From the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship

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.

“Summer heat is arriving just in time to give crops a good boost,” Secretary Naig said. “Weather outlooks into the second half of June, when farmers are completing important field applications and baling hay, indicate warmer temperatures and better chances of showers and thunderstorms.”

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

Crop report

Warm and drier weather throughout the State allowed Iowa farmers 4.8 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending June 9, 2024, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Planting and replanting of corn and soybeans and spraying were limited due to wet field conditions.

Topsoil moisture condition rated 0 percent very short, 5 percent short, 78 percent adequate and 17 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 1 percent very short, 9 percent short, 77 percent adequate and 13 percent surplus. 

Corn planting is nearly complete with 89 percent emerged, 9 days behind last year and 2 days behind the 5-year average. Corn condition rated at 73 percent good to excellent. Ninety-two percent of the expected soybean crop has been planted, equal to the 5-year average. Seventy-five percent of the soybean crop has emerged, 9 days behind last year and 1 day behind the average. Soybean condition rated 73 percent good to excellent. Emergence of the oat crop is nearly complete with 59 percent headed, 8 days ahead of the average. Oat condition rated to 81 percent good to excellent.

Seventy percent of the State’s first cutting of alfalfa hay has been completed, 1 week behind last year. Hay condition rated 81 percent good to excellent. Pasture condition rated 76 percent good to excellent. 

Weather summary

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

The first full reporting period of June saw less thunderstorm activity with below-normal rainfall across most of Iowa; only pockets of central and northern Iowa received above-normal totals. Temperatures were up to three degrees above normal.

Sunday (2nd) morning showers in western Iowa dissipated as they moved east into drier air. Afternoon conditions were breezy with a southerly wind pushing temperatures through the upper 70s and low 80s. Isolated thunderstorms fired in northwestern Iowa just before midnight and spread over northern Iowa into Monday (3rd); Estherville (Emmet County) collected 2.10 inches with many northwest stations reporting 0.25 to 0.75 inch of rainfall. Additional thunderstorms formed in eastern Iowa into the afternoon hours with some sluggish cells producing localized flooding. Five stations in Dubuque County registered totals ranging from 2.00 inches in Dubuque to 2.83 inches at Asbury. Daytime temperatures were in the mid to upper 80s across the western two-thirds of Iowa and in the 70s in northeast Iowa under clouds. Skies cleared overnight into Tuesday (4th) with unseasonably warm morning lows in the upper 60s with isolated low 70s from central to eastern Iowa. A strong cold front produced several severe warned thunderstorms in the afternoon as a more consolidated line developed through the evening hours. The system cleared eastern Iowa by daybreak on Wednesday (5th). More than 50 stations reported at least an inch of rainfall with heavier amounts in central and north-central Iowa; Algona (Kossuth County) measured 2.52 inches with two Dallas County locations, Waukee and Clive, registering 2.88 inches and 3.44 inches, respectively. Most stations received at least 0.30 inch with a statewide average of 0.49 inch. Westerly winds built in behind the front along with temperatures in the upper 70s and low 80s under clear skies. Isolated thundershowers formed northwest and sped to the southeast into the evening with widespread totals under 0.10 inch.

Stars were visible Thursday (6th) morning with persisting westerly winds and lows in the upper 50s and low 60s. The daylight hours were pleasant with gusty northwesterly winds and spotty clouds here and there. Temperatures varied from the low 70s northeast to low 80s southwest. Calmer conditions developed overnight with variable winds and temperatures in the 50s west to low 60s east at 7:00 am on Friday (7th). Light showers pushed into northern Iowa as strong northwesterly flow produced a complex of fast-moving thunderstorms that grazed the southwest corner of Iowa. More showers formed farther east with the highest rain totals north; Osage (Mitchell County) and Stanley (Buchanan County) observed 0.40 inch with totals tapering off to the south. Heavier showers persisted in northeastern Iowa through Saturday (8th) morning with Waterloo Municipal Airport (Black Hawk County) reporting a 0.48-inch total. Winds shifted to a northerly direction with daytime highs in the mid 60s east to upper 70s west under mostly sunny skies. Spotty rain showers moved across western Iowa, though totals were generally light. Overnight lows into Sunday (9th) held in the 50s with calm to variable, light winds under mostly clear skies.

