Rains during the past month made for the wettest October in the state since 1984 and the fourth wettest October on record. Precipitation numbers were released Thursday by State Climatologist Harry Hillaker.
Iowa received a statewide average of 5.18 inches of rain – 2.66 inches above normal. Hillaker says above average temperatures also prevailed across the state in October. He says it was the warmest October since 1973, however, it only ranks as the 20th warmest October in Iowa history. Only 8 days during the month averaged cooler than normal temperatures.
Hillaker says changes are coming with the turning of the calendar. "The next couple of weeks look to be averaging quite a bit colder than usual for early November," Hillaker says, "and the recent dry weather pattern will continue." Hillaker says the recent dry weather has allowed fields to dry out and farmers to continue the fall harvest.