While scattered showers are in the forecast for much of Iowa over the next several days, dry conditions have worsened. The latest report from the U.S. Drought Monitor shows all or parts of 11 counties in west-central Iowa are now in the D-3 category, which means extreme drought. Last week, no … [Read more...]
Crop specialist expects some yield drop with drought conditions
As drought conditions worsen in western Iowa and spread eastward, it's raising concerns about crop production and the quality of the fall harvest. Mark Licht, a cropping systems specialist at Iowa State University, says while the dry area is expanding, it remains a lesser part of Iowa’s overall … [Read more...]
Corn and soybean conditions drop as dry conditions continue
The dry weather is starting to take its toll on the state's crops. The latest crop report from the U.S.D.A. shows the corn crop overall is rated at 73% good to excellent condition. That's down from 77% last week. The soybean crop saw a slightly smaller drop from 76% rated in good to excellent … [Read more...]
Numbers show a warmer and dry July
With low temperatures this morning in the 40s and 50s across Iowa, it's becoming clear that August could contain a radical shift from the extreme heat of July. State climatologist Justin Glisan says July wrapped up on Friday being much warmer and drier than normal. "Typically, we expect the … [Read more...]
Dry area in western Iowa expands
The new report from the U.S. Drought Monitor shows more counties now showing dry conditions. The Iowa DNR's Tim Hall says the negative outweighs the positive in the report. "We had a little bit of improvement in one part of the state -- but mostly we had degradation or increasing drought in … [Read more...]
Dry areas in western and central Iowa expand
The new report from the National Drought Mitigation Center shows dry conditions worsening in western and central Iowa. State climatologist Justin Glisan says 15 counties are now in what's considered severe drought. "Over the last 30 to 45 days, we've seen a dwindling rainfall, especially across … [Read more...]
Weekend to see sweltering heat once again
Another sweltering July weekend is in the forecast, as high temperatures Saturday across Iowa are expected to climb into the low- to mid-90s with heat indices returning to the triple digits. Mark Mintun, an emergency medical staffer at Van Diest Medical Center in Webster City, says if you're … [Read more...]
La Nina watch issued for next six months
Iowa farmers will want to take note as what's being called a La Nina Watch is being issued by the Climate Prediction Center, which forecasts a possible cooling in the Pacific Ocean's surface over the next six months. Doug Kluck, the regional climate service director for the National Weather … [Read more...]
Crops feeling the heat as many areas remain dry
The extreme heat of July is starting to stress some of Iowa's corn and soybean crops, as conditions vary across the state. Iowa State University Extension field agronomist Angie Rieck-Hinz says much of the corn crop in western Iowa is having a difficult time. "Even the rain we get now is probably … [Read more...]
Calm weather help contribute to air issues on 4th of July weekend
Information from air quality monitors showed several cases where the air quality exceeded the EPA limit for fine particles in the air during the Fourth of July weekend. The DNR's Todd Russell says the state generally does not have such long-term periods where the air exceeds the federal standard. … [Read more...]