Weekly precipitation totals ranged from 0.01 inch at several stations to 3.45 inches in Clive (Dallas County). The statewide weekly average precipitation was 0.70 inch while the normal is 1.18 inches. Pocahontas (Pocahontas County) and Shenandoah (Page County) reported the week’s high temperature of 90 degrees on the 3rd and 8th, respectively, on average 10 degrees above normal. Stanley reported the week’s low temperature of 45 degrees on the 9th, 12 degrees below normal.

From the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship

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.

“May 2024 will go into the history books as one of the top 10 wettest Mays on record, which helped to break our long-running drought. Unfortunately, it will also be remembered for producing destructive severe weather and frustrating planting delays,” said Secretary Naig. “As we head into the three warmest months of the year and the heart of the growing season, some farmers are still finishing up planting within parts of the state. Farmers are also turning cattle out to pasture and working to complete other field work, including baling hay and applying crop protection products.”

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

Crop report

Scattered showers throughout the State allowed Iowa farmers 3.8 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending June 2, 2024, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Reports of standing water in fields were received from throughout the State. Planting and replanting of corn and soybeans were reported.

Topsoil moisture condition rated 0 percent very short, 3 percent short, 75 percent adequate and 22 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 1 percent very short, 7 percent short, 77 percent adequate and 15 percent surplus.

Ninety-three percent of the expected corn crop has been planted, almost 2 weeks behind last year and 5 days behind the 5-year average. Corn emerged reached 81 percent, 6 days behind last year. Corn condition rated 73 percent good to excellent. Eighty-four percent of the expected soybean crop has been planted, 12 days behind last year but equal to the average. Sixty percent of the soybean crop has emerged, 1 week behind last year and 2 days behind the 5-year average. The first soybean condition rating of the season was 1 percent very poor, 4 percent poor, 22 percent fair, 59 percent good, and 14 percent excellent. Ninety-seven percent of the oat crop has emerged with 40 percent headed, 6 days ahead of last year and almost 2 weeks ahead of the average. Oat condition rated 82 percent good to excellent.

Forty percent of the State’s first cutting of alfalfa hay has been completed, 6 days behind last year. Hay condition rated 79 percent good to excellent. Pasture condition improved to 75 percent good to excellent. Wet conditions affecting livestock are now a concern.

Weather Summary

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

For the first time in several weeks, the final reporting period of May had below average rainfall across much of Iowa; only pockets of northwest and eastern Iowa observed unseasonably wet conditions. Temperatures varied from cooler than average east to near-normal across the state’s western half; the statewide average temperature was 64.4 degrees, 0.6 degree below normal.

A low pressure disturbance spun showers across northeastern Iowa on Sunday (26th) afternoon with additional isolated thunderstorms popping up in the southwest into the evening. Daytime temperatures varied from the mid 50s at some northeast stations to upper 70s southwest. Winds shifted northerly as the system pushed east with general rain totals in the 0.25- to 0.75-inch range across Iowa’s northeast quadrant; higher, but more localized amounts varied from 1.02 inches in McGregor (Clayton County) to 1.42 inches in Lansing (Allamakee County). Memorial Day (27th) started with mostly clear skies and temperatures in the low to mid 50s. Additional scattered thunderstorms fired with the heat of the day and propagated southeast through the evening hours. Rain totals were generally under 0.20 inch where it fell with pockets of heavier totals in eastern Iowa; Monticello (Jones County) collected 1.32 inches with 1.44 inches in Bedford (Taylor County). A weak cold front dropped south across Iowa into Tuesday (28th) leading to showers and light accumulations over several daytime hours. Conditions were pleasant with a northerly wind and temperatures in the mid 60s north to upper 70s southwest. Starry skies greeted the overnight hours into Wednesday (29th) with variable winds and widespread morning lows in the upper 40s and low 50s. With high pressure dominating the Upper Midwest, mostly sunny conditions persisted as daytime temperatures held in the low to mid 70s.

