Weather Forecast:

• Big winter cooldown coming this weekend with lows in the teens and highs in the upper 20s-low 30s
• Potential snowfall of 1-5 inches across northern Iowa Saturday into Sunday
• Temperatures warming back to the 50s early next week
• Leaning warmer and slightly wetter pattern continues in 8-14 day outlook (Nov 13-19)

Historical Weather:

• Looking back at the November 6, 1990 snowstorm that brought up to 8.5 inches of snow and a record low of -1°F

Recent Conditions:

• Six consecutive weeks of above-average temperatures ended with near-normal conditions at the end of October
• Western Iowa received a quarter of its monthly precipitation in just two days
• Fall foliage peaked with recent windy conditions

Specialty Crop Impacts:

• Urgent: Harvest root crops (carrots, beets, radishes) before weekend freeze
• Protect lettuce with low tunnels; spinach and garlic can withstand cold
• Venting strategies for high and low tunnels to prevent moisture buildup and acclimate crops to cold
• Plant garlic now if you haven't already
• Tips on heating high tunnels for winter production

Looking Ahead: The podcast moves to a monthly schedule for the winter with the next episode on Wednesday, December 3rd.

• Historical Weather: On October 23, 1908, southwestern Iowa received significant early snowfall—up to 11 inches in Clarinda
• Current Frost Event: 57 of 160-200 weather stations recorded temperatures at or below 32°F this week, though not considered meteorologically "widespread"
• Weather Forecast: Stable pattern for next few days, then rain chances Sunday night through Tuesday (0.5-1+ inches expected across most of the state)
• Temperature Outlook: Warmer than normal for late October/early November; synoptic-scale flow patterns emerging
• Climate Prediction Center: Slight warm signal and near-normal precipitation for Oct 30-Nov 5; Iowa is in climatologically driest time of year
• Frost Timing Discussion: Average first 32°F freeze occurs early October in northern Iowa, mid-October in central Iowa, and late October in southern Iowa—this year's frost came slightly later than average
• Crop Updates: Time to harvest sweet potatoes after frost damage; garlic planting research shows August 30 plantings can yield better than traditional Halloween planting
• Winter Outlook: La Niña conditions suggest increased variability with potential for polar vortex outbreaks, especially in second half of January and February; Minnesota may see patterns similar to 2013-2014 winter
• Snowfall Predictions: Team made guesses for first 1-inch snowfall at Des Moines airport (average date: Nov 26-Dec 3)

summary generated using claude.ai

Weather History & Current Conditions

• Historical note: In 1950, Des Moines saw a 14° temperature spike in 5 minutes during a thunderstorm, reaching 87° due to prefrontal warming
• Current forecast: Cold front Friday with showers/thunderstorms, then cooler temps - returning to seasonal averages (mid-60s highs, upper-40s lows)

Frost Watch

• Only 5 Iowa stations have hit freezing so far (Elkader, Sioux Center at 31°, Stanley, Spencer and Mason City at 32°)
• No widespread frost or freeze expected through end of October
• Growers advised to protect tender crops like basil during low-40s temperatures

Precipitation & Long-Range Outlook

• Southwestern Iowa received 3 inches of rain (nearly a month's worth)
• Winter outlook shows classic La Niña pattern: leaning cold in northwest Iowa, wet in eastern Iowa for December-February
• Warmth persisting through end of October with near-normal precipitation

Specialty Crop Updates

• Root crop harvest underway
• Spinach showing Cladosporium (fungal disease) in high tunnels—venting recommended
• Resources shared: eGRO water testing guide, corn earworm management in cut flowers

Upcoming Events

• Albert Lea Seed cover crop show next Friday in Ames
• High tunnel short course November 12th at Iowa Arboretum featuring Becca Rudebusch, Dan Sheild, Brian Krug, and Natalie Hoidal

summary generted using claude.ai

This Day in Iowa Weather History:

• 1970 early season snowstorm brought 5.1 inches to Sioux City - their earliest 1+ inch accumulation on record

Current Weather Forecast:

• Slight warm-up through the weekend with above-average temperatures
• Isolated chance of showers/thunderstorms overnight and late Saturday into Sunday
• No widespread frost expected through at least October 24th

Climate Outlook:

• 8-14 day outlook: leaning warmer and slightly wetter
• October outlook: warmer with equal chances for precipitation
• La Niña Advisory issued - conditions present and expected to persist through December 2025-February 2026
  • La Niña typically means drier/warmer falls and potential for more winter cold air outbreaks

Recent Weather Notes:

• Past week saw summer-like temperatures 12-16°F above normal
• Statewide average of 72°F (14.7°F above normal)
• Cold front October 5th brought localized heavy rain (1.5-2.5 inches in diagonal band from southwest to northeast Iowa)

