For all of its temperature extremes, September ended up being just one degree warmer than normal in Iowa. State Climatologist Harry Hillaker says the first half of the month was much hotter than usual and forced many of us to run our air conditioners and fans around the clock.While highs hit 103 degrees, the third week of the month saw temperatures much lower than normal and prompted many Iowans to switch on their furnaces. Hillaker says the normal temperature for Iowa in September is 63-point-four degrees. As for rainfall, the statewide average is just under four inches for September. This past month, the average was only about half that at 2-point-1 inches.Hillaker says it’s the eighth consecutive September in which Iowa has had drier than normal weather for the month. As for the month ahead, Hillaker predicts October won’t hold much relief for our lawns and gardens. While he predicts October may be slightly drier than normal, he says it’s also in the cards for the state to see lower-than-normal temperatures.
