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.

“Widespread rainfall across the state delayed planting last week, but provided much-needed moisture, easing drought conditions across portions of Iowa,” Secretary Naig said. “Outlooks for the next few weeks show unseasonably warm temperatures and perhaps a break in the wet weather, which would give farmers a window to get in the field. Weather models are showing much of Iowa has an elevated risk of experiencing varying types and strength of severe weather this afternoon and evening. This is a good reminder to Iowans to be vigilant, have safety plans in place and be ready to take shelter if needed.”

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

Crop Report

Periodic rains throughout the week resulted in just 2.3 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending April 27, 2025, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. While needed, the precipitation slowed or stopped fieldwork and cool temperatures hampered crop emergence.

Topsoil moisture condition rated 3 percent very short, 11 percent short, 75 percent adequate and 11 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 4 percent very short, 21 percent short, 67 percent adequate and 8 percent surplus.

Corn planted reached 34 percent, 2 days ahead of the 5-year average. Statewide, corn emerged was 2 percent. Twenty-five percent of the expected soybean crop has been planted, 1 day ahead of last year and 4 days ahead of the 5-year average. Oats seeding reached 81 percent complete, 4 days behind last year but 2 days ahead of the 5-year average. Forty-one percent of the expected oat acreage has emerged, 3 days behind last year but 4 days ahead of normal.

Pastures and grass continue to green up. Apart from some muddy feedlots, no livestock issues were reported. Some cow calf pairs were being turned out to pasture.

Weather Summary

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

Most of Iowa experienced an unseasonably wet reporting period with the passage of several rounds of showers and thunderstorms. The wettest conditions were reported across central to northeast Iowa with positive departures on the order of two to four inches. Warmer than normal temperatures persisted with the statewide average temperature of 55.7 degrees, 2.2 degrees above normal.

A low pressure center moving northeast through Iowa on Sunday (20th) brought widespread, moderate showers over much of the state. More than 200 stations reported at least 1.00 inch of rainfall with nearly 25 eastern Iowa stations at or above 2.00 inches; the statewide average rainfall was 0.99 inch. Clouds gradually cleared over western Iowa into Monday (21st) morning with lows in the 40s statewide. Winds gradually shifted southerly with sunny skies and daytime highs in the upper 70s west to upper 50s east. A complex of showers and a few thunderstorms crossed the Nebraska border and pushed across central and northern Iowa before expanding over eastern Iowa toward sunrise on Tuesday (22nd). Light showers moved over southern Iowa through the day as high temperatures rose into the 60s statewide. Isolated strong thunderstorms with some hail and heavier rain popped overnight in north-central Iowa; moderate rainfall held on in eastern Iowa through late morning on Wednesday (23rd) with two gauges in Tipton (Cedar County) registering 1.83 to 2.05 inches at 7:00 am. Conditions remained unsettled through the day with mid to upper 70s at most locations. Severe-warned thunderstorms fired later in the afternoon in southwestern Iowa and then over north-central Iowa into the nighttime hours. There were several reports of larger hailstones with 1.50-inch hail observed in Fort Dodge (Webster County) and Tama (Tama County). Waterloo Municipal Airport (Black Hawk County) measured 2.48 inches of rainfall from stronger cells. A swath of rain totals above 0.50 inch was also found from southwest to northeast; Sidney (Fremont County) collected 1.16 inches, Webster City (Hamilton County) hit 1.52 inches, while Elkader (Clayton County) observed 1.49 inches.

