The statewide average was 3.2 inches of moisture, about one-half inch above normal for the month. Hillaker says the southeast two-thirds to three-quarters of the state saw above average rainfall, while the northwest and far north-central areas of the state were below normal in precipitation and in some case far below what they normally average.
The wetter conditions in October came with cooler temperatures. He says the state averaged about two degrees cooler than usual. “Was actually our third consecutive cooler than normal month which followed a period 10 warmer than normal months that went from October of 2011 up through July of 2012,” Hillaker says.
“So we’ve been on a cooler streak, which is basically what we’d like to see when we’re trying to get out of a drought situation. It means less evaporation, less drying out of that limited moisture that we have.” November will start out dry, but Hillaker says could be a warmer than normal month.
“It may also be wetter than normal as well…looks to be a fairly good chance that we’ll be in a warmer and wetter pattern before too much longer,” according Hillaker. There is a slight chance of rain and snow showers from late tomorrow night into Sunday for parts of Iowa.
By Pat Powers, KQWC, Webster City