Released by the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service

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

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

Crop report

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

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

Weather summary

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

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

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

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

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

Released by the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service

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

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

Crop report 

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

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

Weather summary

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

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

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

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

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

Released by the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service

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

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

Crop report 

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

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

Weather summary

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

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

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

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

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

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. 

“As I travel the state, farmers confirm that they’re feeling the pressure from the tough ag economy, with high input costs and low commodity prices. Despite these challenges, spring represents a time of hope, optimism, and the potential for a productive season ahead,” Secretary Naig said. “Widespread rain and thunderstorms brought much-needed moisture as we wrapped up Iowa Ag Week and headed into the first week of April. Rain chances are expected to continue through the first half of April, which may delay fieldwork for some but will help replenish soil moisture after a particularly warm and dry winter.”  

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

Crop report

There were 2.9 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending April 5, 2026, which is 0.4 days less than last year. Corn and soybean planting in Iowa reached 0% complete for the week ending April 5, 2026, which is unchanged from last year. Topsoil moisture conditions across Iowa were rated 4 percent very short, 19 percent short, 63 percent adequate, and 14 percent surplus for the week ending April 5, 2026.

Weather summary

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

The first reporting period of the season was unseasonably warm and wet as an active storm track brought several rounds of showers and thunderstorms, some severe, across Iowa. Temperatures were generally several degrees above average with the warmest conditions over southern Iowa; the statewide average temperature was 48.0 degrees, 4.4 degrees above normal.

Gusty southerly winds helped boost Sunday (29th) afternoon highs into the upper 60s and low 70s with generally clear conditions. Overnight lows at sunrise on Monday (30th) held in the upper 30s northwest to mid 50s southeast. Daytime conditions were well above average with temperatures from the mid 80s to low 90s with blustery winds out of the south; the statewide average temperature was 84 degrees, 30 degrees above normal. Scattered thunderstorms formed from central to eastern Iowa through the evening hours, bringing locally heavy rain, vivid lightning, and small hail. Cedar Rapids (Linn County) reported 0.71 inch, while 1.52 inches were observed in Dallas Center (Dallas County). Tuesday (31ˢᵗ) morning thunderstorms moved out of eastern Iowa as a cold front passed through the state. Wind speeds increased and shifted to a northerly direction, with afternoon conditions varying from the 50s in the north to the upper 60s in the south under mostly sunny skies. Showers moved into southern Iowa after midnight on Wednesday (1ˢᵗ), followed by a brief lull into the late morning hours. Winds also shifted to an easterly direction as a large-scale low-pressure system approached the state. Moderate rainfall became more widespread through the nighttime hours and overnight, with nearly 120 stations observing at least one inch. The highest totals were found across northwest, central and southeastern Iowa; Le Mars (Plymouth County) collected 1.50 inches, Ames (Story County) recorded 1.87 inches, and Earlville (Delaware County) recorded 1.95 inches; the statewide average was 0.86 inch, over 130% of the normal weekly total.

Thursday (2nd) was an active severe weather day for portions of southern and eastern Iowa as a warm front became a focusing mechanism for severe thunderstorms. Afternoon temperatures pushed into the low 70s with dew points in the mid 60s, providing enough instability for all modes of severe weather. Three-inch diameter hail was reported in Martinsburg (Keokuk County) along with an EF-1 tornado with winds approaching 105 mph near Welton (Clinton County). Moderate to heavy rainfall was again reported at many stations with the highest totals in north-central, northeast and a swath of southeast Iowa: New Hampton (Chickasaw County) registered 1.01 inches while Wellman (Washington County) observed 1.57 inches; the statewide average was 0.70 inch. Winds swung back to northerly as the cold front crossed Iowa with morning lows on Friday (3rd) near freezing north to the low 40s south. Another low pressure center moved across the Iowa-Missouri border through the day, producing some morning thundershowers and then some stronger storms in the southwest, ahead of the low’s triple-point. Large hail was observed in southwestern Iowa, but the ingredients for a bigger severe weather outbreak did not come together. Thunderstorms streamed into northern and eastern Iowa as another cold front swept through Iowa. Rainfall totals reported at 7 a.m. on Saturday (4th) were exceedingly high within a west-central to northern swath with 1.98 inches in Boone (Boone County) to 4.60 inches in Decorah (Winneshiek County); more than 70 stations observed at least an inch. Afternoon conditions were chilly with a brisk westerly wind and highs in the low 40s under cloud cover. Sunday (5th) dawned with most stations in the upper 20s and low 30s.

Weekly precipitation totals ranged from 0.55 inch in Rock Rapids (Lyon County) to 6.43 inches in Decorah. The statewide weekly average precipitation was 2.31 inches; the normal is 0.65 inch. Clarinda (Page County) reported the week’s high temperature of 91 degrees on the 30th, 33 degrees above normal. Sioux City (Woodbury County) reported the week’s low temperature of 24 degrees on the 30th, six degrees.