Thursday (30th) started unseasonably warm with lows in the mid to upper 60s. Clouds increased in western Iowa as a line of showers pushed over the Nebraska border. Showers lingered in southwestern Iowa before consolidating with another thin line into the afternoon hours. Many stations in the western quarter of Iowa collected at least 0.25 inch with stations near College Springs (Page County) and Lake Park (Dickinson) observing 1.06 to 1.51 inches, respectively. A secondary disturbance brought light rain to eastern Iowa overnight into Friday (31st) as a low pressure system approached the state from the west. Highs pushed into the low 80s in eastern Iowa with cooler temperatures west where showers and thunderstorms developed and then covered much of western Iowa through the remainder of the day. Stronger thunderstorms dropped heavier rain across northwest counties with Ringsted (Emmett County) hitting 1.00 inch and Orange City (Sioux County) observing 4.12 inches; widespread totals of 0.30 to 0.50 inch were found farther south and east. Light showers continued in eastern Iowa through Saturday (1st) morning with clouds clearing east to west into the afternoon. Highs were seasonal over much of the state, though low 60s were found in eastern Iowa. Foggy conditions developed at many eastern stations towards daybreak with morning lows in the mid 50 to low 60s.

Weekly precipitation totals ranged from 0.03 inch in Pella (Marion County) to 4.35 inches in Orange City. The statewide weekly average precipitation was 0.74 inch while the normal is 1.08 inches. Des Moines International Airport (Polk County) reported the week’s high temperature of 83 degrees on the 2nd, five degrees above average. Multiple stations reported the week’s low temperature of 42 degrees on the 29th, on average ten degrees below normal.

Special to the Times Vedette

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.

“Our hearts go out to all the Iowans and communities who have been affected by the recent rounds of devastating severe weather. The outpouring of support for those affected highlights the remarkable strength of our state and its people. Iowans are resilient and we will get through this together,” said Secretary Naig. “Planting progresses as conditions allow, but many farmers continue to face delays. Outlooks into the first week of June show elevated chances of warmer temperatures and near-normal rainfall chances, which hopefully will lead to conditions more favorable for field work.”

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

Crop report

Severe weather including heavy rains, tornadoes, and derecho conditions limited Iowa farmers to 2.3 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending May 26, 2024, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Planting corn and soybeans, and cutting hay was limited. Topsoil moisture condition rated 0 percent very short, 3 percent short, 71 percent adequate and 26 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 2 percent very short, 9 percent short, 72 percent adequate and 17 percent surplus. Corn planted reached 88 percent. Sixty-six percent of the corn crop has emerged. The first corn condition rating of the season was 1 percent very poor, 4 percent poor, 22 percent fair, 54 good and 19 percent excellent. Seventy-three percent of Iowa’s expected soybean crop has been planted, 10 days behind last year and 3 days behind the normal. Soybeans emerged reached 42 percent, 5 days behind last year. Ninety-five percent of the expected oat crop has emerged. Oats headed reached 31 percent, 6 days ahead of last year and almost 2 weeks ahead of the average. Oat condition improved 5 percentage points to 81 percent good to excellent. Alfalfa hay reached 20 percent complete. Hay condition rated 78 percent good to excellent.  Pasture condition rated 72 percent good to excellent. Reports of flooded fields were received throughout the State. 

Weather summary

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

Iowans experienced one of the most active reporting periods in recent memory with nearly 30 tornadoes, a late week derecho and anomalously wet conditions; many northeastern stations reported at least 350% of normal rainfall. Temperatures were near-normal west to six degrees above normal east; the statewide average temperature was 64.9 degrees, 2.0 degrees above normal.

