• [00:00:42] This day in Iowa weather history: a late freeze in 1928 brought 32°F lows to Decorah and frost across the state
• [00:01:22] Weekend forecast: a break from the heat is coming, but severe weather is likely — enhanced risk (3 of 5) for much of Iowa, with 3–5 inches of rain possible in the southern third of the state
• [00:03:15] Climate outlook 6–10 days (June 15–19): 60–70% chance of below-normal temperatures for northern Iowa
• [00:04:24] Climate outlook 8–14 days (June 17–23): continued slight chance of below-normal temps; slightly wetter conditions expected; slight risk of heavy precipitation for eastern Iowa, Illinois, and Missouri
• [00:06:22] Past week recap: eastern Iowa saw 3½ inches above-normal rainfall; statewide temperatures ran 4–10 degrees above normal
• [00:07:49] Extreme data points of the week: high of 95°F at Sioux City; 5.9 inches of rain in Russell (Lucas County); dew points hitting 79°F at Osceola
• [00:09:57] Weather explainer: what is the boundary layer, and why doesn't the overnight low always drop to the dew point?
• [00:11:00] Specialty crop update: tomato trellising, weed control, and irrigation underway; poor strawberry yields reported statewide
• [00:12:31] Pest and disease alerts: growth regulator spray drift reports continue (report to IDALS if you see it); bacterial canker detected in a Kalona greenhouse tomato high tunnel; spider mites active in high tunnels
• [00:14:28] Meteorological spring recap: 7th warmest spring on record at 52°F average; near-normal precipitation; 51 tornadoes reported vs. a climatological average of 38

Summary generated by Claude.ai

[00:00:30] This day in Iowa weather history: the devastating 1860 tornado outbreak across central and eastern Iowa that killed at least 134 people and left 2,500 homeless

[00:02:44] Weekly weather forecast: rain chances Thursday and Friday, ¾"–1.5" possible; highs in the 80s, lows in the 60s

[00:03:35] 8–14 day outlook (June 10–16): above-normal temperatures, slightly wetter conditions; slight risk of hazardous temperatures June 10–11

[00:04:08] One-month outlook for June: leaning slightly above-normal temps; equal chances for precipitation

[00:05:57] Last week's weather recap: generally dry across Iowa with spotty pop-up showers; a downburst near Jefferson caused local damage; Missouri Valley led the state with 4.1" of rain

[00:08:53] Rapid onset drought risk warning for parts of eastern and northeastern Iowa

[00:09:37] Last week's temperature extremes: high of 95°F at Sioux City; lows of 47°F at multiple stations

[00:09:56] Data quality spotlight: investigating a suspicious 25°F low temperature reading

[00:11:15] Specialty crop update: leafhopper and hopper burn emerging in potatoes; Colorado potato beetle populations ramping up

[00:13:11] Managing thrips in flowers and onions; overview of organic and conventional control options including Captiva Prime as a novel tank mix

[00:15:48] Pesticide rotation strategies to prevent resistance in thrips and Colorado potato beetles

[00:17:59] Aster leafhopper and aster yellows: MSU infectivity alert now at 4%; crops to watch include garlic, flowers, and lettuce

[00:18:50] Strawberry pests: thrips damage and tarnished plant bug as the primary cause of cat-faced fruit

[00:19:22] Garlic scape management: timing of removal, yield impacts, and research exploring mowing as an option for large scale removal

[00:22:01] Upcoming event: Controlled Environments Short Course in Ames, Iowa in three weeks