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.

“Iowa farmers once again delivered a significant corn and soybean crop in 2025, even with challenges like variable weather, disease pressures and an ag economy marked by low prices and high input costs. Strong production requires strong markets, and we will continue working to build and diversify demand at home, across the country and around the world,” Secretary Naig said. “As we gather this week with our family and friends, I invite everyone to pause for a moment and give thanks for Iowa’s hardworking farm families who produce the delicious Thanksgiving meals on our tables.”

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

Crop report

Mostly dry conditions and above normal temperatures allowed for 5.2 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending Nov. 23, 2025, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Field activities were fertilizer and manure applications as well as fall tillage.

Topsoil moisture condition rated 4 percent very short, 27 percent short, 67 percent adequate and 2 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 4 percent very short, 27 percent short, 66 percent adequate and 3 percent surplus.

Corn harvested for grain is virtually complete at 99 percent complete.

Weather summary

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

Unseasonable warmth persisted through the final reporting period of the season with temperatures approaching eight degrees above normal in northwestern Iowa; the statewide average temperature was 43.8 degrees, 6.1 degrees above normal. Most Iowa stations reported measurable rainfall with locations across northern Iowa registering slightly above average wetness.

Cloud cover dotted the skies over western Iowa through Sunday (16ᵗʰ) afternoon with light, variable winds and temperatures in the mid 40s north to low 50s south. Monday (17ᵗʰ) dawned with light easterly winds and clear skies over most of the state, with morning temperatures holding in the upper 30s and low 40s. Southeasterly winds became gusty through the daytime hours as a low pressure center moved from Kansas into Missouri. Rain showers formed ahead of the system across western Iowa into the evening hours as spotty thundershowers popped up in north-central Iowa. Showers increased in coverage over much of Iowa’s northern two-thirds into Tuesday (18ᵗʰ) morning, with moderate rainfall observed in northern and eastern Iowa. Dewitt (Clinton County) observed 0.75 inch, with 1.00 inch in Webster City (Hamilton County) and 1.03 inches in Fort Dodge (Webster County). Widespread totals south and west were in the 0.20–0.50 inch range, with less than a tenth of an inch over southern Iowa. Overcast conditions continued through the rest of the day, with highs varying from the upper 30s over northern Iowa to low 50s along the Iowa-Missouri border.

Winds shifted back to an easterly direction overnight into Wednesday (19ᵗʰ), with extremely dense fog observed statewide at sunrise. Morning lows did not retreat appreciably from the previous day’s temperatures, aided by thick stratus above the fog bank. With increased surface heating from the rising sun, low-level atmospheric mixing helped dissipate the fog through the afternoon hours, though redevelopment occurred into the evening. Daytime conditions remained cloudy, with temperatures in the 40s and light southerly winds. Foggy conditions returned on Thursday (20ᵗʰ) morning, with temperatures in the mid to upper 30s west to mid 40s east. Afternoon conditions remained cloudy across the state, with fog lingering and temperatures four to six degrees warmer than the morning minimums. Stars were finally visible over northern Iowa into Friday (21ᵗʰ), where temperatures dropped into the upper 20s and low 30s with light northerly winds; farther south, stubborn cloud cover persisted. Spotty showers developed across southern Iowa through the day as a surface boundary lifted north from Missouri. Rain totals were generally light, from 0.20 inch in Numa (Appanoose County) to 0.26 inch in Randolph (Fremont County). Morning conditions were overcast and foggy in northeastern Iowa on Saturday (22ⁿᵈ), with fog extending into south-central Iowa under clear skies. Overall temperatures were in the upper 20s and low 30s but warmed into the mid 50s to low 60s by the afternoon hours with gusty westerly winds prior to sunset. Clear skies were reported at sunrise on Sunday (23ʳᵈ), with patchy frozen fog and lows ranging from the mid 20s in northwest Iowa to low 30s farther southeast.

Weekly precipitation totals ranged from no accumulation at multiple stations in southern and northwest Iowa to 1.03 inches in Fort Dodge. The statewide weekly average precipitation was 0.20 inch, while the normal is 0.43 inch. Multiple stations reported the week’s high temperature of 59 degrees on the 17ᵗʰ, on average 12 degrees above normal. Several stations recorded the week’s low temperature of 22 degrees on the 22nd and 23rd, on average two 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.

“Combines are rolling all across Iowa,” Secretary Naig said. “The warm and dry weather is allowing farmers to make good progress on corn and soybean harvest. With the favorable weather expected to hold through next week, farmers should be able to continue making harvest headway, though conditions may be a bit dusty. As we get a little further into the start of October, outlooks are indicating a possible shift back to more chances of widespread rain.”