Scattered strong thunderstorms rumbled across the state into Sunday (19th) afternoon and evening with a more organized line forming in eastern Iowa towards midnight. Thunderstorms persisted through late morning on Monday (20th) with temperatures in the low 50s northwest to mid 60s southeast. Event rain totals were highest across a southwest to northeast swath with 18 central to south-central stations receiving at least 2.00 inches; Osceola (Clarke County) observed 2.80 inches while 2.95 inches was reported in Sully (Jasper County). Widespread 0.50-1.00-inch totals were also reported with a statewide average of 0.67 inch. Thunderstorms fired across northern and western Iowa along a warm front after sunset with several storms becoming severe and tornado warned. Thunderstorms became more widespread into Tuesday (21st) morning as an initial squall line sped east and into Wisconsin by noon. Clearing skies in western Iowa along with anomalously high atmospheric instability and wind shear produced explosive convection near the Iowa-Nebraska border. A rare “Particularly Dangerous Situation” Tornado Watch was issued for most of Iowa as supercells became tornado-warned almost immediately. There were several reports of multi-vortex tornadoes in southwest Iowa with Greenfield (Adair County) taking a direct hit from a higher-end EF-4; sadly, there were 35 injuries and five fatalities. The long-track supercells sped at nearly 40 mph into central Iowa where additional tornadoes formed between Des Moines (Polk County) and Nevada (Story County). As the line evolved, widespread reports of severe straight-line winds continued into eastern Iowa along with moderate to heavy rainfall and some hail. Over the preceding 36 hours, 140 stations reported over 2.00 inches with remarkable totals in the 4.00 to 6.00 inch-range in central to western Iowa; Polk City (Polk County) registered 4.01 inches with a 6.14-inch total at Missouri Valley (Harrison County) and a statewide average of 1.57 inches.

Clouds cleared from west to east into Wednesday (22nd) morning with temperatures rising into the low 70s during the afternoon hours. Winds shift southerly overnight into Thursday (23rd) with skies remaining mostly sunny through the daytime, though clouds increased into the nighttime hours as a power disturbance approached from the west. An intense squall line racing out of Nebraska spawned at least 18 tornadoes as it plowed across Iowa into Friday (24th) morning. The line bowed out in the center as a rear-inflow jet strengthened straight-line winds along the length of the line. Hail and heavy rain were also reported across the length of squall. With numerous wind gusts at or above 58 mph along the path length of at least 400 miles, the event was categorized as a derecho. Thunderstorms continued to fire through the afternoon hours before dissipating around sunset. Skies cleared as winds became variable and temperatures dropped into the upper 40s and low 50s. Event rain totals at 7:00 am on Saturday (25th) were highest in eastern Iowa with nearly 100 stations receiving at least an inch with 20 approaching 2.00 inches; Dubuque (Dubuque County) measured 1.50 inches while Chariton (Lucas County) hit 1.96 inches. Afternoon conditions were pleasant with southerly winds and highs in the low to mid 70s. Another disturbance pushed into Iowa on Sunday (26th) morning bringing isolated severe-warned thunderstorms and additional heavy rain, especially in northeast Iowa; many of the stations received totals between 0.75-1.50 inches. Skies cleared in western Iowa where morning lows were in the upper 50s and low 60s. 

Weekly precipitation totals ranged from 0.75 inch at Keokuk Lock and Dam (Jones County) to 8.63 inches in Vining (Tama County). The statewide weekly average precipitation was 3.41 inches; more than triple the normal of 1.10 inches. Davenport Municipal Airport (Scott County) reported the week’s high temperature of 91 degrees on the 21st, 17 degrees above average. Elkader (Clayton County) and Stanley (Buchanan County) reported the week’s low temperature of 41 degrees on the 25th, on average nine degrees below normal. Four-inch soil temperatures were in the 60s as of Sunday.

Special to the Times Vedette

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.

“In pockets around the state, some farmers were able to resume or even finish planting as fields dried out from warmer and windier conditions,” said Secretary Naig. “However, showers and thunderstorms prevented many from making much progress. An active weather pattern, along with stronger thunderstorms, is expected to continue this week and may bring more frustrating planting delays.”