Thursday (24th) saw more widespread rain across the state, particularly western Iowa as another disturbance pushed through. Daytime temperatures varied from the upper 50s north to mid 70s south. An unstable atmosphere over southwest Iowa supported severe thunderstorms that crossed the Iowa-Nebraska border during the early evening hours; a brief tornado was spotted in Council Bluffs (Pottawattamie County). The aerial coverage of moderate rainfall increased into the nighttime hours and pushed across the state into Friday (25th) morning. Rain amounts were above an inch at more than 50 stations with the highest totals in west-central Iowa; Kirkman (Shelby County) registered 1.99 inches while 2.03 inches was reported in Jefferson (Greene County). Amounts tailed off in eastern Iowa to a few tenths of an inch with an overall statewide average at 0.54 inch. Northerly winds and overcast skies remained through the day as temperatures remained in the 50s. Starry skies were visible overnight into Saturday (26th) with morning lows in the mid 30s northwest to mid 40s southeast. Temperatures warmed into the low 60s in southwestern Iowa as winds returned to a southerly direction. Winds were easterly into central and eastern Iowa with upper 50s over the state’s northern half. Sunday (26th) dawned cloudy with southeasterly winds and readings in the mid 40s to low 50s.

Weekly precipitation totals ranged from 0.28 inch in Sioux Center (Sioux County) to 5.46 inches in Cedar Falls. The statewide weekly average precipitation was 2.06 inches while the normal is 0.93 inch. Donnellson (Lee County) and Muscatine (Muscatine County) reported the week’s high temperature of 81 degrees on the 24th, on average 16 degrees above average. Spencer Municipal Airport (Clay County) reported the week’s low temperature of 30 degrees on the 26th, nine degrees below normal. Four-inch soil temperatures were in the low 50s north to upper 50s south 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.

“Last week brought another round of severe weather. I visited southwest Iowa over the weekend, where I saw firsthand some of the damage caused by the tornadoes and large hail. My heart goes out to all the Iowans who were impacted by these storms,” Secretary Naig said. “Although many farmers got a good start with spring field work, the widespread rain and storms over the holiday weekend could temporarily pause further progress. Forecasts for the coming week show multiple rounds of showers possible across the state. While more delays may occur, the rain will help replenish soil moisture, which would be a welcome development in many areas.”

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

Crop report

Planters were rolling across much of the State before being slowed by precipitation. Iowa farmers averaged 5.5 suitable for fieldwork for the week ending April 20, 2025, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. In addition to planting corn, soybeans and oats, fieldwork included tiling, building waterways and spraying when winds allowed.

Topsoil moisture condition rated 6 percent very short, 22 percent short, 69 percent adequate and 3 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 7 percent very short, 30 percent short, 61 percent adequate and 2 percent surplus.

Corn planted reached 18 percent, 3 days ahead of last year and 5 days ahead of the 5-year average. Eleven percent of the expected soybean crop has been planted, 3 days ahead of last year and 1 week ahead of the 5-year average. Oats seeding reached 68 percent complete, 5 days behind last year but 3 days ahead of the 5-year average. Twenty-three percent of the expected oat acreage has emerged, 4 days behind last year but 5 days ahead of normal. 

Weather summary

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

An active weather pattern ramped up across Iowa with hail, high winds and a few tornadoes. These thunderstorms brought above-normal rainfall to swaths of northern and southern Iowa, however several stations reported no measurable totals. Temperatures were several degrees warmer across the state with Iowa’s average temperature at 52.6 degrees, 3.2 degrees above normal.

Scattered showers with a few rumbles of thunder pushed across northern Iowa on Sunday (13th) afternoon as daytime temperatures rose into the 70s. Several stations reported at least a trace with 0.11 inch in Osage (Mitchell County) and 0.15 inch in Algona (Kossuth). Winds shifted to the northwest overnight into Monday (14th), becoming blustery as lows held in the mid 40s west to low 50s east. Skies over Iowa were partly to mostly cloudy through the day with temperatures in the mid 50s over northern Iowa and a few degrees warmer farther south. Spotty, light showers moved southeast through the state during the afternoon hours as an upper-level disturbance transited the Upper Midwest. Over 60 stations receiving measurable amounts reported under 0.10 inch except for Lake Park (Dickinson County), which observed 0.12 inch. Gusty northwesterly winds persisted on Tuesday (15th) as clouds cleared in western Iowa at daybreak; morning lows there were in the low 30s while holding in the low 40s in eastern Iowa under cloud cover. Afternoon temperatures warmed into the upper 50s and low 60s with sunshine and patchy haze. Wednesday (16th) started chilly in eastern Iowa where upper 20s and low 30s were observed. Clear skies reigned over the state with an easterly wind signaling a shift to a more active pattern. As a low pressure system approached Iowa, winds swung to a southerly direction, helping boost afternoon highs in the mid to upper 70s in portions of western Iowa; 60s were reported east.