Specialty Crop Impacts:

• Fall warmth accelerating fall crop growth (lettuce, etc.)
• Extended season benefiting delayed summer plantings
• Discussion of rice growing in Minnesota and overwintering onion planting strategies
• Tips on managing fall-planted flowers to avoid early flowering

Upcoming Events:

• High Tunnel Short Course - November 12th at Iowa Arboretum, Madrid, IA (registration now open)
  • Topics: high tunnel peach production, transplant watering strategies, high tunnel soil health management
• Impact Squared Virtual Visioning Activity - November 6th, 6-7:30 PM
  • Help inform climate tool development for small-scale and specialty crop farmers
  • $100 Amazon gift card for participants

Bonus Weather Fact:

• First EF5 tornado in over 12 years confirmed in North Dakota (June 2025) - last one was Moore, Oklahoma in May 2013

podcast summary generated using Claude.ai

Weather History & Forecast:

• 1942: Early snowfall hit Iowa on this date, with up to 4 inches accumulating in some areas
• Coming week: Unseasonably warm and dry with sunny days, temperatures above normal
• Extended outlook: Strong warm signal through early October, particularly in upper Midwest

Recent Weather:

• Past week: 8-12 degrees above average statewide
• First above-average rainfall period in weeks (with the highest, 4.54", in Fort Dodge!)
• Eastern Iowa remained drier than western areas

Specialty Crop Updates:

• Peppers: Good yields continuing due to warm weather; some cyclamen/broad mite issues observed in Newton area
• Carmen peppers: Unusual spiciness reported - growers advised to check
• Melons: Reduced solar radiation from cloudy, wet summer conditions may have contributed to poor season (theory posited by Jordan Lyon, Buser's Produce)
• Tomatoes: Splitting issues due to uneven rainfall patterns

Frost Outlook:

• No widespread frost expected through October 11th based on dew point forecasts
• Warm, dry conditions may still allow nighttime cooling near normal levels

Upcoming Events:

• October 4: Nut Growers of Iowa field day (Centerville/Ottumwa)
• October 7: Shimek Forestry field day (southeast Iowa)
• October 9: Yellow River Forestry field day (northeast Iowa)

Greenhouse/High Tunnel Tip:

• Control weeds now to prevent pest and disease carryover through winter

Podcast Summary generated using claude.ai

• Historical Weather Moment: In 1912, Iowa experienced extreme weather swings from 104°F heat to snow flurries within just 9 days in September

• Current Forecast: Unsettled weather with cut-off low pressure system bringing increased precipitation chances, potential storms with wind and small hail, but overall benign conditions

• 8-14 Day Outlook: "Red bullseye" over Iowa and Minnesota indicating high likelihood of above-normal temperatures (mid-upper 70s vs normal) through September 30th

• Recent Weather Events: Northern Iowa hit with 1+ inch hail reports across multiple counties; Fort Dodge area received 4+ inches of rainfall; most of central Iowa remained dry

• Summer Glory Index Results: Iowa's meteorological summer rated as "fine" with SGI of 1420, held back primarily by July's high dew points and overnight lows; only 3 days reached 100°F in Western Iowa

• Fall Foliage Prediction: Favorable conditions for vibrant fall colors with warm days, cool nights, and sunshine; early color changes already spotted on individual tree branches

• Specialty Crop Update: Poor pumpkin harvest continues due to fruit set issues and rot problems; fall brassicas showing alternaria from earlier wet conditions but later plantings look strong; fall carrots performing well

Summary generated using Claude.ai

• Hot and dry conditions ahead with temperatures in low-mid 90s and heat index values in mid-upper 90s

• 8-14 day outlook shows continued warmth into late September with slight chance for above normal precipitation

• ENSO update: 71% chance of La Niña transition October-December, signaling potential warm and dry fall/winter

• Chilly temperatures that felt great after a hot summer

• Mostly dry conditions with under 0.4 inches for most of the state

• First freeze of season recorded at Stanley, Iowa (32°F on September 7th)

• Pumpkins: Strong auction prices ($5-10 vs typical $2-3) but poor growing season with fruit set issues

• Cucumbers: Cold damage causing unmarketable scarring at Featherstone Farm

• Melons: Season ended 6+ weeks early, creating H-2A labor contract challenges for growers

• Watermelons: Poor year especially in low-lying areas due to fruit rot

• Flowers: Mixed reports - Rose Farm had great year, others experienced delays

• Honey production: Drastically reduced to 1/5 of expected yields, indicating widespread pollinator issues

• September 11, 1917: Earliest freeze on record hit eastern Iowa with temperatures as low as 30°F, causing considerable damage to corn, potatoes, and other late crops

