Rainfall in Iowa is a plentiful so far this year as it has been since the record-setting soggy months of 1993. State climatologist Harry Hillaker tracks the numbers. Hillaker says this is the seventh wettest year-to-date for the first three-fourths of the year, with the last time it was this soggy was in 1993. This year we’re about seven inches above normal for rain, and it’s been about one degree above normal temperature wise — ranking as the 44th warmest year so far.
Hillaker says September added to the warmth, but not the rainfall. Temperatures averaged about 2.2 degrees above normal for September, and the rainfall average two inches — six tenths of an inch below normal. While the overall September temperatures averaged above normal, Hillaker says the most unusual weather event was a freeze. Hillaker says the September 15th freeze was the most widespread freeze Iowa has seen since 1902.
A few tornadoes hit the state on the last day of September, but Hillaker says they’ve been an infrequent occurrence. He says it was the first tornadoes in the state since August 28th, and Hillaker says it has been a pretty quiet year for tornadoes. While the first nine months of 2007 have been wetter than normal, Hillaker says it’s hard to make a prediction that the precipitation will continue into the winter months.