summary generated using Claude.ai

• [00:00:52] On this day in Iowa weather history: 6.5 inches of rain fell in 2½ hours in Wesley, Kossuth County on May 25–26, 1991, damaging 80% of homes
• [00:01:22] Week-ahead forecast: Sunny skies, temperatures in the 80s, quiet storm track — little to no precipitation expected
• [00:02:01] 8-to-14-day outlook (valid June 2–8): Below-normal precipitation and above-normal temperatures likely across Iowa
• [00:02:59] Climate normals reminder: Average highs low-to-mid 70s, overnight lows in the 50s, ~1¼–1½ inches of rain per week
• [00:03:24] No weather hazards identified for the Midwest in the 8-to-14-day period
• [00:03:31] Past week recap: Northwest Iowa received up to 3 inches of rain; eastern and northeastern Iowa remained dry
• [00:03:59] Observed extremes since last episode: High of 95°F at Sioux City; low of 25°F at Northwood (pending verification); wettest station was Sanborn (2.49"); zero rainfall reported across much of eastern Iowa
• [00:05:07] Specialty crop update: Iowa Valley RC&D dealing with a mower PTO breakdown ahead of cover crop termination
• [00:05:58] Heated tomato greenhouse success: John Schrock (Bloomfield) reports 4 weeks of harvest, selling 1,000 lbs at $3/lb at the Southern Iowa Produce Auction
• [00:06:37] Seed germination alert: Candy Bell grape tomato variety reporting widespread germination failures — contact your seed supplier for a possible refund
• [00:07:20] FSMA update: FDA inspectors are visiting farms in person (not just calling) to verify qualified exempt status — growers report the process is straightforward and educational

Summary generated by claude.ai

00:00:35 Iowa weather history: May 1892 flooding and rare late-season snow/sleet event

00:01:17 Weekly forecast: Cooler with rain chances Thu–Fri, warming into Memorial Day weekend

00:01:40 Rainfall outlook: Light to moderate precipitation, heaviest in southwest Iowa

00:02:03 Frost update: No widespread frost, but isolated 32°F readings reported

00:02:20 8–14 day outlook: Strong signal for above-normal temperatures; slightly drier east, near-normal west

00:03:37 3–4 week outlook: Continued warm trend; mostly equal precipitation chances, slightly wetter southwest

00:04:27 El Niño discussion: Likely developing soon (82% chance), high confidence by late summer–winter

00:05:20 El Niño impacts: Weak summer correlation; possible cooler, slightly wetter Upper Midwest summers

00:08:37 Shift from ONI to RONI: New index accounts for broader ocean trends and climate change effects

00:12:22 Historical reclassification: Past El Niño events adjusted under new RONI metric

00:14:16 Recent weather recap: Active severe weather week with storms, hail, wind, and tornadoes

00:15:47 Storm impacts: 23 EF1 tornadoes, widespread wind events, heaviest activity in northwest and southwest Iowa

00:17:32 Weekly extremes: High 95°F (Sioux City), low 32°F (Emmetsburg, Sac City), heavy rainfall in Mount Ayr

00:18:00 Record rainfall: Mount Ayr logs wettest May on record with over 12 inches

00:19:34 CoCoRaHS discussion: Importance of dense rain gauge networks for accurate data and decision-making

00:22:43 Peak wind gust: 88 mph recorded in Correctionville

00:23:48 Crop planting tips: Peppers, eggplant, cucurbits, marigolds, and strawberry plug timing

00:25:31 Pest update: Low flea beetles in some areas; cucumber beetles and onion thrips active

00:26:07 Field conditions: Wet soils aiding crops but increasing weeds; cultivation timing important

00:26:19 Cover crop management: Winter rye termination strategies and timing considerations

00:27:17 Herbicide drift case: Damage to asparagus; guidance on reporting incidents to IDALS

00:28:44 Greenhouse issue: Edema in tomatillos from high humidity, not disease

00:29:12 Watermelon pollination: Grafted pollenizers improve survival and pollination success

00:30:16 SWD update: Parasitoid wasps potentially established in Minnesota

00:30:54 Disease note: Bacterial soft rot observed in lettuce after heavy rains

00:31:32 Events: Weed Control Field Day (MN) and TekFlex (MI) highlighted

00:32:11 Additional content: "Pivot Points" episode on farmer civic engagement released

Podcast Summary generated using perplexity.ai

[00:00:38] This day in Iowa weather history — a rare late-season snowfall in Des Moines on May 13th, 1918

[00:01:24] Short-term forecast — warm and active week ahead, with storm chances building through days 4–6 and 1.5–2" of rainfall possible for much of the state

[00:02:58] Temperature outlook — 60s early in the week rising to the upper 80s by Friday through Sunday

[00:04:06] Long-term temperature outlook (6–14 days) — continued warmer than normal signal through May 26th

[00:05:06] Long-term precipitation outlook — slight elevated chance May 18–22, tapering to near-normal (approximately 1"/week) through May 26th

[00:06:06] Past week in review — dry, cool, and quiet; statewide average precipitation just 0.03"; Sioux City the week's high (87°F) and low (22°F)

