The cold spell we’re in now may seem colder because of the warm temperatures Iowa enjoyed through much of November.
State Climatologist Harry Hillaker says there were highs and lows, but overall November was mild. Iowa averaged about three-and-a-half degrees above normal for the month, with things way above normal the 20th through the 27th.
Hillaker says the warmer weather came along with dry conditions that were overall about one-half inch below normal. Average is one-point-seven-nine inches. He says far western Iowa was much drier than normal, while the far eastern part of the state was wetter than normal.
Hillaker says there was only one snowstorm of major significance in November, coming on the 10th.
One year ago there were some severe storms in Iowa that spawned tornadoes, but Hillaker says there wasn’t anything that really stood out this year. Hillaker says the only thing that stands out were the wide contrasts in temperatures, such as November 8th when temperatures were in the 80’s on in Spencer, and two days later there was snow on the ground the next day.
Hillaker says 2006 will rank as the 39th warmest and 51st wettest November among 134 years of state records.