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

Crop report

Dry conditions allowed 6.2 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending September 28, 2025, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. The warm temperatures also quickly advanced crop maturity. Fieldwork included harvesting corn and soybeans. 

Topsoil moisture condition rated 5 percent very short, 22 percent short, 65 percent adequate and 8 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition was 3 percent very short, 20 percent short, 70 percent adequate and 7 percent surplus. 

Nearly all the corn was dented or beyond. Eighty percent of corn has matured, 4 days ahead of last year and 1 day ahead of the five-year average. The corn for grain harvest was 15 percent complete, 4 days ahead of last year and 3 days ahead of average. Moisture content of field corn being harvested for grain was 20 percent. Corn condition was rated 1 percent very poor, 5 percent poor, 23 percent fair, 53 percent good and 18 percent excellent. Soybeans coloring was nearly complete at 95 percent. Eighty-three percent of soybeans were dropping leaves, 3 days ahead of last year and 2 days ahead of average. Soybean harvest was 17 percent complete, 3 days behind last year and the average.  Soybean condition rated 1 percent very poor, 4 percent poor, 22 percent fair, 55 percent good and 18 percent excellent. 

Pasture condition rated 53 percent good to excellent.  

Weather summary

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

September’s last full reporting period continued the recent unseasonably warm streak, with temperatures approaching 10 degrees above normal in northwestern Iowa. The statewide average temperature was 67.5 degrees, 8.1 degrees above normal. Rainfall was also below normal at most of Iowa’s reporting stations, with widespread departures of 0.50–0.75 inch.

Light showers dissipated across southwestern Iowa by Sunday (21ˢᵗ) afternoon as daytime highs rose into the upper 70s and low 80s under southerly winds. A few severe-warned thunderstorms developed over northwestern Iowa after sunset, though they dissipated within a few hours. Several stations reported moderate rainfall totals, including 0.44 inch in Ireton (Sioux County). Additional thunderstorms formed along the northeastern portion of the Iowa–Minnesota border by sunrise on Monday (22ⁿᵈ), with Decorah (Winneshiek County) receiving 0.48 inch. A west-to-east oriented surface boundary shifted south through the day as highs reached the mid 80s with persistent southerly flow. By the late afternoon, sufficient instability had materialized along the front over northern Iowa, allowing strong thunderstorms to develop. There were several reports of one-inch hail, with hailstones up to two inches observed in Sutherland (O’Brien County). Individual cells merged into a line that slowly moved into central Iowa as additional storms formed in west-central Iowa. Although the line weakened as it advanced into southern Iowa, moderate rain showers continued into Tuesday (23ʳᵈ) morning. More than 30 stations recorded at least an inch of rainfall, with the highest totals in pockets of northeastern Iowa and from west-central to southwestern Iowa. A gauge in Dubuque (Dubuque County) measured 2.13 inches, while 2.22 inches fell in Jefferson (Greene County). Outside of these amounts, much of the state’s southeastern half recorded between 0.20 and 0.60 inch. Winds shifted northerly into Wednesday (24ᵗʰ), bringing morning fog over northern Iowa and lows in the mid 50s to low 60s from north to south. Afternoon conditions were partly cloudy, with statewide temperatures ranging from the mid to upper 70s.

Clear skies prevailed into Thursday (25ᵗʰ), with morning temperatures from the upper 40s in the northwest to the low 50s in the southeast, accompanied by reports of patchy fog. Daytime conditions remained pleasant, with light and variable winds, clear skies and highs in the upper 70s to low 80s. Winds returned to a southerly direction as clear skies persisted into Friday (26ᵗʰ). Afternoon highs reached the low to mid-80s, with a pocket of upper 80s in east-central Iowa under sunny skies. On Saturday (27ᵗʰ), morning temperatures were in the 50s under cloudless skies with light southerly winds. A cold front dropped southeast through the day, shifting winds to a northwesterly direction while skies remained clear. Behind the front, highs held in the mid 70s, with low to mid 80s over southeastern Iowa; a few eastern stations recorded readings in the 90s. The statewide average high was 83 degrees, 12 degrees above normal. A few clouds drifted across Iowa into Sunday (28ᵗʰ), with chilly morning lows dipping into the 40s in northern Iowa and the upper 50s farther south.

Weekly precipitation totals ranged from no accumulation at numerous northern stations to 2.22 inches in Jefferson. The statewide weekly average rainfall was 0.41 inch, compared with a normal of 0.76 inch. The National Weather Service office in Davenport (Scott County) reported the week’s high temperature of 91 degrees on the 27ᵗʰ, 18 degrees above normal. Spencer Municipal Airport (Clay County) observed the week’s low temperature of 39 degrees on the 28ᵗʰ, six degrees below normal.