along the Iowa-Minnesota border towards sunrise. Initial thunderstorms in northwest Iowa coalesced into a line along the low’s attendant cold front and quickly strengthened over north-central Iowa. As a strong rear-inflow jet pushed into the center of the line, the squall bowed out and intensified. Heavy rain and severe wind gusts were reported along the path from 64 mph near Storm Lake (Buena Vista County) to 75 mph in Walford (Linn County); the strongest gust of 94 mph was observed near Marshalltown (Marshall County), producing crop and structural damage. The line increased in aerial extent in southeastern Iowa where widespread flash flood warnings were issued. The complex exited eastern Iowa around noon on Wednesday (17^th). Additional severe thunderstorms fired in northeastern Iowa by the late afternoon hours, producing a longer track EF-2 rated tornado in Elon (Allamakee County) which crossed the Mississippi River into Wisconsin. A swath of stations from north-central to eastern Iowa reported higher totals with nearly 130 stations hitting at least 1.00 inch; more than 25 stations picked up more than 2.00 inches with 2.55 inches in Ely (Linn County) to 2.95 inches in Story City (Story County). Notably, four stations in Muscatine County reported totals from 3.25-4.33 inches.

Thursday (18^th) dawned with clouds north and clear skies south with morning lows in the upper 50s to low 60s. Cloud cover increased over the state with afternoon temperatures holding in the mid 70s. Clear skies persisted into Friday (19^th) with calm winds and morning temperatures in the low 50s north to low 60s south. Scattered showers crossed the state through the daytime hours as another cold front moved through Iowa. Behind the front, temperatures were in the low 60s while upper 70s were found in southeast Iowa. Rain totals reported at 7:00 am on Saturday (20^th) were generally light, though airports in Ames (Story County) and Waterloo (Black Hawk County) registered 0.23 inch and 0.41 inch, respectively. Afternoon conditions were pleasant with ample sunshine and highs in the mid to upper 70s. Clouds increased over southwestern Iowa around sunset as moderate showers spun into the state. Showers overspread southern Iowa into Sunday (21^st) where most southwest stations collected between 0.75 to 1.50 inches; Council Bluffs (Pottawattamie County) received between 2.98 to 3.09 inches at two stations.

Weekly precipitation totals ranged from a trace near Carroll (Carroll County) to 4.41 inches in Muscatine (Muscatine County). The statewide weekly average precipitation was 1.66 inches; the normal is 1.20 inches. Lamoni (Decatur County) reported the week’s high temperature of 89 degrees on the 17^th, five degrees above normal. Airports in Sioux City (Woodbury County) and Spencer (Clay County) reported the week’s low temperature of 43 degrees on the 15^th, on average 16 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.

“Several rounds of severe thunderstorms, including a derecho that crossed parts of Iowa into Illinois last Wednesday, caused damage to crops, farms, homes and communities, particularly across southern and eastern Iowa. Heavy rainfall also flooded some fields and created challenging conditions for farmers, with some crop damage and stress being reported,” Secretary Naig said. “Our thoughts are with those affected as recovery efforts continue. Additional thunderstorms are forecast over the next several days, with severe weather possible again on Wednesday.” 

Crop report

Farmers had 3.6 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending June 14, 2026, which is 1.9 days less than last year. Topsoil moisture condition rated 1 percent very short, 14 percent short, 66 percent adequate, and 19 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 2 percent very short, 15 percent short, 70 percent adequate, and 13 percent surplus.

Corn emerged reached 97 percent, 1 percentage point ahead of last year. Corn condition rated 79 percent good to excellent. Soybean planting reached 98 percent complete, which is 1 percentage point behind last year. Soybeans emerged reached 95 percent, which is 3 percentage points ahead of last year. Soybean condition rated 77 percent good to excellent. Oats headed reached 78 percent, which is 11 percentage points ahead of last year. Oats condition rated 83 percent good to excellent. Pasture condition rated 77 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 pattern over Iowa brought multiple waves of severe weather, including a derecho and tornadoes. Heavy rain across portions of the state also produced localized flooding and unseasonably high rainfall totals. Temperatures remained above average with departures in the four to six degree range; the statewide average temperature was 73.2 degrees, 4.2 degrees above normal.

