• Iowa weather history and forecast for the coming week

  • • Glisan, Justin: "A significant snowstorm in 1928 fell in a wide band across Iowa, with heaviest snow near Mills and Clinton counties."

    • Glisan, Justin: "After a dry November, an active pattern emerged over the last 10 days with snowfall, ending a very dry start to the month."

    • Glisan and Dan discuss the potential for snowfall and warmer temperatures in Iowa, with Glisan highlighting the uncertainty of the timing and location of these events.

    • Dan questions the accuracy of the temperature predictions, citing a previous instance of warmer temperatures than expected.

    • Dan Fillius grows lettuce, cilantro, Hakurei salad turnips, spinach, and overwintering onions in his low tunnels.

    • He differentiates between baby spinach and regular spinach, with baby spinach being younger and planted at a higher density for salad production.

• Much missing here due to AI limitations

• Tracking weather balloons using SondeHub.org

  • Weather balloons are tracked in real-time on a website called SoundHub.org, which aggregates data from people who receive them and shows their historical flights and predictions.

• Weather balloons and their role in forecasting

  • Radio soundings are important for understanding weather patterns, as they provide temperature, pressure, and humidity data from 15-20 miles high.

  • Launches of high-altitude balloons occur twice daily from Valley, Nebraska, and can move across Iowa and Nebraska depending on winds.

• Recovering weather balloons and tracking devices

  • Clint Miller uses a device that listens on 403 megahertz to find weather radiosondes, which are used to collect weather data, and has found 11 of them so far.

  • Clint Miller and other groups are reverse engineering and reprogramming weather radiosondes to use them as trackers for bicycles during marathons.

  • Dan Fillius and Clint discuss the process of recovering weather balloons in the field after they burst and parachute down.

  • Clint Miller found a lost weather balloon and tracked it for 90 days, eventually recovering it.

  • A small group of hobbyists in Central Iowa are actively recovering lost weather balloons and sharing their experiences in a Discord group.

• Weather forecasting, jet streams, and radiosonde data

  • Clint's team uses radiosondes to collect data on temperature and moisture profiles in the atmosphere, which improves forecast accuracy.

  • Glisan and Clint discuss the impact of weather patterns on the location of weather balloons in Iowa, with stronger winds in colder months potentially transporting them further east.

  • Jet streams are fast-moving wind currents in the atmosphere, found at high altitudes and near the poles, which can significantly impact flight routes and times.

• Weather balloons and geocaching with a guest

  • Clint shared his passion for weather balloons, explaining how they fall from the sky and how he and others track them using GPS and other tools.

  • Dan and Clint discussed geocaching, with Dan mentioning an event at a county park in Marshalltown where participants had to find geocaches to receive Halloween treats.

  • Clint recovered a sonde after correctly answering a weather-related question on a Twitter poll.

• Winter weather forecast and record highs/lows.

  • Dan Fillius and Justin Glisan discuss a major winter storm that hit western Iowa in 1997, with heavy snowfall and drifting.

  • The hosts reflect on the impact of heavy wet snow and plummeting temperatures on snow drifts, and Justin Glisan provides a forecast for the upcoming storm.

  • Glisan, Justin: Large scale low pressure system bringing widespread rain and potential snowfall, with temperatures plummeting into early next week.

  • Dan Fillius: Questions about potential record highs and lows, with newer stations potentially setting their own records.

• Iowa weather and crop harvest.

  • Iowa's October precipitation is above average statewide, with some areas receiving more rainfall than others.

  • Farmers in the Midwest are experiencing a mix of heavy rainfall and dry soil, with some areas experiencing drought despite recent rainfall.

  • Temperatures in northern Iowa could drop to lower teens, while southern parts of the state remain in mid-20s.

• Soil temperature, crop protection, and harvesting strategies for frost damage.

  • Dan Fillius discusses protecting crops from cold temperatures, mentioning carrots, lettuce, chard, and kale as particularly vulnerable to damage.

  • Justin Glisan provides insight on soil temperatures at four inches, stating that they are still in the mid to upper 50s across northern Iowa, with some insulation provided by recent moisture.

  • Soil temperature had been particularly dry in North Iowa, which led to a more rapid decrease in soil temperature during the last cool spell.

  • Crops such as broccoli, cauliflower, and brussels sprouts can tolerate cooler temperatures, but harvesting before frost is recommended to prevent limpness.

  • Dan Fillius discusses potential damage to strawberries and fruit crops due to cold snap, recommends mulching or using frost fabric for protection.

• Weather patterns and their impact on temperature.

  • Snowpack in Siberia impacts US weather through albedo and polar vortex oscillations.

  • Snowpack in the US and Siberia could lead to wavier weather patterns in North America this winter.

  • Meteorologist Judah Cohen predicts significant polar vortex outbreak next week.

• El Nino weather patterns and their impact on the Midwest.

  • El Niño outlook for December, January, February shows elevated probabilities of warmer temperatures in upper Midwest and northern states, and unseasonably dry conditions in Montana and Dakotas.