[00:08:20] Specialty crop spotlight — why now is the right time to plant tomatoes

[00:08:50] Pest watch — Colorado potato beetle management strategies, including organic and physical removal methods

[00:11:27] Pest watch continued — aphids and thrips in high tunnels

[00:11:56] Farm observation — herbicide drift damage (2,4-D/Dicamba) identified in a high tunnel; what to look for

[00:13:39] Farm observation continued — potyvirus identified in a tunnel tomato plant; management and spread risk via aphids

[00:14:35] Pre-rain field tasks — cultivating, planting, irrigating, and uncovering warm-season crops

[00:15:06] Upcoming event — University of Minnesota weed control cultivation field day at Featherstone Farm, Rushford, MN, May 27th, 9am–3:30pm (free, registration required)

[00:15:58] Pivot Points podcast — new Season 2 episodes on farmers and civic engagement

Podcast Summary generated using claude.ai

• [00:00:26] On this day in Iowa weather history: 7 tornadoes touched down in Iowa on May 7, 1964, causing significant damage and injuries in northeastern Iowa
• [00:00:59] 7-day forecast: Quiet, seasonal stretch ahead with temps in the 60s–70s; minimal rainfall statewide (up to 1/4" in southeast Iowa Saturday night)
• [00:01:39] Field work update: Central Iowa behind due to wet spring; northwest Iowa drier and further along, but dealing with drought conditions and freeze damage to early-planted soybeans
• [00:02:51] Frost outlook: No significant frost expected; coldest nights are Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday with lows in the mid-30s in northern Iowa
• [00:04:21] Extended outlook (8–14 days): Warmer-than-average temperatures expected May 12–16; near-normal rainfall
• [00:05:12] Monthly May outlook: Leaning warm for the second half of the month; overall lean dry for May following the 6th wettest April on record in 154 years
• [00:07:20] Past week's weather notables: Lake Park recorded 3.79" of rain; statewide temps ran 3.2°F below average; high of 86°F in Davenport, low of 23°F at Spencer Municipal Airport; 70 stations hit 32°F or below
• [00:09:01] Specialty crop impacts: Wilson's Orchard (near Des Moines) running frost protection on strawberries and apples; king blossoms blackened by a drop to 24°F; lower-than-expected apple fruit set possibly due to poor pollination conditions
• [00:11:51] Grape damage: Randall Vos reports significantly worse frost damage to grapes in eastern Iowa vs. western Iowa; topography played a major role
• [00:12:32] Thrips update: Western flower thrips confirmed in apple blossoms in western Iowa; high onion thrips numbers also reported; possible link to warm, dry winter under investigation
• [00:16:07] Planting recommendations: Good window opening for melon transplants, winter squash, zucchini, cucurbits, and possibly basil; wait another 1–2 weeks for peppers
• [00:17:43] Low tunnel flower report ahead of Mother's Day: Iceland poppies and dianthus blooming reliably
• [00:19:23] Pest alert: Flea beetles already present in Iowa — earlier than the VDIFN forecasting tool indicated; Dan plans to follow up with UW Extension on proper tool usage

summary generated using claude.ai

• [00:00:41] This day in Iowa weather history: The cold and snowy spring of 1907, linked to the eruption of the Ksudach volcano in eastern Russia
• [00:01:45] This week's forecast: A welcome break from active weather with temperatures reaching the 60s and 70s, mostly sunny skies, and high pressure taking hold
• [00:02:33] Frost advisory alert: Chances of frost Thursday and Friday nights, with lows near 32°F in northern Iowa
• [00:04:27] 8 to 14 day outlook (May 6–12): Below-normal temperatures and below-normal precipitation expected statewide
• [00:05:29] 3 to 4 week outlook (May 9–22): Continued below-normal temperatures; slight lean toward above-normal precipitation
• [00:06:09] Hazard watch: Slight risk of below-normal temperatures May 8–10, coinciding with the Mother's Day planting window
• [00:07:38] Last week's weather recap: Rainfall verified across Iowa, with some areas receiving over 2.5 inches
• [00:08:48] Severe weather recap: 10 tornado reports on April 23rd, primarily in western, south-central, and central Iowa, plus hail and high wind reports
• [00:10:21] Specialty crop planting recommendations for this week: Greens, carrots, beets, potatoes, brassicas, Swiss chard, fennel, and lettuce successions
• [00:11:08] Greenhouse starting tips: Lettuce and sweet corn successions; start melons now for post-May 10th transplanting
• [00:11:59] Pest updates: Imported cabbage worm confirmed; flea beetles still weeks away but currently emerged in central Missouri
• [00:12:40] Field management: Get cultivation done as soon as field surfaces dry out; begin tillage for future beds when further drying happens
• [00:12:53] Grower report — Garlic: Crop failure in unmulched beds linked to root rot (Fusarium?); mulched garlic faring well
• [00:14:26] Grower report — Onion thrips: Thrips found on black plastic mulch before transplanting, possibly harbored in nearby garlic plantings
• [00:15:41] Call for speakers: Seeking growers and researchers for the Organic Vegetable Production Conference and High Tunnel Short Course

