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 multiple rounds of rain to much of the state, marking the wettest seven days of the growing season thus far. In addition to benefitting the corn and soybeans, the moisture helps to replenish our streams, pastures and hay fields. Corn tassels are also just beginning to show after the recent warm weather, signaling crop development remains on track,” Secretary Naig said. “As July begins, Iowans can expect seasonal temperatures and fewer storm chances – pleasant conditions for a festive and fun Independence Day weekend filled with fireworks, cookouts and outdoor celebrations.”

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

Crop report

Precipitation, heavy in some parts of Iowa, reduced days suitable for fieldwork to just 2.7 during the week ending June 29, 2025, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. While beneficial, the wet conditions limited field activities throughout much of the State.

Topsoil moisture condition rated 1 percent very short, 9 percent short, 69 percent adequate and 21 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 2 percent very short, 15 percent short, 70 percent adequate and 13 percent surplus.

Reports of corn starting to silk were received, reaching 3 percent. Corn condition rated 0 percent very poor, 2 percent poor, 13 percent fair, 63 percent good and 22 percent excellent. Soybeans blooming reached 22 percent, 3 days ahead of last year and 2 days ahead of normal. There were a few reports of soybeans setting pods. Soybean condition rated 1 percent very poor, 3 percent poor, 19 percent fair, 61 percent good and 16 percent excellent. Iowa’s oat crop reached 90 percent headed with 39 percent turning color. There were scattered reports of oats starting to be harvested. Oat condition rated 0 percent very poor, 2 percent poor, 15 percent fair, 68 percent good and 15 percent excellent.

First cutting of alfalfa hay is mostly complete, while the second cutting reached 30 percent complete. Hay condition rated 81 percent good to excellent. Pasture condition rated 73 percent good to excellent. No unusual livestock conditions were reported.

Weather summary

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

Iowa experienced the wettest reporting period of the season with widespread two to four inches of above normal rainfall from east-central through southern and western Iowa; only southeastern Iowa was near to slightly below normal. Temperatures also remained unseasonably warm with the statewide average temperature at 76.8 degrees, 3.9 degrees above normal.

Sunny skies and strong southerly winds continued through Sunday (22nd) afternoon as both dewpoint and air temperatures pushed into the 70s and 90s, respectively; the statewide average high was 92 degrees, 10 degrees above normal. Clouds increased over western Iowa into Monday (23rd) morning as a cold front moved through northwestern Iowa with morning lows hovering in the 70s. With ample moisture and temperatures in the 80s and low 90s, thunderstorms blossomed along the cold front from northeast to southwest into the evening hours, producing locally heavy rain and scattered severe wind gusts. Steady rain persisted across southern Iowa where Flash Flood Warnings were issued during the late morning. Daytime temperatures were generally in the upper 70s and low 80s with peeks of sunshine and a brief lull from widespread thunderstorms. Redevelopment of sluggish thunderstorms occurred over Iowa’s southern third around sunset and pushed into west-central Iowa by daybreak on Tuesday (24th) with additional flood warnings issued. Numerous stations from central to southwestern Iowa reported totals over 3.00 inches, with Decatur County stations of Davis City and Grand River collecting 3.05-to-5.00-inch totals, respectively. A wide swath of 1.00-to-3.00-inch totals stretched from south-central to northeast Iowa while lesser amounts were registered northwest; the overall statewide average was 0.82 inch. Portions of western Iowa experienced widespread rainfall beginning on Wednesday (25th) as another system propagated across Iowa, producing some severe straight-line winds along with local flooding in west-central counties. Over 120 stations observed at least an inch with 3.12 inches in Urbandale (Polk County) and 5.57 inches in Massena (Cass County). Amounts of 0.25-0.50 inch were widespread over the southwestern corner.

