What in the Weather | Episode Summary — April 9, 2026

• [00:00:28] On this day in Iowa weather history: the 2007 Easter freeze cold wave event (April 3–10) and its impacts on winter wheat, blooming fruits, and emerging corn across the Central Plains and Midwest.

• [00:02:44] Seven-day weather forecast for Iowa: an active, warm, and wet pattern with multiple storm systems, a 15% chance of severe thunderstorms on days five through seven, and potential rainfall totals of one to five inches across the state.

• [00:05:08] Extended outlook: active and wet conditions expected to continue through the second half of April, with a slight risk of high winds between the 16th and 20th.

• [00:06:35] Recap of last week's weather: statewide average of 2.3 inches of rainfall, wind gusts up to 60 mph in Carroll, and why last week's severe weather outlook didn't fully materialize.

• [00:10:10] Cold temperatures on April 6th: lows of 22°F in northwest Iowa and 38°F in Des Moines — and why Des Moines stayed warmer than forecast.

• [00:11:15] Specialty crop impacts: fruit blossom freeze risk thresholds for peaches, pears, cherries, apples, and grapes, with notes on radiational freezing and earlier December cold damage.

• [00:13:01] Field notes from Dan: snapdragon overwintering results, compost tea injection troubleshooting for drip irrigation systems, and a significant greenhouse crop loss at Grade A Gardens during the recent blizzard.

• [00:16:25] Grower spotlight: cut flower farmer Jeff Morrow of Two Morrow's Acres discusses heat stress on cool-season crops, early blooming ranunculus and delphinium, and the tulip festival outlook for Pella and Orange City.

• [00:18:21] Announcements: upcoming FSMA water rule webinar next Wednesday 4/15, and an organic inspector job opening at IDALS (applications open through April 28th).

Podcast Summary generated using Claude.ai