Thursday (17th) was an active weather day across the Midwest with morning temperatures at many stations in the upper 50s and low 60s, 10-20 degrees above normal. The scattered thundershowers that formed before sunrise in central Iowa continued through eastern Iowa before dissipating after noon. Across Iowa’s northern two-thirds, temperatures climbed into the upper 70s and low 80s as dew point temperatures pushed into the upper 50s ahead of ample moisture flow from the Gulf. As a strong low pressure system moved across northern Iowa, the attendant cold front fired the first round of strong to severe thunderstorms. During the evening hours, two supercell thunderstorms formed in eastern Nebraska and moved into southwest Iowa. These cells had a history of producing large hail and tornadoes; McClelland reported 4.00-inch hail with 2.75 inches observed in Essex (Page County). This storm had a long-track, wedge tornado that moved from Tabor (Fremont County) to Essex, where a Tornado Emergency was issued. Another tornado was reported by a trained spotter in Oakland (Pottawattamie County). The storms held together into central and eastern Iowa, though losing a great deal of strength. Farther northwest, severe thunderstorms with strong winds and large hail moved over the length of the state. Reports of hail and some wind damage came in from Sioux City (Woodbury County), Storm Lake (Buena Vista County) and Waverly (Bremer County). Event rain totals reported at 7:00 am on Friday (18th) had nearly 75 stations at or above 0.50 inch with 20 stations collecting an inch or more. The highest totals were southwest and north central with 1.49 inches at Mason City Municipal Airport (Cerro Gordo County) to 2.42 inches in Corning (Adams County), the highest total of the week. Saturday (19th) was pleasant with light winds and highs in the 50s under mostly sunny skies. Overcast conditions developed across southern Iowa into Sunday (21st) morning with temperatures in the upper 30s to mid 40s north to south.

The statewide weekly average precipitation was 0.35 inch while the normal is 0.91 inch. Three northwest stations reported the week’s high temperature of 85 degrees on the 17th, on average 26 degrees above average. Several northern stations reported the week’s low temperature of 25 degrees on the 16th, on average nine degrees below normal. Four-inch soil temperatures were in the upper 40s north to upper 50s south 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.

“Planters are beginning to roll across the state. The warmer temperatures and drier weather over the past week allowed for a good start to the planting season,” Secretary Naig said. “Outlooks for the rest of April are showing better chances for rain and a more active weather pattern. The threat of severe weather is elevated this time of year, so I encourage all Iowans to be weather aware and have a safety plan in place.”

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

Crop report

Dry conditions helped Iowa farmers as days suitable for fieldwork increased to 5.9 for the week ending April 13, 2025, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Fieldwork included tillage, seeding oats, and applying anhydrous, manure and dry fertilizer. There were also reports of corn and soybeans being planted.

Topsoil moisture condition rated 7 percent very short, 24 percent short, 68 percent adequate and 1 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 9 percent very short, 31 percent short, 59 percent adequate and 1 percent surplus.

Oats seeding reached 47 percent complete, 3 days behind last year but 3 days ahead of the 5-year average. Six percent of the expected oat acreage has emerged, 5 days behind last year but equal to the average.

No livestock issues were reported.

Weather summary

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

A drier pattern prevailed through the reporting period with most of Iowa’s weather stations reporting no rainfall; southeastern Iowa observed the wettest conditions. Weekly temperatures varied from nearly four degrees above normal in northwest Iowa to a few degrees below average farther east; Iowa’s average temperature was 45.2 degrees, 1.0 degree below normal.