• Summer Glory Index results and fall foliage outlook

Podcast summary generated using Claude.ai

• Iowa Weather History (1989): Large thunderstorms brought heavy rain to western Iowa with severe weather and brief tornadoes, causing wind damage, roof damage, and trees falling on cars
• 7-Day Forecast: Cool autumn weather with clear skies and below-average temperatures; best rain chances on days 4-6 due to Atlantic activity and shifted Bermuda high
• Climate Outlook: September 9-13 shows slightly warmer temperatures and higher precipitation chances in western Iowa; monthly outlook suggests equal temperature chances and wetter conditions statewide

• Past Week: Most of Iowa received below-normal rainfall (0.5" below average), except western/southwestern Iowa which saw above-average amounts
• Cold Snap: Some locations hit around 40°F, causing potential localized damage to sensitive plants like basil but not widespread frost damage
• Summer 2025 Overview: 10th wettest summer in 153 years with 18.5" total precipitation (5" above average); July was 2nd wettest on record; August was drier at 3.4" (0.75" below average)

• Seasonal Pattern: Heavy dews occur in late August/early September due to shorter daylight hours and cooling surface temperatures
• Science: Earth radiates heat overnight while warm air masses remain overhead, reaching dew point and creating heavy condensation
• Crop Impact: Wet leaves from heavy dews can promote foliar pathogens and crop decline

• Foxtail Grass Seeds: Grower concerned about viability of mowed green foxtail; recommended germination testing with moist paper towel method
• Compost Management: While beneficial, compost can raise soil pH and create phosphorus excess due to 1:1:1 N-P-K ratio; rule of thumb: 1% organic matter = 20 lbs nitrogen per season
• Nitrogen in Rainfall: Addressed grower question about delayed flower blooming; rainfall contains minimal nitrogen (0.5-3 mg/L) compared to irrigation water nitrate levels (10+ mg/L); plant greening after rain is primarily due to improved nutrient availability from soil moisture, not atmospheric nitrogen
• Cover Crops: Good timing now for oats and peas establishment; winter rye timing approaching; recommend seeding when rainfall is expected

Episode Summary created by Claude.ai

Weather Forecast & Conditions:

• Cold front moving south from Minnesota will stall over Iowa, bringing rain chances Friday-Sunday
• Expected rainfall: up to 1-1.5 inches in northwest Iowa, less than 0.5 inches elsewhere
• Cool temperatures continuing into early September (50-60% chance of below normal temps)
• First overnight lows in the 40s recorded this past week

Historical Weather Note:

• August 28, 1979: Violent F3-F4 tornado tracked 45 miles across southwestern Iowa, killing 2 people and causing millions in damage

Growing Season Challenges:

• One grower called this "the worst growing season in recent memory" due to excessive rain and heat
• Watermelon season ending 1.5 months early due to persistent rainfall (14 inches over 2-3 weeks)
• Widespread crop diseases including Phytophthora on pumpkins, pepper anthracnose, bacterial spot, and southern rust on sweet corn

Specialty Crop Impacts:

• Cut flower growers dealing with high soil pH (7.7) and nutrient leaching
• Recommendations to remove diseased peppers to prevent further spread
• Discussion of sprayer technology resources for disease management

Looking Ahead:

• Hope for warm, dry fall to help struggling crops mature
• Next week will feature meteorological summer season review and in 2 weeks, the Summer Glory Index results

Podcast summary generated using Claude.ai

• Historic perspective: August 21, 2004 saw unusually cool temps (upper 30s) in northern Iowa - opposite of current conditions
• Hot summer analysis: July averaged 2°F above normal with exceptional humidity (85% of days had above-average dew points)
• Heat index impact: Triple-digit heat index values driven more by high dew points (upper 70s-low 80s) than air temperatures
• Moisture source: Gulf moisture "gate wide open" with southerly winds bringing exceptional humidity to upper Midwest

• Weekend cooldown: Dramatic temperature drop to highs in 70s, overnight lows in upper 40s-mid 50s
• Extended outlook: Southeastern Iowa likely colder late August, September outlook shows warm/dry trend
• Precipitation: Minimal rainfall expected (0.1-0.25") with best chance Friday night into Saturday
• La Niña watch: Potential fall development could affect late October/November weather patterns

• Disease issues: Rhizoctonia root rot affecting snapdragons; tomato brown rugose fruit virus causing uneven ripening
• Pest spotlight: European corn borer infesting dahlia stems and peppers - biological control with Trichogramma wasps recommended
• Growing challenges: Excessive moisture limiting planting windows; late-planted fall crops struggling to establish
• Crop performance: Good pepper year for some growers, but eggplant and tomato fruit set suffering from heat stress

• Penn State cut flower production newsletter
• Utah State University cut flower resources