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

Crop report

Scattered showers across Iowa allowed farmers 3.8 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending May 19, 2024, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Farmers were planting corn and soybeans as well as cutting hay. Some replanting has occurred due to drowned out areas in fields.

Topsoil moisture condition rated 1 percent very short, 6 percent short, 77 percent adequate and 16 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 4 percent very short, 14 percent short, 73 percent adequate and 9 percent surplus.

Seventy-eight percent of Iowa’s expected corn crop has been planted, 8 days behind last year and 4 days behind the 5-year average. Forty-seven percent of the corn crop has emerged, 2 days behind of last year but equal to normal. Sixty-one percent of Iowa’s expected soybean crop has been planted, a week behind last year and 2 days behind the normal. Nearly one-quarter of the soybean crop has emerged, 3 days behind last year but equal to the average. Ninety-one percent of the expected oat crop has emerged, 5 days ahead of normal. Seventeen percent of the oat crop has headed, 6 days ahead of last year and almost 2 weeks ahead of the average. Oat condition remained 76 percent good to excellent.

Ten percent of the State’s first cutting of alfalfa hay has been completed. Hay condition rated 78 percent good to excellent. Pasture condition improved to 72 percent good to excellent. Reports of cleaning out bins and hauling grain to town.

Weather summary

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

While rainfall was widespread across the state through the reporting period, a less active storm track produced drier than average conditions over most of Iowa. Unseasonable warmth continued as well with positive departures of nearly six degrees in small pockets of east-central and northern Iowa; the statewide average temperature was 64.7 degrees, 3.2 degrees above normal.

Spotty showers and a few thunderstorms popped up over northern Iowa later Sunday (12th) afternoon with daytime highs in the 80s and gusty southwesterly winds. A larger complex of showers associated with a low pressure center spinning over northern Missouri filled in overnight into Monday (13th) morning. Two areas of rainfall persisted in southwest and eastern Iowa before redevelopment occurred over southern Iowa into the afternoon hours. Much of northern Iowa was clear with Canadian wildfire smoke drifting in on northerly winds; temperatures were in the low 70s under sunshine and up to 15 degrees cooler south where clouds and rain persisted. Heavier, slow-moving thundershowers were also reported in central Iowa with two Indianola (Warren County) stations collecting 3.20 inches. Showers eventually dissipated as the disturbance propagated east, though overcast skies remained on the backside of the system. Tuesday (14th) morning lows varied from the mid 40s northwest to low 60s southeast with widespread event rain totals of at least 0.50 inch across Iowa’s southern one-third. Nearly 60 stations in south-central and southwestern Iowa measured an inch or more; New Market (Taylor County) observed 2.02 inches while 3.02 inches fell in Russell (Lucas County) with an overall statewide average of 0.46 inch. Winds shifted to the east during the day with mostly clear skies in western and northern Iowa; temperatures held in the mid to upper 60s in eastern Iowa where cloud cover remained.

Early Wednesday (15th) temperatures dropped into the upper 40s northeast while 50s were reported farther west with areas of fog. A southerly shifting wind and overall sunny skies lent to pleasant conditions as temperatures rose into the low to mid 70s. Clouds increased in western Iowa as showers and thunderstorms developed along a cold front into the evening. Rainfall was reported across Iowa’s northwestern half as a drier atmosphere helped dissipate showers in eastern Iowa. Totals reported at 7 a.m. on Thursday (16th) were generally under 0.20-0.30 inch though embedded pockets of heavier totals were also observed; a 0.78-inch measurement was taken at Emmetsburg (Palo Alto County) with 1.45 inches in Blencoe (Harrison County). Westerly winds held through the day with afternoon highs in the 70s under mostly sunny skies. Clearing skies remained overnight as winds became light, allowing for scattered pockets of fog to form. Friday (17th) was unseasonably warm with strong southerly winds boosting highs into the mid to upper 80s northwest with low to mid 80s farther east. Overnight temperatures, in the 60s, were 10-15 degrees above normal as spotty clouds transited across central Iowa. Saturday (18th) was the warmest day of the week with widespread mid to upper 80s along with a few 90-degree readings; the statewide average high was 85 degrees, 12 degrees above normal. Spotty thundershowers formed along a weak cold front that was pushing through eastern Iowa into the evening hours; winds swung around to the north behind the boundary. Sunday (19th) morning lows ranged from the low 50s north to low 60s south.