Westerly winds persisted through Sunday (6th) afternoon as daytime temperatures settled in the mid to upper 50s across much of Iowa. Winds shifted to a northerly direction overnight as a weak cold front dropped southeast through the state. Monday (7th) morning lows remained in the upper 30s over southeastern Iowa while low 20s were recorded northwest with clear skies statewide. Daytime highs were unseasonably cold, holding in the upper 30s to mid 40s, with gusty winds and sunshine. Tuesday (8th) dawned frigid across portions of Iowa with low temperatures in the teens to low 20s; the statewide average low was 21 degrees, 13 degrees below normal. Winds swung around to the south through the day, helping boost temperatures into the mid to upper 50s in western Iowa; conditions were several degrees cooler in eastern Iowa where high-level haze was reported. Clouds increased over southern Iowa after midnight as a low pressure system skirted the Iowa-Missouri border. Very light rain was reported in southeastern Iowa with a handful of stations collecting a trace; a 0.01-inch measurement was taken in Donnellson (Lee County) and Yarmouth (Des Moines County) at 7:00 am on Wednesday (9th). Temperatures rose into the upper 60s and low 70s in western Iowa through the day as scattered showers formed on the backside of the disturbance in eastern Iowa. Rain totals were under a tenth of an inch for all stations reporting measurable amounts.

Cloudy skies developed into Thursday (10th) morning with patchy fog in eastern Iowa, where temperatures were in the mid 30s; lows across the state were in the upper 40s and low 50s. The atmosphere over southeastern Iowa became unsettled through the afternoon hours, allowing scattered thundershowers to pop up. These cells moved from northwest to southeast, producing some moderate rainfall accumulations; Salem (Henry County) observed 0.17 inch while Morning Sun (Louisa County) reported the week’s highest total of 0.39 inch. High pressure built in across the Upper Midwest as clouds cleared western Iowa into Friday (11th). Hazy conditions and poor air quality were reported as temperatures rose into the upper 50s and low 60s from east to west. Cloudless skies persisted overnight and through Saturday (12th) with strong southerly winds and daytime temperatures from the low 60s in southeastern Iowa to upper 70s and a few low 80s over the state’s western extent. Gusty winds held on into early Sunday (13th) morning with spotty clouds and readings in the 50s statewide.

The statewide weekly average precipitation was 0.02 inch while the normal is 0.79 inch. Little Sioux (Harrison County) reported the week’s high temperature of 82 degrees on the 12th, 21 degrees above average. Elkader (Clayton County) reported the week’s low temperature of 13 degrees on the 8th, 18 degrees below normal. Four-inch soil temperatures were in the upper 40s northeast to upper 50s southwest 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.

“Each spring brings a renewed sense of optimism for the growing season ahead,” Secretary Naig said. “The initial weather outlooks for the first half of April are leaning warmer and drier, which will make farmers eager to get the planters rolling as soon as field conditions are ready. Thankfully, the drought situation across Iowa is improved compared to last year because of the more active weather pattern we experienced throughout March.”

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

Crop report

Much of the State experienced cooler than normal temperatures and much needed rain showers leaving Iowa farmers with 3.3 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending April 6, 2025, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Minimal fieldwork was done during the week, but some producers were able to plant oats, apply anhydrous, and dry fertilizer.

Topsoil moisture condition rated 6 percent very short, 22 percent short, 68 percent adequate and 4 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 10 percent very short, 34 percent short, 55 percent adequate and 1 percent surplus.

Oats seeding reached 20 percent complete, 8 days behind last year but 2 days ahead of the 5-year average. Oats emerged reached 2 percent.

Calving was in full swing with reports of mud in some areas.