Thursday (26th) was another severe weather day over Iowa as a cold front transited the Upper Midwest. Afternoon temperatures reached into the upper 80s and low 90s ahead of the surface boundary with thunderstorms firing rapidly from southwest to northeast. Several cells turned severe, with high winds and two weak tornadoes near Corwith (Hancock County) and Lu Verne (Humboldt County). The line of storms pushed into eastern Iowa and finally out of the southwest corner by dawn on Friday (27th). Most Iowa stations received at least 0.50 inch with a west to north-central band of 2.00-4.00 inches; Carroll (Carroll County) observed 2.05 inches with 4.00 inches in Odebolt (Sac County). Clouds gradually cleared through the day with light northwesterly winds and pleasant temperatures in the upper 60s and low 70s. Winds shifted southerly into Saturday (28th) with light rain in northwestern Iowa. Afternoon temperatures pushed back into the upper 80s and low 90s under mostly sunny skies. Conditions quickly changed by midnight in northwest Iowa as a bow echo with severe-warned thunderstorms dropped large hail and strong wind gusts; a 75-mph reading was observed near Cleghorn (Cherokee County). The complex diminished in strength by Sunday (28th) morning with a few stations registering higher rainfall totals; Sioux Center (Sioux County) hit 1.01 inches.

Weekly precipitation totals ranged from 0.25 inch at Fort Madison (Lee County) to 7.13 inches in Massena. The statewide weekly average precipitation was 2.81 inches; the normal is 1.16 inches. Little Sioux (Harrison County) reported the week’s high temperature of 100 degrees on the 22nd, 16 degrees above normal. Iowa Falls (Hardin County) reported the week’s low temperature of 57 degrees on the 28th, four 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.

“Last week’s mix of hot temperatures, high humidity and blustery winds really made it feel like summer. Some areas across north-central Iowa received several inches of rain with other locations receiving uninvited hail and high winds,” Secretary Naig said. “The warmer temperatures and increased chances for rain are likely to continue through the end of the month.”

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

Crop report

Spotty precipitation, heavy in some areas, limited Iowa farmers to 4.3 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending June 22, 2025, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Field work included cutting hay and spraying. Above average temperatures spurred crop growth.

Topsoil moisture condition rated 3 percent very short, 16 percent short, 73 percent adequate and 8 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 6 percent very short, 21 percent short, 65 percent adequate and 8 percent surplus.

Virtually all of Iowa’s corn crop has emerged, and there were scattered reports of corn silking. Corn condition rated 1 percent very poor, 2 percent poor, 14 percent fair, 62 percent good and 21 percent excellent. Nearly all of the soybean crop has emerged. Soybeans blooming reached 13 percent, 5 days ahead of both last year and the five-year average. Soybean condition rated 1 percent very poor, 3 percent poor, 19 percent fair, 61 percent good and 16 percent excellent. Iowa’s oat crop reached 81 percent headed with 27 percent turning color. Oat condition rated 0 percent very poor, 2 percent poor, 13 percent fair, 67 percent good and 18 percent excellent.

At 94 percent, the first cutting of alfalfa hay was nearly complete. The second cutting reached 24 percent complete. Hay condition rated 80 percent good to excellent. Pasture condition rated 72 percent good to excellent. Some heat stress was reported in livestock.

Weather summary

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

An active storm track over the Upper Midwest allowed for several days of thunderstorms across Iowa. Northern and eastern Iowa reported above-normal rainfall, particularly north-central stations. Temperatures also ramped up through the end of the reporting period with positive departures across the state; the statewide average temperature was 75.9 degrees, 4.8 degrees above normal.

Morning thunderstorms in western Iowa dissipated into Sunday (15th) afternoon as temperatures warmed into the upper 70s and low 80s. Showers and thunderstorms reformed in central and eastern Iowa during the evening hours with another pulse of development in north-central Iowa towards daybreak on Monday (16th). This complex moved southeast over eastern Iowa for much of the day as severe thunderstorms fired in western Iowa during the late afternoon. The line became severe-warned as it raced through west-central Iowa, but lost strength as it fanned out into central and southwest Iowa by sunset. Rain totals reported at 7:00 am on Tuesday (17th) were highest in northern Iowa, where Nora Springs (Floyd County) observed 2.28 inches while Lake Mills (Winnebago County) collected 3.25 inches. Several surrounding stations reported 1.00 inch or more with a north-central to southeast swath of at least 0.50 inch. Much of western Iowa also registered 0.25 to 0.50 inch. Morning conditions were clear with light and variable winds and temperatures in the mid to upper 60s. Afternoon temperatures varied from the upper 70s northwest to upper 80s southeast as scattered showers and thunderstorms returned to much of the state. Slow-moving thunderstorms brought heavier rain to northern Iowa, especially around Orange City (Sioux County) where several gauges registered from 1.58 inches to 3.02 inches. Rainfall continued into Wednesday (18th) with overcast skies across southern and eastern Iowa holding temperatures in the mid to upper 60s. Persisting clouds and rain held daytime temperatures in the 70s as thundershowers rumbled across central Iowa. Conditions quieted down after midnight with clearing skies, westerly winds and morning lows in the upper 50s to mid 60s. Rain amounts for the previous 24 hours were particularly high in southeastern Iowa where a 2.59-inch reading was collected in Ottumwa (Wapello County) and a 3.65-inch reading in Drakesville (Davis County).