Weekly rain totals ranged from 0.02 inch in Monticello (Jones County) to 3.25 inches in Promise City (Wayne County). The statewide weekly average rainfall was 0.65 inch; the normal is 1.10 inches. Several stations reported the week’s high temperature of 90 degrees on the 18th, on average 17 degrees above average. Decorah (Winneshiek County) reported the week’s low temperature of 34 degrees on the 15th, 14 degrees below normal. Four-inch soil temperatures were in the 60s as of Sunday.

Special to the Times Vedette

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.

“Planters continue to be parked across much of the state. Widespread wet conditions last week have delayed planting progress and it’s certainly weighing on the minds of farmers,” said Secretary Naig. “We need sunshine and light breeze to get back into the field. Although chances of thunderstorms remain in the forecast, conditions are trending warmer and quieter mid to late week. Once the conditions are right, farmers will get back to planting.”

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

Crop report

Rain across Iowa early in the week held farmers to just 1.7 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending May 12, 2024, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Iowa farmers reported planting corn, soybeans, and applying pesticides late in the week.

Topsoil moisture condition rated 1 percent very short, 7 percent short, 71 percent adequate and 21 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 4 percent very short, 17 percent short, 67 percent adequate and 12 percent surplus.

Fifty-seven percent of Iowa’s expected corn crop has been planted, 1 week behind last year and 5 days behind the 5-year average. Twenty-six percent of the corn crop has emerged. Iowa’s farmers have planted 39 percent of Iowa’s expected soybean crop, 1 week behind last year and 4 days behind the normal. Thirteen percent of the soybean crop has emerged. Ninety-eight percent of the expected oat crop has been planted while emergence reached 81 percent, 2 days ahead of last year and 5 days ahead of the 5-year average. There were reports of oats headed in isolated areas of the State. 

Hay condition rated 77 percent good to excellent. There were a few reports of producers beginning their first cutting of hay. Pasture condition rated 67 percent good to excellent. Cattle feedlots were muddy due to rain received over the past four-week period.

Weather summary 

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

For the fourth consecutive reporting period, Iowa observed unseasonably wet conditions with positive departures in the 1.00-3.00-inch range across the state’s northern half. Temperatures were also warmer than the 30-year climatology with the warmest readings approaching four degrees; the statewide average temperature was 60.6 degrees, 2.0 degrees above normal.

Sunday (5th) afternoon conditions were pleasant with mostly sunny skies and temperatures in the mid to upper 60s. Clouds increased across southern Iowa into Monday (6th) with lows ranging from the upper 40s north to upper 50s south. A southerly shifting wind brought warmer and more humid air into the state in advance of a strong low pressure system spinning over the Dakotas. Instability increased as a warm front pushed north over southwestern Iowa, providing atmospheric energy for the low’s attendant cold front to fire a long line of strong thunderstorms; the complex entered western Iowa during the evening hours with multiple severe thunderstorm and tornado warnings into central Iowa. Two EF-1 tornadoes spun up near Glenwood (Mills County) and at multiple locations in Pottawattamie County along with straight line wind reports. Moderate to heavy rain also fell as the line advanced rapidly to the east along with additional high wind reports. Rain totals reported at 7:00 am on Tuesday (7th) were highest in southwestern Iowa though nearly 140 stations across the state’s western half picked up at least an inch. Forest City (Winnebago County) registered 2.04 inches while 2.60 inches was observed in Corning (Adams County); the statewide average was 0.85 inch with totals generally under 0.75 inch in eastern Iowa. Gusty southwesterly winds developed behind the system with partly cloudy skies and daytime highs in the upper 60s and low 70s. Isolated thunderstorms formed over central Iowa into the evening hours before dissipating as they pushed east. Wednesday (8th) dawned with variable winds and low temperatures generally in the 50s. Daytime skies were partly to mostly cloudy south with temperatures reaching into the upper 70s and low 80s. Another low spinning over the Upper Midwest fired thunderstorms, a few producing hail and strong winds, across northwest and then central Iowa through the evening before the storms overspread northern Iowa after midnight.