Weather summary

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

April began with unseasonably wet conditions across the state with stations in northwest and southern Iowa reporting over 200% of normal rainfall. Temperatures for the first reporting period of the season were colder than average over Iowa’s northwest corner while near-normal conditions were found southeast; Iowa’s average temperature was 40.7 degrees, 2.6 degrees below normal.

A low pressure system continued its path through eastern Iowa on Sunday (30th) afternoon as blustery northwesterly winds built in behind. Rain was reported over much of the state with the highest totals from central to northwest Iowa; Battle Creek (Ida County) reported 0.68 inch while a 0.70-inch total was observed in Webster City (Hamilton County). Measurable snow also accompanied the system with measurements ranging from 0.1 inch in Ames (Story County) to 4.0 inches at Fort Dodge (Webster County). Skies remained mostly cloudy to overcast into Monday (31st) with morning lows in the upper 20s and low 30s. Clearing into the afternoon helped boost highs into the low 50s in southern and eastern Iowa while low to mid 40s blanketed northwestern Iowa. Winds shifted to the east into Tuesday (1st) morning as clouds moved in over western Iowa ahead of another low pressure disturbance. A few waves of moderate rain showers crossed the state into early Tuesday (2nd) morning with stronger thunderstorms firing in western Iowa just after midnight, producing scattered large hail reports. Rain persisted just before noon with a narrow line of thundershowers in northeastern Iowa during the early afternoon. High temperatures rose into the upper 60s to mid 70s in the southeast, nearly 20 degrees above normal. Event rain totals registered at 7:00 am on Wednesday (3rd) showed that most Iowa stations observed at least 0.50 inch with over 70 locations receiving an inch or more. The highest totals were found in northwest eastern Iowa with the Davenport NWS office measuring 1.44 inches. In the northwest, Fonda (Pocahontas County) collected 1.53 inches with an overall statewide average of 0.76 inch. Clouds held over northern Iowa though the afternoon and evening hours with daytime temperatures in the 40s; sunshine across southern Iowa pushed temperatures into the low 50s with light winds.

Winds swung around to the east into Thursday (4th) as partly cloudy skies held lows in the mid 30s over portions of central and western Iowa. Showers associated with a strong surface low moving across the Ohio Valley filtered into southern Iowa during the afternoon hours and lingered into eastern Iowa through late evening. Rain amounts were generally light with the highest totals ranging from 0.20 inch in Mount Union (Henry County) to 0.34 inch in Bloomfield (Davis County). Parts of western Iowa experienced light rainfall as a cold front crossed the state into Friday (5th). Gusty northerly winds developed behind the boundary with overnight lows ranging from the upper 20s northwest to low 40s southeast. Afternoon temperatures stayed in the low to mid 40s as skies cleared with strong northerlies persisting past sunset. Starry skies and light winds allowed substantial surface cooling, resulting in lows in the 20s; the statewide average low was 25 degrees, 10 degrees below normal. Daytime highs rebounded nicely into the mid to upper 50s under variable winds and bright sunshine. A fast moving cold front moved through the Upper Midwest overnight into Sunday (6th), shifting winds back to a northerly direction with upper 20s to low 40s north to south across Iowa.

Weekly precipitation totals ranged from 0.14 inch in Earling (Shelby County) to 2.03 inches in Fonda. The statewide weekly average precipitation was 0.88 inch; the normal of 0.67 inch. Multiple eastern Iowa stations reported the week’s high temperature of 75 degrees on the 2nd, on average 17 degrees above average. Audubon (Audubon County) reported the week’s low temperature of 18 degrees on the 6th, 14 degrees below normal. Four-inch soil temperatures were in the low to mid 40s 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.

“We give thanks for yet another bountiful harvest across Iowa, despite many challenges including a wet spring, a dry fall and some challenging severe weather. Record or near record yields and production for both corn and soybeans, combined with commodity prices not keeping up with costs, amplifies the continual need to build and expand markets locally, domestically and internationally,” said Secretary Naig. “As Iowans gather around the table this Thanksgiving, I encourage you to think about the farmers that made that meal possible and the work they do every single day. We have much to be thankful for here in Iowa. We are truly blessed to live in the greatest state in the greatest nation, and to be a part of Iowa agriculture.”