  • El Niño events in the last 3 years have resulted in warmer sea temperatures and less snowfall in Iowa.

  • Climatologist Justin Glisan discusses the challenges of being wrong in meteorology.

• Weather history and current conditions in Iowa

  • Justin Glisan, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship climatologist, discusses recent rainfall and temperature patterns in Iowa

  • 10/12/1899, a record-high temperature of 91 degrees Fahrenheit in Des Moines

  • Dan Fillius expresses disappointment in the radar data availability and requests a link to a higher-resolution radar archive.

• Weather forecasting and thunderstorms in Iowa

  • Forecast shows potential for heavier rain in northern Iowa.

  • Dan Fillius and Justin Glisan discuss the relationship between synoptic and mesoscale weather systems, with a focus on the importance of understanding the nature of thunderstorms in fall.

  • The speakers speculate on the possibility of a study examining the accuracy of QPF forecasts at different points in the season, with a focus on verifying the product's reliability.

• Weather conditions and frost risk in Iowa

  • Des Moines area missed out on rain, while Eastern Iowa and Northern Iowa received more.

  • Dan Fillius advises sweet potato farmers to harvest their crops before soil temperatures drop below 55°F.

  • Dan Fillius and Justin Glisan discuss frost watch and the varying degrees of frost damage across different locations in Iowa, with some areas experiencing more damage than others.

  • Fillius shares his experience of visiting growers in Kalona, where some plants were affected by frost while others were not, highlighting the localized nature of frost damage.

• Climate, solar eclipse, and moisture recharge for agriculture

  • Glisan, Justin: Discusses solar eclipse on Saturday, mentions cloud cover and possibility of seeing the eclipse through a telescope with a solar filter.

  • Dan Fillius: Shares a problem with birds eating chard in gardens, suggests using hoops and bird netting to protect the crop.

  • Glisan: Partly cloudy skies in Kansas for solar eclipse

  • Dan Fillius asks Justin Glisan about the expected soil moisture recharge in a normal year, given a record-breaking winter like last year's.

  • Justin Glisan explains that even with a lot of precipitation, soil profiles can remain frozen at a certain depth unless the profile is thawing, and that wetter soils don't freeze as deep or as fast.

  • Justin Glisan explains that a warmer winter due to El Niño could lead to more precipitation and increased soil moisture, potentially benefiting crops.

  • Dan Fillius wonders if leaving the tarp off until it freezes could help lock in moisture and kill winter weeds, but Justin suggests that snow may not infiltrate well

• Iowa weather and frost potential

  • Justin Glisan and Dan Fillius discuss the weather forecast for Iowa, with a freeze watch issued for northwestern Iowa.

  • Row Crop farmers in northern Iowa may benefit from a killing freeze to kill off remaining green soybean leaves, but a frost of 32°F can also damage specialty crops.

  • Freeze watch issued for northwest Iowa, with potential for frost damage to crops.

  • Basil is particularly tender and can show damage at warmer temperatures, so covering or harvesting early is recommended.

  • Sweet potatoes can take damage from frost, especially if the vines die and break down, so digging them up beforehand can help prevent damage.

  • Dan Fillius explains how grading of produce, including sweet potatoes, has shifted towards smaller sizes due to changing consumer preferences.

• Unseasonably warm autumn weather in Iowa

  • Unseasonally warm temperatures are expected in Iowa, with a slight chance of precipitation in the eastern part of the state.

  • Des Moines area received little rain, with up to half an inch of rain in western Iowa.

  • 1963: Unseasonably hot autumn weather in Iowa in 1963, with some stations setting or breaking temperature records.

• Growing winter vegetables in Iowa with tips for pest management

  • Farmers are seeing faster growth in overwintering crops due to warm temperatures.

  • Dan Fillius advises on timing for harvesting and replanting cool-season crops, and addresses pest management for aphids and voles.

  • Dan Fillius discusses the challenges of growing sweet potatoes and squash, including damage from rodents.

  • Fillius recommends using traps, nematodes, and other methods to control pest populations.

• Soil moisture, frost, and farming strategies

  • Justin Glisan explains how dry soils freeze faster and deeper, with implications for spring thaw and infiltration of moisture.

  • Dan Fillius asks questions and seeks more information on the topic, highlighting the importance of understanding dry soil conditions for farmers.

  • Justin Glisan suggests covering soil with a tarp to retain moisture during winter, but Dan Fillius wonders if this prevents water recharge.

  • Dan Fillius questions the effectiveness of using a tarp for recharge, given the dryness of the winter season

• Unseasonably cold weather in Iowa.

  • Dan Fillius and Justin Glisan discuss Iowa weather history

  • Unseasonably cold weather set records in Iowa in September, with temperatures falling to 15°F at Sheldon and Sibley.

• Weather forecast and drought conditions in Iowa.

  • Fog is expected to form easily in central Iowa due to cooling temperatures at night, with possible rain chances in the next few days.

