7-day Weather Forecast - Dr. Justin Glisan
Temperature:
- Above average temperatures in the 50s and 60s
- Temperature gradient across the state
Precipitation:
- Quieter weather pattern after an active March
- Windy conditions expected
Climate Forecast - Madelynn Wuestenberg
6-10 day (April 15-19):
Temperature:
- Leaning below normal temperatures along the eastern part of the state
- Near normal temperatures for the rest of the state
Precipitation:
- Southeast edge of the state leaning slightly above normal
- The rest of the state near normal precipitation
8-14 day (April 17-23):
Temperature:
- Eastern part of the state: near normal temperature conditions
- Western half of the state: 33-40% chance of leaning above normal temperatures
Precipitation:
- Most of the state near normal precipitation
3-4 week (April 19-May 2):
Temperature:
- Equal chances for above, below, or near normal temperatures
Precipitation:
- Equal chances for above, below, or near normal precipitation
Normal Weather Context for This Time of Year:
- Temperature: Low 60s for daytime highs, upper 30s for overnight lows
- Precipitation: About 1/10 of an inch per day (doubling by the end of the month)
Recent Weather Events - Madelynn Wuestenberg
Temperature:
- March was the 9th warmest on record (based on 153 years of records)
- Recent cold snap with temperatures as low as 18°F in Audubon
Precipitation/Severe Weather:
- First tornado of the year near Wilton, IA (EF0, traveled almost 2 miles)
- Localized heavy snowfall in March (band from north of Omaha through Mason City)
- More snow from March 20th event than the entire December-February winter period
Specialty Crops Impacts
- Strawberry blossoms likely damaged if left uncovered during recent cold snap (temperatures reached 18-25°F)
- Magnolia trees in Des Moines showing brown flowers from frost damage
- Some growers reporting issues with greenhouse transplants showing death to cotyledons or stunting
- Soil conditions have been dry enough for field work preparation
- Innovative approach: A grower in Louisa County burned down terminated cover crop to create a blackened field that would absorb more solar radiation, potentially keeping the soil warmer for sweet corn seeds
Other Weather/Climate Discussion Topics
- ENSO Status: Last La Niña advisory with significant chances for ENSO neutral conditions developing
- Spring Barrier: Transition period where global teleconnections (like ENSO) have less influence on local weather
- Windiness: Iowa experiencing second windiest spring on record due to three strong low-pressure systems in March
- April is climatologically the windiest month for Iowa
This Day in Iowa Weather History - Dr. Justin Glisan:
On April 10, 1930, very warm weather pushed temperatures to 96°F at Clarinda, making it the earliest date of the year on which such a temperature has ever been recorded in Iowa. Other high temperatures included 95°F at Thurman, 94°F at Atlantic, 93°F at Burlington, Cedar Rapids and Iowa City, and 92°F in Des Moines, Dubuque and Keokuk. At many locations, this remains the earliest date on record of temperatures in the 90s.