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

Crop report

Rain along with snow showers in the North East and North Central parts of Iowa resulted in an average of 4.3 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending November 24, 2024, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Field activities slowed down this week with reports of fall tillage, and fertilizer and manure applications wrapping up.

Topsoil moisture condition rated 8 percent very short, 26 percent short, 64 percent adequate and 2 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 14 percent very short, 41 percent short, 44 percent adequate and 1 percent surplus.

Corn harvested for grain is virtually complete.

Weather summary

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

The final reporting period of the year was unseasonably warm and wet with above average rainfall over the western and northern portions of the state; stations in the northwest corner registered positive departures of over an inch. Conditions were up to 10 degrees above average in southeastern Iowa with a statewide average temperature of 39.1 degrees, 4.8 degrees above normal.

Scattered showers continued through southern Iowa into Sunday (17th) afternoon in advance of a large surface low pressure system moving out of Oklahoma. Daytime temperatures held in the low 50s with stations that were experiencing rain reporting totals under 0.10 inch. Clouds increased over southern Iowa into Monday (18th) morning as showers expanded across the state ahead of a warm front. Moderate rainfall was observed over much of western and northern Iowa as the low pressure center propagated north along the Iowa-Nebraska border into Minnesota. High temperatures continued to warm through the evening hours, ranging from the low 50s north to mid 60s south. Gusty westerly winds developed in the wake of the low as clouds cleared from southwest to northeast by sunrise on Tuesday (19th). Nearly 80 stations collected at least an inch of rain with most stations receiving 0.50 inch or more. Western Iowa experienced the wettest conditions with Atlantic (Cass County) and Estherville (Emmet County) each reporting 1.78 inches while Glenwood (Mills County) registered 2.02 inches; the statewide average rainfall was 0.69 inch. Gusty westerlies persisted through the day with overcast skies across northern Iowa and temperatures in the mid to upper 40s. Sunshine over southwestern Iowa boosted temperatures in the 50s as winds died down. A fast-moving cold front dipped through the Upper Midwest during the daylight hours on Wednesday (20th) bringing the first, but very light, snowfall over northeastern Iowa. High temperatures hovered in the low 30s over northern Iowa as snowflakes flew while southern Iowa was 10 to 15 degrees warmer. Nearly 50 stations measured at least 0.1 inch of snow with 1.0 inch observed at Bellevue Lock and Dam (Jackson County).

Thursday (21st) morning was overcast with strong northwesterly winds and lows in the upper 20s and low 30s. Cloud cover began to break across western Iowa into the afternoon with temperatures across the state in the upper 30s and low 40s. Overcast skies in Iowa’s eastern two-thirds continued into Friday (22nd) as morning lows dropped into the upper teens and low 20s in western Iowa where stars were visible. Daytime temperatures rose into the mid to upper 30s in eastern Iowa with low to mid 40s west. Clearing skies and light, variable winds helped morning lows on Saturday (23rd) drop down to the 20s at most of Iowa’s stations with patchy fog observed in eastern Iowa. A shift to southeasterly winds through the day aided temperatures warming through the low 50s in western Iowa with slightly cooler conditions at eastern stations. Winds shifted back to an easterly direction by 7:00 am on Sunday (24th) as clear skies held on and morning temperatures remained in the 30s statewide.

Weekly precipitation totals ranged from 0.20 inch in Fairfield (Jefferson County) to 2.25 inches in Holstein (Ida County). The weekly statewide average precipitation was 0.84 inch; the normal is 0.43 inch. Numerous stations reported the week’s high temperature of 64 degrees on the 18th, on average 16 degrees above normal. Mapleton (Monona County) reported the week’s low temperature of 18 degrees on the 24th, three 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.