Thursday (19th) afternoon conditions warmed into the mid 80s to low 90s under a clear sky and gradually shifting southerly winds. Clouds increased towards the later evening hours with thunderstorms forming in central Iowa as well as an isolated severe-warned cell in southwest Iowa; a 74-mph wind gust was observed near Tabor (Mills County). Another severe-warned line dove south, from Kossuth County into east-central Iowa by sunrise on Friday (20th). Along this swath, numerous stations reported over 0.75 inch with locally heavy totals at north-central and east-central stations; Mason City (Cerro Gordo County) hit 2.43 inches with 3.00 inches in Grinnell (Poweshiek County). Thunderstorms with downpours continued across eastern Iowa before moving out of the state by evening. Afternoon temperatures rapidly warmed into the upper 90s in western Iowa with 80s farther east as southerly winds increased. Strong southerly winds continued overnight into Saturday (21st) helping set several record warm low temperatures for the date; the National Weather Service office in Davenport (Scott County) hit 82 degrees with a statewide low of 72 degrees, 11 degrees above normal. Exceedingly warm daytime temperatures in concert with high dewpoints and sustained strong southerly winds produced anomalous conditions not seen at many locations in the observational record. Conditions were near identical into Sunday (22nd) morning with clear skies and temperatures in the upper 70s.

Weekly rainfall ranged from 0.06 inch at Logan (Harrison County) to 4.41 inches at a Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow (CoCoRaHS) network gauge in Mason City. The statewide weekly average precipitation was 1.82 inches; the normal is 1.19 inches. Little Sioux (Harrison County) reported the week’s high temperature of 101 degrees on the 20th, 17 degrees above normal. Oelwein (Fayette County) reported the week’s low temperature of 50 degrees on the 18th, 11 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.

“Strong storms swept through parts of northern Iowa last week, bringing hail that damaged some corn and soybean fields. Despite that unwelcomed severe weather, most of the state experienced a good mix of rain and seasonal temperatures that helped the crops progress,” Secretary Naig said. “As summer officially arrives this week, forecasts are showing warmer-than-normal temperatures and continued chances of storms and widespread showers.”

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

Crop report

Farmers had 5.5 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending June 15, 2025, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Damaging hail and wind was reported in parts of northern Iowa, which also received the most significant rainfall during the week. Field activities included cutting hay, side dressing and spraying crops.

Topsoil moisture condition rated 5 percent very short, 22 percent short, 70 percent adequate and 3 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 7 percent very short, 29 percent short, 60 percent adequate and 4 percent surplus.

At 97 percent, nearly all of Iowa’s corn crop has emerged, ahead of last year’s pace but matching the 5-year average. Corn condition rated 0 percent very poor, 2 percent poor, 14 percent fair, 63 percent good and 21 percent excellent. Ninety-three percent of soybeans have emerged, 1 week ahead of last year and 2 days ahead of normal. Soybean condition rated 1 percent very poor, 2 percent poor, 17 percent fair, 62 percent good and 18 percent excellent. Iowa’s oat crop reached 69 percent headed and 19 percent turning color. Oat condition rated 0 percent very poor, 1 percent poor, 15 percent fair, 65 percent good and 19 percent excellent.

Eighty-eight percent of the State’s first cutting of alfalfa hay has been completed. The second cutting reached 16 percent complete. Hay condition rated 82 percent good to excellent. Pasture condition rated 69 to percent good to excellent. No major livestock concerns were reported.

Weather summary

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

An unsettled weather pattern persisted across Iowa over the reporting period with multiple rounds of showers and thunderstorms. Even though rainfall was widespread, weekly totals were still below normal for much of Iowa. Temperatures were generally near-normal to a degree above normal for most of Iowa with a statewide average temperature of 70.2 degrees, 0.4 degree above normal.