A low pressure system moving through eastern Iowa continued to bring showers and a few thunderstorms across eastern Iowa into Sunday (7^th) afternoon. Scattered showers also brought measurable but lower totals over western Iowa. Most stations in eastern Iowa reported at least 0.50 inch with the highest totals from 2.00 inches in Iowa City (Johnson County) to 3.56 inches in Elma (Howard County). Southeasterly winds, overcast conditions and temperatures in the low 70s persisted on Monday (8^th) morning with showers lingering in eastern Iowa. Skies cleared across western Iowa into the afternoon hours with clouds and light rain hanging on in eastern Iowa. Daytime highs varied from the upper 80s west where sunshine was present to mid 70s east. Rain totals reported at 7:00 am on Tuesday (9^th) were highest in east-central Iowa where 2.20 inches were observed in Parnell (Iowa County) and 3.03 inches in Vinton (Benton County). Daytime conditions were mostly sunny with gusty southerly winds and temperatures in the mid 80s to low 90s; dewpoints in the upper 60s and low 70s pushed heat index values into the low 100s.

A low pressure center pushing northeast into Minnesota fired strong thunderstorms along the cold front over northwest Iowa into the morning hours on Wednesday (10^th). A secondary complex of thunderstorms formed ahead of the surface boundary where moisture, lift and instability were ample. The thunderstorms coalesced into a squall line as they approached the Iowa-Illinois border. Widespread wind gusts above 58 mph were observed as the line pushed across Illinois and farther east; this line would later meet the criteria for a derecho. Several hours later, the cold front slammed into an unstable airmass and quickly fired severe thunderstorms from south-central to eastern Iowa. Several weak tornadoes were observed in Decatur and Davis counties along with large hail and strong wind gusts. A second low pressure disturbance followed the wake of the previous day’s activity, as rapidly developing thunderstorms intensified into a tornado-warned line in southwest Iowa by daybreak on Thursday (11^th). Several tornadoes were spawned along with co-located straight-line wind gusts and isolated large hail; Essex (Page County) measured a 90-mph wind gust while large grain bins were crumpled and thrown off their footings near Villisca (Page County). Nearly 45 stations from southern to eastern Iowa registered at least 2.00 inches with the highest totals of 4.15 inches in Davis City (Decatur County) to 6.63 inches in Russell (Lucas County); the statewide average rainfall was 0.90 inch.

As the squall line approached eastern Iowa, it began to bow out, producing numerous straight-line wind reports. Winds turned northwesterly behind the passing system, with the atmosphere over southeastern Iowa recovering from morning convection, again becoming highly unstable. Strong southeasterly winds were aided with low-level wind shear as thunderstorms reformed into the afternoon hours. One additional tornado, “needle-like” in appearance, was observed near Ainsworth (Washington County). The line lost some strength as it moved out of Iowa before sunset. Rain totals registered on Friday (12^th) showed almost 140 stations hitting at least 1.00 inch. Stations farther east experienced the highest amounts with 2.50 inches in Fayette (Fayette County) and 2.85 inches in Monticello (Jones County). The daytime hours were pleasant as temperatures rose into the upper 70s and lower 80s with sunshine and westerly winds. Another round of showers and thunderstorms along a cold front moved through Saturday (13^th) with many stations over the state’s southwest half collecting amounts in the 0.25-0.75 inch range. Sunday (14^th) dawned with lows in the upper 50s and low 60s with gusty northwesterly winds and fair weather cumulus over northern Iowa.   

Weekly precipitation totals ranged 0.04 inch at Spencer Municipal Airport (Clay County) to 7.44 inches in Russell. The statewide weekly average precipitation was 2.37 inches; the normal is 1.27 inches. Several stations reported the week’s high temperature of 95 degrees on the 9^th, on average 15 degrees above normal. Cherokee (Cherokee County) and Spencer Municipal Airport reported the week’s low temperature of 47 degrees on the 14^th, on average 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.

“Showers and thunderstorms late last week delivered relief to drier areas, particularly across southern and eastern Iowa,” Secretary Naig said. “Forecasts call for a warm-up this week, with temperatures climbing into the 90s. Farmers looking to make progress on the first-cutting of hay and completing other field work will have to deal with several more chances of showers and thunderstorms throughout the week.”

Crop report

There were 4.9 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending June 7, 2026, which is 0.2 days more than last year, when there were 4.7 days suitable for fieldwork. Topsoil moisture condition rated 5 percent very short, 19 percent short, 67 percent adequate, and 9 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 5 percent very short, 21 percent short, 67 percent adequate, and 7 percent surplus.