Thursday (9th) morning rain totals highlighted a pocket of 1.00-2.00-inch readings across several counties in central to north-central Iowa. Algona (Kossuth County) observed 1.58 inches, Iowa Falls (Hardin County) hit 1.80 inches with 1.92 inches in Mason City (Cerro Gordo County); much of northern Iowa received at least 0.25 inch with a statewide average of 0.44 inch. Showers persisted in eastern Iowa through the day with some embedded thunderstorms, one of which spun up a brief land spout near Charles City (Floyd County) along with 2.01 inches of rain. Northwesterly winds held with temperatures varying from the low 70s southwest to mid 50s northeast where rain was present. Several stations in Black Hawk County observed over an inch of rain with many stations reporting 0.20 to 0.40 inch. Clear skies and light winds allowed fog to form near daybreak on Friday (10th). As the disturbance pushed east, mostly sunny skies and gusty westerly winds built in with highs in the 70s. Clear skies persisted through Saturday (11th) with mid to upper 70s returning in the afternoon. Winds swung around to a southern direction into Sunday (12th) morning with pockets of cloud cover in northeastern Iowa and low temperatures dropping into the 50s.

Weekly precipitation totals ranged from 0.25 inch at Columbus Junction (Louisa County) to 3.67 inches in Sanborn (O’Brien County) and near Waterloo (Black Hawk County). The statewide weekly average precipitation was 1.51 inches, while the normal is 1.00 inch. Davenport Municipal Airport (Scott County) reported the week’s high temperature of 83 degrees on the 8th, 13 degrees above average. Marshalltown (Marshall County) reported the week’s low temperature of 33 degrees on the 6th, 11 degrees below normal. Four-inch soil temperatures were in the low to mid 60s statewide as of Sunday.

From the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship

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 are feeling anxious as the multiple rounds of rain produced soggy conditions that have not been fit for planting progress,” said Secretary Naig. “We need a stretch of sunshine and dry weather so that farmers can get back in the field.”

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

Crop report

Fieldwork activities were limited as rain across the State held Iowa farmers to just 1.4 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending May 5, 2024, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Rains the past two weeks have resulted in reports of some counties moving out of the extreme to severe drought stages.

Topsoil moisture condition rated 4 percent very short, 12 percent short, 65 percent adequate and 19 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 7 percent very short, 20 percent short, 64 percent adequate and 9 percent surplus.

Just 8 percent of Iowa’s expected corn crop was planted during the week ending May 5, 2024, for a total of 47 percent planted. This meant progress went from ahead of average to lagging 2 days behind both last year and the 5-year average. Seven percent of the corn crop has emerged, 3 days ahead of last year and 1 day ahead of the average. Soybean planting progress fell behind the previous year with 5 percent of Iowa’s expected soybean crop planted during the week ending May 5, 2024, for a total of 30 percent of the expected soybean crop planted, 2 days behind last year. Four percent of the soybean crop has emerged. Ninety-six percent of the expected oat crop has been planted, 2 days ahead of last year and 10 days ahead of normal. Oat emergence reached 68 percent, 5 days ahead of last year and 1 week ahead of the 5-year average. The first oat condition rating of the season was 1 percent very poor, 2 percent poor, 29 percent fair, 59 percent good and 9 percent excellent.