Showers pushed across southern Iowa on Sunday (8th) afternoon as a cold front dropped through the state. Clear skies over northern Iowa helped push temperatures into the mid 70s. Rainfall totals were generally under 0.20 inch with most stations reporting less than 0.10 inch; a 0.21-inch-total was found in Murray (Clarke County). Winds shifted to the northwest on Monday (9th) morning with partly cloudy conditions developing through the daytime hours and highs in the 60s. Tuesday (10th) dawned with clear skies and patchy fog over portions of Iowa where winds were light; morning lows held in the 50s for most Iowa stations. Westerly winds persisted as highs warmed into the upper 80s and low 90s in northwestern Iowa with upper 70s southeast under sunny skies. A southerly shifting wind and temperatures in the 60s greeted Iowans on Wednesday (11th) morning with conditions quickly warming into the 80s by noon. A stationary front draped over northern Iowa was a forcing mechanism for strong to severe thunderstorms during the afternoon and evening hours. Several storms produced large hail and severe straight-line winds along a line from Rock Rapids (Lyon County) to Urbana (Benton County). There were numerous reports of crop and tree damage from larger hail and wind-driven hail. Moderate to heavy rain and training thunderstorms also brought significant totals to north-central Iowa; Nashua (Floyd County) observed 2.10 inches while Mason City (Cerro Gordo County) collected 3.22 inches. Many stations along the eastern and western periphery reported amounts in the 0.50 to 1.00-inch with lesser totals farther south.

Winds turned easterly into Thursday (12th) with some lingering showers in northern Iowa with otherwise clear conditions and temperatures in the 60s. Scattered thundershowers popped up from south-central to northeastern Iowa during the late afternoon into the nighttime hours. Several stations reported heavier amounts, varying from 1.02 inches in Davis City (Decatur County) to 2.20 inches in Osage (Mitchell County). Conditions stabilized on Friday (13th) with southeasterly winds and unseasonably warm temperatures in the upper 60s and low 70s. Cloud cover increased into the afternoon with daytime highs in the 80s statewide. A few isolated thunderstorms developed in north-central Iowa around sunset with showers moving over extreme southeastern Iowa; rain totals were under a few tenths of an inch. Overnight lows on Saturday (14th) were up to 10 degrees above normal, in the upper 60s and low 70s for several locations. With higher dewpoints and light winds, dense fog formed over much of the state through early morning. As temperatures warmed, showers and thunderstorms developed along a surface boundary from central to northwestern Iowa, where some cells became severe warned. The complex expanded over most of northern Iowa with the highest amounts in Hamilton County where two Webster City gauges collected 2.61 and 2.84 inches. Twenty-five stations reported at least an inch with widespread 0.25- to 0.50-inch totals reported at 7:00 am on Sunday (15th); the statewide average was 0.38 inch.

Weekly rainfall ranged from no accumulation in eastern and western Iowa to 3.83 inches in Mason City. The statewide weekly average precipitation was 0.68 inch; the normal is 1.19 inches. Manchester (Delaware County) reported the week’s high temperature of 97 degrees on the 11th, 18 degrees above normal. Mount Ayr (Ringgold County) and Stanley (Buchanan County) reported the week’s low temperature of 43 degrees on the 10th, on average 15 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.

“While the highest rainfall totals were concentrated in western Iowa over the past week, much of the state received some rain and cooler temperatures,” Secretary Naig said. “The crops could use some heat, and it looks like it’s on the way. The warmer weather and possible showers in the forecast this week should give the corn and soybeans a lift.”

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

Crop report

Iowa farmers had 4.7 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending June 8, 2025, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Field activities included cutting hay and spraying crops.

Topsoil moisture condition rated 4 percent very short, 21 percent short, 71 percent adequate and 4 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 5 percent very short, 28 percent short, 64 percent adequate and 3 percent surplus.

Corn emerged reached 92 percent, 4 days ahead of last year’s pace but 2 days behind normal. Corn condition rated 85 percent good to excellent, up 1 percentage point from last week.  Ninety-seven percent of the expected soybean crop has been planted with 88 percent emerged. Soybean emergence was 10 days ahead of last year and 4 days ahead of normal. Soybean condition rated 80 percent good to excellent, down 1 percentage point from last week. Emergence of the oat crop is nearly complete, with 53 percent headed and 10 percent turning color. Oat condition rated 84 percent good to excellent.

