Ag Weather Forum

Here are some highlights of both February and the 3-month meteorological winter season from the state of Iowa. Details are provided by Iowa state climatologist Harry Hillaker. An interesting note is that cold outbreaks did not last very long when they occurred. Also, a trend of warmer nighttime temperatures continued--and this may be a feature to watch during the 2013 growing season if it shows up again as it did in 2010, 2011 and 2012.

FEBRUARY-- Iowa temperatures averaged 23.6 degrees or 0.4 degrees below normal while precipitation totaled 1.31 inches or 0.26 inches above normal. This ranks as the 66th warmest and 40th wettest February among 141 years of records.

The month’s coldest weather came on the first day with actual temperatures falling to -14 degrees at Elkader(northeast) and Indianola (south-central) and wind chills down to -31 degrees at Mason City (north). However, the cold did not last long as above normal temperatures prevailed for 11 of the first 14 days of the month. Daytime temperatures frequently reached into the low fifties in southwestern and southern Iowa from the 3rd to the 13th. Keokuk (southeast) recorded the month’s highest temperature at 59 degrees on the 10th. The second one-half of the month was mostly on the cold side with below normal temperatures prevailing on all but three of the last 14 days of the month.

The colder late month weather was mostly the result of lower daytime temperatures owing to persistent cloudiness with only a few dates with subzero overnight lows.

Heating Degree Day Totals. Home heating requirements, as estimated by heating degree day totals, averaged 10 percent greater than last February but the same as normal. Degree day totals for the season-to-date (since July 1, 2012) are running 8 percent greater than last season but 5% less than normal.

Precipitation. The statewide average precipitation was slightly above normal for the third consecutive month thanks to four widespread precipitation events. Monthly precipitation totals were well above normal over parts of eastern Iowa and below normal over much of the west central and southwest. Preliminary totals varied from only 0.27 inches at Hastings in Mills County (southwest) to 3.49 inches at Burlington (southeast). The statewide average snowfall was 10.5 inches or 3.7 inches above normal to rank as the 23rd snowiest February among 126 years of records.

Winter Summary. The three mid-winter months averaged 24.3 degrees or 2.2 degrees above normal while precipitation totaled 3.84 inches or 0.50 inches above normal. This ranks as the 41st warmest and 42nd wettest winter among 140 years of records. This was the seventh consecutive wetter than normal winter for the state.

Bryce

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