“Even as harvest winds down across the state, farmers are still busy completing fall field work as conditions allow,” said Secretary Naig. “Though the rain has temporarily parked some combines and tractors, it has helped green up the cover crops and provided some replenishment for the parched soils and streams. Forecasts through the end of November indicate both seasonal temperatures and precipitation can be expected.”

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

Crop report

Iowa’s farmers had an average of 3.6 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending November 17, 2024, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Primary fieldwork activities included fall tillage, fertilizer applications, and some row crop harvest. Topsoil moisture condition rated 8 percent very short, 28 percent short, 61 percent adequate and 3 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 15 percent very short, 44 percent short, 40 percent adequate and 1 percent surplus. Corn harvested for grain reached 97 percent statewide.

Livestock producers continue to deal with muddy feedlots. 

Weather summary

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

The shift to a wetter weather pattern in early November continued through the reporting period with widespread rainfall statewide and unseasonably wet conditions in western Iowa. Warmer temperatures persisted as well with positive departures nearing eight degrees in western Iowa; the statewide average temperature was 43.1 degrees, 6.4 degrees above normal. 

Late morning showers moved out of northeastern Iowa as cloudy skies persisted through Sunday (10th) afternoon. Daytime temperatures held in the low to mid 50s with a westerly wind. Several stations observed rainfall, ranging from 0.13 inch at Harpers Ferry (Allamakee County) to 0.52 inch in Mason City (Cerro Gordo County). Starry skies emerged into Monday (11th) with morning lows in the mid 30s to low 40s north to south with northwesterly winds. Afternoon conditions remained sunny with temperatures in the mid 40s north to low 50s south. Winds shifted easterly and became blustery through Tuesday (12th) as a low pressure system approached Iowa from the southwest. Afternoon temperatures varied from the mid 40s east to upper 50s west with cloud cover increasing across western Iowa. Thundershowers formed ahead of the low pressure center along the Iowa-Nebraska border after midnight on Wednesday (13th). Showers spread across Iowa through the daylight hours as temperatures held in the 40s. The system exited northeastern Iowa late in the night with winds shifting to the northwest as clouds cleared in western Iowa. Event rain totals were highest in western Iowa where 45 stations collected at least 1.00 inch; Atlantic (Cass County) observed 1.52 inches with 1.90 inches in Schleswig (Crawford County). Amounts tapered off to a few tenths farther east with higher readings northeast and a statewide average of 0.47 inch. 

Fog was reported across eastern Iowa on Thursday (14th) morning with lows in the mid 40s under cloudy skies. Clearing conditions in western Iowa allowed temperatures to drop into the low to mid 30s. Mostly cloudy skies remained over Iowa’s eastern two-thirds while southerly winds and clear skies were present farther west. Overnight lows into Friday (15th) dropped into the upper 20s and low 30s with very dense fog observed from central to eastern Iowa; some stations reported frozen fog as well. With high pressure dominating the Midwest and a shift to southerly flow, afternoon temperatures rose into the upper 50s to mid 60s under sunshine. Spotty cloud cover developed overnight with southeasterly winds increasing through Saturday (16th) morning and temperatures in the 40s. Showers and a few isolated thunderstorms formed along a weak cold front over the evening hours with rain totals under 0.10 inch; Cedar Falls (Black Hawk County) reported the highest total of 0.08 inch. Colder air filtered in behind the front with northwesterly winds and Sunday (17th) morning temperatures in the mid 30s to mid 40s.

Weekly precipitation totals ranged from 0.02 inch in Decorah (Winneshiek County) to 2.16 inches in Earling (Shelby County). The weekly statewide average precipitation was 0.55 inch; the normal is 0.49 inch. Clarinda (Page County) reported the week’s high temperature of 67 degrees on the 15th, 17 degrees above normal. Elkader (Clayton County) reported the week’s low temperature of 21 degrees on the 12th, five degrees below normal.