Seventy-seven percent of the State’s first cutting of alfalfa hay has been completed and there were scattered reports of farmers starting the second cutting.  Hay condition rated 82 percent good to excellent.  Pasture condition decreased slightly to 70 percent good to excellent.

Weather summary

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

Several rounds of showers and thunderstorms brought widespread rainfall over the state with above-average amounts in western Iowa; east-central Iowa reported 0.50-1.00 inch deficits. Temperatures were near-normal to slightly cooler for much of Iowa through June’s first week with a statewide average temperature of 66.3 degrees, 0.9 degrees below normal.

Sunday (1st) afternoon was sunny with wildfire haze persisting as temperatures varied from the upper 70s east to mid 80s west. Southerly winds developed into Monday (2nd) with clear skies at sunrise and unseasonably warm morning temperatures in the upper 50s and low 60s. Afternoon temperatures rose into the upper 80s and low 90s as wind speeds increased out of the south ahead of a cold front draped across the Dakotas; the statewide average high was 87 degrees, 10 degrees above normal. The surface boundary pushed into western Iowa into the evening hours with initial, isolated severe-warned thunderstorms firing from the afternoon heat. Wind damage to a hog barn was reported in Hospers (Sioux County) from a localized downburst along with heavy downpours. Scattered showers and thunderstorms expanded across western Iowa overnight into Tuesday (3rd) and spread into eastern Iowa through the daytime hours. With rain and overcast skies, afternoon temperatures held in the upper 50s behind the front while upper 70s were observed in eastern Iowa, where atmospheric instability was present. Severe thunderstorms developed along the cold front and spawned an EF-0 tornado in New Boston (Lee County) and an EF-1 tornado south of the Quad Cities.

The system exited the state by daybreak on Wednesday (4th) with widespread rainfall totals reported at 7:00 am. Nearly 30 stations registered at least 2.00 inches with the highest amounts found in northwest and eastern Iowa; Le Claire Lock and Dam (Scott County) collected 2.01 inches while Sioux Center (Sioux County) hit 3.73 inches. Much of east-central Iowa observed totals in the 0.25-0.50 inch range; the statewide average amount was 0.94 inch. Calm to light winds and clear skies allowed foggy conditions to develop on Thursday (5th) morning with temperatures from the mid 40s west to upper 50s east. Winds swung around to the northeast as afternoon conditions warmed into the 70s with mostly sunny skies. Showers moved into western Iowa later in the day and propagated through northern Iowa into Friday (6th) morning. Rain amounts were under a few tenths of an inch over the state’s northwestern half. Skies remained partly cloudy with light winds and temperatures in the 70s. Spotty showers redeveloped across north-central Iowa on Saturday (7th) morning with the highest totals ranging from 0.61 inch at Mason City Municipal Airport (Cerro Gordo County) to 0.74 inch in Ames (Story County). A more concentrated complex of moderate showers moved along the Iowa-Missouri border and into central Iowa through the day with several stations collecting more than an inch; Perry (Dallas County) observed 1.18 inches while Jefferson (Greene County) picked up 1.63 inches. Conditions cleared into Sunday (8th) as a cold front dropped southeast across Iowa with temperatures hovering in the upper 50s and low 60s.

Weekly precipitation totals ranged from 0.13 inch at Waterloo Municipal Airport (Black Hawk County) to 3.86 inches in Sioux Center. The statewide weekly average precipitation was 1.26 inches; the normal is 1.17 inches. Sioux City Airport (Woodbury County) reported the week’s high temperature of 94 degrees on the 2nd, 15 degrees above normal. Several stations reported the week’s low temperature of 44 degrees on the 4th, on average 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.

“Planting is nearly complete across the state and most of the corn and soybeans have emerged. Many farmers are now turning their attention to applying crop protection products and baling hay,” Secretary Naig said. “While haze from Canadian wildfires has hung around the last few days, it’s expected to clear by mid-week. The forecast shows much of the state could receive some welcome rain in the week ahead.”

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

Crop report

Dry weather with isolated showers led to 5.4 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending June 1, 2025, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Primary field activities included planting, cutting hay and spraying emerging crops.

Topsoil moisture condition rated 5 percent very short, 23 percent short, 70 percent adequate and 2 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 5 percent very short, 27 percent short, 65 percent adequate and 3 percent surplus.