Corn planting in Iowa reached 98 percent complete, which is 1 percentage point behind last year. Corn emerged reached 92 percent, 1 percentage point ahead of last year. Corn condition rated 84 percent good to excellent. Soybean planting reached 97 percent complete, which is unchanged from last year. Soybeans emerged reached 86 percent, which is 1 percentage point behind last year. Soybean condition rated 80 percent good to excellent. Oats emerged reached 99 percent, which is 1 percentage point ahead of last year. Oats condition rated 84 percent good to excellent. Pasture condition rated 74 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

June began with unseasonably wet conditions across a southwest to northeast swath of Iowa. Beneficial rains fell after the 35^th driest May in 154 years of statewide records. Unseasonable warmth persisted with the highest departures from central to western Iowa; the statewide average temperature was 72.8 degrees, 5.9 degrees above normal.

Light rain was reported into Sunday (31^st) afternoon from central to northeast Iowa. Stronger thunderstorms fired along the state’s western border after sunset. There were a handful of reports of large hail and straight-line winds, causing some isolated tree damage. Locally heavy rainfall was also reported at multiple stations with 1.00 inch in Persia (Harrison County) to 2.16 inches in Bedford (Taylor County). Monday (1^st) dawned with morning lows in the 60s, mostly clear skies and light winds generally out of the east. Afternoon temperatures rose into the upper 80s in west-central Iowa which helped fuel isolated thunderstorms that produced some large hail. While rainfall was concentrated over a smaller area, Perry (Dallas County) collected 0.61 inch while two stations in Jefferson (Green County) registered 0.80 to 1.12 inches. Winds held easterly into Tuesday (2^nd) with morning temperatures in the upper 50s southeast to mid 60s northwest with a few passing clouds in central Iowa. Daytime conditions were pleasant, as highs reached into the upper 70s and low 80s with low relative humidity and ample sunshine. Winds swung to the south overnight into Wednesday (3^rd) becoming gusty by the afternoon hours across southern Iowa. Afternoon conditions were mostly clear except for clouds pushing into southwestern Iowa and statewide temperatures in the low 80s.

Clouds increased over western Iowa through the early morning hours on Thursday (4^th) as a low pressure center pushed along the Iowa-Minnesota border. As the attendant cold front swept across the state through the daytime hours, a line of showers and thunderstorms consolidated as it moved into central Iowa. Some embedded cells produced moderate to heavy rainfall as the line advanced into eastern Iowa. More than 130 stations reported at least an inch with nearly 30 collecting at least two inches. The highest totals were found from central to northeast Iowa; Story City (Story County) observed 2.50 inches with two Buchanan County stations, Independence and Winthrop registering 3.52 and 4.00 inches, respectively. Northwestern and southeastern stations reported measurable totals, though generally in the 0.25-0.50 inch range with an overall statewide average of 0.84 inch. Friday (5^th) began with foggy conditions over much of the state due to overnight rainfall, light winds and ample low-level humidity. Morning temperatures varied from the mid 60s northwest to low 70s southeast. Skies remained mostly cloudy through the day with southwesterly winds and temperatures in the low 80s. Slow-moving thunderstorms fired over southern Iowa during the evening hours after ample heating and in the presence of anomalous atmospheric water vapor availability. Several cells became tornado warned, though no touchdowns were reported. Very heavy rain fell across Lucas County, where flooded basements and washed-out roads were reported. Williamson observed 3.40 inches with 4.09 inches in Chariton and 4.62 inches in Russell.  Conditions stabilized into Saturday (6^th) morning with clear skies and light, variable winds. Ideal weather persisted throughout the day with temperatures warming into the 80s. Light showers spun into southern Iowa by daybreak on Sunday (7^th) with unseasonably warm morning temperatures in the low 70s statewide.

Weekly precipitation totals ranged 0.03 inch in Sac City (Sac County) to 5.52 inches in Russell (Lucas County). The statewide weekly average precipitation was 1.17 inch; the normal is 1.18 inches. Several stations reported the week’s high temperature of 93 degrees on the 6^th, on average 15 degrees above normal. Elkader (Clayton County) reported the week’s low temperature of 41 degrees on the 3^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.

“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.