The first hay condition rating of the season was 1 percent very poor, 3 percent poor, 21 percent fair, 64 percent good and 11 percent excellent. Pasture condition rated 57 percent good to excellent. There were many reports of cattle being turned out to pasture.

Weather summary

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

Unseasonably wet conditions continued through the reporting period with several disturbances crossing the state. Rain on already saturated ground produced flooding in pockets of northern and southeastern Iowa. Temperatures varied from cooler than average in northwestern Iowa to unseasonably warm southeast; the statewide average temperature was near normal at 55.0 degrees.

Showers remained in eastern Iowa with additional redevelopment in western Iowa ahead of a low-pressure center through Sunday (28th) afternoon. Daytime temperatures reached into the upper 60s where cloud cover was sparse with light southerly winds. As the low propagated towards the Great Lakes, winds shifted westerly with Monday (29th) morning lows ranging from the low 40s northwest to upper 50s southeast. Widespread rain totals were reported at 7:00 am with the highest amounts in pockets of northwest and northeast Iowa; Dyersville (Dubuque County) measured 1.01 inches while Storm Lake (Buena Vista County) collected 1.21 inches with a statewide average of 0.35 inch. Overcast skies persisted north through the day with highs in the 50s, while southern Iowa was 10-15 degrees warmer under mostly sunny conditions. Winds became variable after midnight as starry skies reigned ahead of another approaching strong low-pressure system. Initial Tuesday (30th) morning showers fizzled in eastern Iowa as a warm front lifted across southern Iowa, pumping in moisture and increasing atmospheric instability. Discrete supercells fired rapidly along the cold front near the Iowa-Nebraska line around 3:00 pm; these storms tracked east-northeast and became severe-warned almost immediately. Reports of large hail and isolated straight-line winds followed the consolidating line east with 2.00-inch hail in Massena (Cass County) and a weak tornado near Millerton (Wayne County). The cold front exited eastern Iowa overnight into Wednesday (1st) as skies cleared ahead of another weather disturbance to the west. Event rain totals across western Iowa were in the 0.50-0.75-inch range at many stations with lesser amounts farther east. Showers with some rumbles of thunder increased through the late afternoon and evening hours with temperatures in the upper 50s northwest to upper 60s southeast.

Showers and thunderstorms overspread the state into Thursday (2nd) bringing widespread, moderate rainfall to much of Iowa. Rain continued across eastern Iowa through the afternoon hours with stubborn showers holding over the southeast corner where flood warnings were issued. Northwesterly winds ushered in cooler temperatures behind the system as dense fog developed from southwest to north-central Iowa. Rain totals reported on Friday (3rd) morning for the last 36 hours showed almost 200 stations receiving at least the weekly climatological average, which is just shy of an inch. Nearly 30 stations had 2.00 inches or more with 2.10 inches in Sigourney (Keokuk County) to 4.10 inches in Centerville (Appanoose County); the statewide average was 0.98 inch. Daytime conditions were pleasant with winds gradually shifting southerly and upper 60s and low 70s. Yet another low-pressure center entered western Iowa early Saturday (4th) morning with thunderstorms forming a narrow line along the attendant cold front. Rain totals were highest across west-central to north-central Iowa where amounts were in the 0.75-1.00 range; many of the state’s remaining stations collected 0.20-0.50 inch. Skies gradually cleared west to east through the afternoon and evening as highs held in the upper 50s. Variable winds developed into Sunday (5th) with lows generally in the upper 30s and low 40s.

Weekly precipitation totals ranged from 0.31 inch at Muscatine (Muscatine County) to 4.53 inches in Forest City (Winnebago County). The statewide weekly average precipitation was 2.23 inches, more than double the normal of 0.93 inch. Shenandoah (Page County) reported the week’s high temperature of 83 degrees on the 30th, 15 degrees above average. Forest City and Storm Lake reported the week’s low temperature of 32 degrees on the 5th, on average 12 degrees below normal. Four-inch soil temperatures ranged from the mid 50s northwest to low 60s southeast as of Sunday.