Corn planted reached 97 percent. Corn emerged reached 87 percent, 6 days ahead of last year’s pace and 1 day ahead of normal. Corn condition rated 84 percent good to excellent. Ninety-six percent of the expected soybean crop has been planted. Soybeans emerged reached 79 percent, 10 days ahead of last year and 4 days ahead of normal. Soybean condition rated 81 percent good to excellent. Ninety-five percent of the State’s oat crop has emerged. Oats headed reached 41 percent, 2 days ahead of last year and 1 week ahead of normal. Oat condition rated 85 percent good to excellent.

Sixty-one percent of the State’s first cutting of alfalfa hay has been completed, 6 days ahead of last year and average. Hay condition rated 83 percent good to excellent.  Pasture condition rated 73 percent good to excellent.

Weather summary

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

Upper level wildfire smoke produced a copper-colored Sun on several days during the reporting period, slightly reducing incoming solar radiation. Along with persisting cloud cover mid-week, air temperatures remained cooler than normal for the end of May; the statewide average temperature was 62.2 degrees, 2.4 degrees below normal. Rainfall totals were generally light across the state with scarce amounts in south-central and eastern Iowa.

Showers moving across southern Iowa dissipated by noon on Sunday (25th), leaving behind totals generally under 0.10 inch; Pacific Junction (Mills County) reported more than double this amount at 0.22 inch. Most of Iowa reported clear conditions into Monday (26th) morning with lows ranging from the upper 40s north to mid 50s south. Clouds began to increase over southwestern Iowa during the late morning with mostly cloudy skies developing statewide toward the evening hours as temperatures reached into the upper 60s and low 70s. Showers developed across western Iowa into Tuesday (27th) as a cut-off low pressure system stalled over the Upper Midwest. Overcast skies and rain persisted through the day with high temperatures ranging from the upper 50s northwest to low 70s southeast. Light rain tapered off overnight into Wednesday (28th) with cloudy morning conditions and temperatures in the 50s. Event rain totals were highest in western Iowa with 0.51 inch at Sioux City Airport (Woodbury County) to 0.64 inch in Bedford (Taylor County). Many stations receiving rainfall had general amounts in the 0.20-0.40-inch range with lesser amounts farther east. Unsettled conditions continued through the daylight hours with high temperatures in the 60s and light, northerly winds. Patchy fog formed in central to western Iowa early on Thursday (29th) with clouds hanging over much of northern Iowa. Peeks of sunshine were visible here and there towards the evening with temperatures warming into the upper 60s and low 70s with some scattered light showers. Wind shifted to a northwesterly direction into Friday (30th), ushering Canadian wildfire smoke into the region. Wind speeds increased across the state with temperatures breaching the 80 degrees mark across southeastern Iowa; conditions held in the upper 70s over the rest of Iowa with ample sunshine. Saturday (31st) was an ideal day for Iowans with light and variable winds, comfortable relative humidity and highs in the low 80s. Sunday (1st) morning dawned with lows in the 50s and upper level smoke producing a beautiful sunrise.

Weekly precipitation totals ranged from no accumulation at multiple stations in east-central Iowa to 0.79 inch in Remsen (Plymouth County). The statewide weekly average precipitation was 0.21 inch; the normal is 1.08 inches. Several southwest stations reported the week’s high temperature of 88 degrees on the 31st, on average nine degrees above normal. Multiple northern Iowa stations reported the week’s low temperature of 40 degrees on the 26th and 27th, on average 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.

“Last week’s cool and soggy conditions sidelined many farmers who were looking to finish planting or complete other field work. Despite the delays, most farmers are grateful to receive the rain as we recharge our soils and give the crops a strong early season boost,” said Secretary Naig. “We expect a less active weather pattern with warmer temperatures and spotty rain in the week ahead.”

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

Crop report

Timely rains while needed, limited Iowa farmers to 3.8 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending May 25, 2025, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Corn and soybean planting continued but some producers are waiting for warmer and drier conditions to start spraying.

Topsoil moisture condition rated 4 percent very short, 15 percent short, 76 percent adequate and 5 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 5 percent very short, 23 percent short, 67 percent adequate and 5 percent surplus.

