The state of Iowa, on average, received one-and-a-quarter inches of precipitation in November. State Climatologist Harry Hillaker says that’s nearly a full inch below normal for the month – a welcome change from the record setting rainfall in October.
Nearly all of the precipitation last month came in the form of rain. “Just a handful of sites had any measurable snow at all,” Hillaker said. “It ties for our least snowiest November on record across Iowa, along with several other Novembers that also had statewide averages with only a trace of snow during the month.”
During a typical November, Iowa receives an average of 3.5 inches of snow. November 2009 was also unusual in terms of temperatures with a statewide average of nearly 44 degrees. November was almost warmer than October. Hillaker says, normally, November is usually about 15 degrees colder than October. This year, it was just 1.4 degrees colder.
The warmest November in Iowa history was recorded in 2001, when the average temperature was 47.9 degrees. Despite the cold weather forecast this week, Hillaker’s prediction for December includes warmer than normal temps. “The general outlook for December, and this is based almost entirely on the fact that we’re in a so-called El Nino weather event right now, would favor a warmer than normal month,” Hillaker said.
No significant snowfall’s in the short term forecast, but Hillaker believes the state could receive a “normal amount” of snow in December – about six to seven inches.