• 00:00:33 Madelynn returns from maternity leave—baby Lucille (Lucy) born Jan 21 (9 days late), quick hospital stay, family support, travel to 4 states; transitioning to part-time (30 hrs/wk, 3 office days, reachable Thu/Fri).

• 00:02:48 On this day in Iowa history: 1870 Estherville Vindicator first used "blizzard" for weather (earliest known); etymology from 19th-century US (violent blow/gunshot to storm, Midwest 1870s-80s).

• 00:04:33 7-day forecast: Severe today (tornado/squall risk west IA, slight risk); storms Sun-Mon; 1.5+ inches rain (frontal north, convective SE/SW); cooler than recent warm spell.

• 00:06:18 6-10/8-14 day outlook: Below-normal temps (highs upper 50s-low 60s N-S, lows mid/upper 30s N to 40s S); mixed precip, slight above-normal south in 6-10 days.

• 00:08:00 Past week: Apr 17 severe (4 IA tornadoes NE/E, high winds E, large hail central/south-central); weekend cold front/freeze; recent warm-up (89°F Mapleton/Sioux City); field work 2.7 days avg statewide.

• 00:15:08 Specialty crops—field work: Seize windows for tillage/plastic mulch/cultivation (weeds up); plant potatoes/broccoli/cauliflower/cabbage/lettuce/snapdragons/salads; delay tomatoes/peppers/basil; propagate late transplants.

• 00:17:30 Pests: Seed corn/cabbage/onion maggots advancing (row cover onions); CO potato beetle in south IA; imported cabbageworm peaking (cover/spray brassicas); thrips rising (onions, apples, flowers, peonies).

• 00:20:17 Field reports: Sweet corn cold damage uneven/recoverable; strawberry blooms covered, stagger via mulch/varieties (Purdue article); onion thrips strategies (cover then spray?); apple thrips (Grandevo/Delegate/Radiant options).

podcast summary generated using perplexity.ai

What in the Weather: Iowa Weather and Specialty Crops Update - April 16, 2026

• 00:00:13 - Intro and This Day in Iowa Weather History: Iowa weather history from April 16, 1967, including an F3 tornado, large hail, fatalities, and historic dust storms the next day.

• 00:02:10 - Short-Term Forecast: Discussion of severe weather risks through Friday, followed by cooler weekend temps with freeze potential Saturday night, transitioning to sunny, quiet conditions next week.

• 00:04:02 - Extended Outlook: 8-14 day forecast shows near-normal temps and leaning wet; 3-4 week leans cooler/wetter; initial May outlook neutral, hinging on late April patterns like West Coast ridging.

• 00:05:44 - Wind and Recent Events: Confirmation of elevated winds April 16-20 (gusts to 30 mph Saturday), recent severe weather (hail dominant in eastern Iowa), tornadoes (11 in north, 5 in east), temp extremes (89°F high, 20°F low), and heavy rain (top-5 wettest April in parts).

• 00:12:09 - Specialty Crop Impacts: Wind damage reports (chicken tractors, center pivots); proactive field prep at Sun Dog Farm (plastic mulch, straw paths); advanced phenology (garlic, strawberries blooming); Cornucopia Farm tunnel recovery and expansions.

• 00:18:20 - Fruit Crops Update (Randall Vos): Area-specific bud stages (peaches/plums past bloom, pears full bloom, apples pink tip, grapes swelling); low freeze concern at 32-33°F but watch low spots; damage signs (black pistils, black centers); variety hardiness notes.

Summary generated using perplexity.ai

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