Corn planted reached 95 percent. Corn emerged reached 76 percent, 6 days ahead of last year’s pace and 2 days ahead of normal. Corn condition rated 0 percent very poor, 2 percent poor, 15 percent fair, 62 percent good and 21 percent excellent. Ninety-two percent of the expected soybean crop has been planted, just over 2 weeks ahead of last year and 8 days ahead of the 5-year average. Soybeans emerged reached 60 percent, 8 days ahead of last year and 4 days ahead of normal. Soybean condition rated 1 percent very poor, 2 percent poor, 17 percent fair, 64 percent good and 16 percent excellent. Ninety-two percent of the State’s oat crop has emerged. Oats headed reached 26 percent. Oat condition rated 0 percent very poor, 1 percent poor, 13 percent fair, 69 percent good and 17 percent excellent.

Forty percent of the State’s first cutting of alfalfa hay has been completed.  Hay condition rated 85 percent good to excellent. Pasture condition rated 68 percent good to excellent.

Weather summary

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

Unseasonably cool and wet conditions were the headline of the reporting period with widespread, beneficial rain across much of Iowa; nearly 250-300% of normal rainfall was observed in central to eastern Iowa. Coupled with cloud cover and rain, conditions were six to 10 degrees below normal with the statewide average temperature at 55.0 degrees, 8.1 degrees below normal.

Easterly winds persisted through Sunday (18th) afternoon under sunny skies and highs in the upper 60s and low 70s. Cloud cover increased towards midnight as showers and a few thunderstorms pushed into southwest Iowa ahead of a low pressure center over the Dakotas. Rain totals at 7:00 am on Monday (19th) were in the 0.25 – 0.75 inch range across much of western Iowa with pockets over an inch near the Iowa-Nebraska border; Randolph (Fremont County) reported 1.10 inches while 1.55 inches was observed in Blencoe (Harrison County). A stronger disturbance moved into southern Iowa during the afternoon hours, where high temperatures were in the mid to upper 60s. Severe-warned thunderstorms crossed into Iowa from northern Missouri and sped northeast into late evening as showers and thunderstorms overspread much of Iowa. Several reports of hail were noted along I-35 with 2.00-inch diameter hail in Grand River (Decatur County) and Osceola (Clarke County). Light to moderate rain continued from central to northeastern Iowa into Tuesday (20th) morning with lows in the mid 40s northeast to upper 50s southwest. Additional stronger thunderstorms fired in eastern Iowa as the low pressure center transited into Wisconsin in the latter daytime hours. Nearly 85% of Iowa stations reported an inch or more with 70 stations collecting at least two inches, particularly along a swath of south-central to central Iowa and into eastern Iowa; Gilbert (Story County) registered 3.02 inches while Norwalk (Warren County) observed 4.76 inches. At a statewide average of 2.06 inches, these rain totals made up the bulk of the week’s rainfall.

Overcast skies remained through Wednesday (21st) with daytime highs in the low 50s north to low 60s south with gusty northwesterly winds. Light showers filtered into eastern Iowa, though totals were generally under a few tenths of an inch; Anamosa (Jones County) collected 0.20 inch with 0.31 inch in Park View (Scott County). Skies over western Iowa cleared into Thursday (22nd) morning, allowing lows to drop into the low to mid 40s. Highs rose into the 60s across much of the state as stubborn clouds and light northerly winds remained. Friday (23rd) was pleasant as mostly sunny skies, light winds and temperatures in the mid to upper 60s greeted Iowans ahead of Memorial Day weekend. Cloud cover and showers moved through western Iowa into the late evening and dissipated through the overnight hours. Northwest Iowa reported the highest totals with 0.55 inch in Orange City (Sioux County) with totals tapering off to a few tenths east and south. Saturday (24th) stayed cloudy for most of the day with temperatures in the low 60s to low 70s with light showers filling in across southern Iowa after sunset. The highest rain totals, between 0.21 – 0.42 inch, were isolated to Mills, Page and Pottawattamie counties as of Sunday (25th) morning.

Weekly rain totals ranged 0.49 inch in Sanborn (O’Brien County) to 4.99 inches in Grand River. The statewide weekly average rainfall was 2.10 inches; the normal is 1.10 inches. Several stations reported the week’s high temperature of 78 degrees on the 18th, on average five degrees above normal. Mason City (Cerro Gordo County) reported the week’s low temperature of 32 degrees on the 20th, 17 degrees below normal. Soil temperatures were in the upper 50s to low 60s statewide as of Sunday.