  • Northeastern Iowa is experiencing exceptional drought, with a pocket of dry conditions along the Minnesota-Wisconsin border.

  • Justin Glisan mentions that 5% of stations in Iowa received anywhere from 300% to 400% of normal precipitation, leading to the removal of a Drought Designation.

  • Dan Fillius discusses the importance of irrigation for farmers in northeast Iowa, as the days are shortening and the growing season is limited.

• Spotted lantern fly infestation and

  • Dan Fillius asks Justin Glisan about the potential spread of the spotted lantern fly from neighboring states, given its recent appearance in the South Chicago area.

  • Justin Glisan is unsure of the migratory pattern of the spotted lantern fly, but notes that it is a concern for grape growers in the area.

  • Dan Fillius and Justin Glisan discuss the potential impact of the US government shutdown on National Weather Service forecasters and hydrologists, who are considered essential workers.

  • Despite the shutdown, the forecasts and modeling will continue, and the National Weather Service employees will do their essential duties to protect life and property, even if they don't get paid for it until later.

• Field scouting for drought monitoring and historical climate data.

  • Justin Glisan describes his field scouting process, including matching up hydrological data with farmers' concerns to provide a more accurate drought picture.

  • Glisan's field scouting helps him understand the longer-term implications of drought on crops and informs his work with the US Drought Monitor.

  • Dan Fillius and Justin Glisan discuss the importance of farmers' observations and written records in understanding long-term drought patterns and their impact on agriculture.

  • Farmers' personal accounts and notes on barn doors and in sheds provide valuable insights into the history of drought in a particular area, offering a "climatology of their own farm."

• Weather patterns and farming practices.

  • Justin Glisan discusses Amish farmer's folklore about the last three days of summer predicting winter weather.

  • Justin and Dan discuss February weather patterns, with a focus on El Niño forecasts and recent snowfall history in certain areas.

• Iowa weather history and tornado outbreak in 1894

  • Dan Fillius and Justin Glisan discuss the recent rainfall in Iowa, with Justin explaining how it was concentrated in the northern half of the state and led to widespread amounts, particularly in the southern half.

  • Justin Glisan shares a historical event in Iowa, specifically a violent tornado outbreak in 1894 that killed 53 people and injured over 200, highlighting the importance of understanding severe weather patterns in the shoulder seasons.

• Weather forecast and seasonal outlook for Iowa

  • Dan Fillius asks Justin Glisan about the weather forecast for the next 7 days, with potential for severe weather on Saturday and a chance of heavy rainfall over a shorter period of time.

  • Justin Glisan provides an update on the October outlook, mentioning that the initial outlook was released yesterday morning and highlighting the potential for moisture in the soils and seeding cover crops.

  • Glisan, Justin: October outlook shows equal chance of warmer temperatures in southern half of Iowa, with slightly elevated chance of wetter conditions in southern two thirds of Iowa.

  • Initial outlook suggests shift towards wetter and possibly cooler conditions in Fall due to El Nino, with potential for more moisture in soil profiles and increased sensible heat.

• Weather forecasting and specialty crops

  • Dan Fillius observes increased risk of anthracnose on peppers due to wet conditions.

  • Temperatures have been near average in northern Iowa, with pockets below average and a slight warming trend over the past 30 days.

• Summer Glory Index and its ranking system

  • Dan Fillius and Justin Glisan discuss the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources' (DNR) summer glory index (SGI), which ranks summers based on temperature, dewpoint, and rainfall.

  • Glisan and Dan discuss summer weather patterns in Iowa, focusing on July and August.

• Summer weather index and its impact on agriculture

  • Justin Glisan: June was the wettest month climatologically for the state, with the 16th driest June on record.

  • Dan Fillius: The overall summer was in the higher end of fine to mostly glorious, with a score of around 1700

  • Justin Glisan and Dan Fillius discuss the SGI index, which might be used as a proxy for drought years in the Midwest, particularly in Minnesota and Iowa.

  • They also discuss the impact of dry, hot summers on human psychology and how it affects our mood and well-being.

• Iowa weather and drought conditions.

  • Justin Glisan: Discusses recent weather events, including hurricanes in the tropics and their potential impact on Iowa.

  • Dan Fillius: Asks Justin about drought records and spring flows in the driftless area, with a focus on the delay or lack of response to the current drought.

  • Glisan, Justin: 1961 was the wettest September ever in southeastern Iowa, with some locations recording their highest precipitation modal totals of any month on record.

  • Glisan, Justin: Ideally, need an inch of rain every week through the end of the year to break drought condition, with at least a quarter inch to half to three quarters of an inch expected in the next 7 days across western Iowa.

• El Nino, hurricane season, and weather forecasts.

  • Dan Fillius and Justin Glisan discuss the upcoming weather forecast for Iowa, with a focus on the potential for warmer temperatures and increased rain chances.

  • They mention that farmers are eager for rain, but the dry conditions are not ideal for harvesting crops like pumpkins and squash.

  • El Niño is expected to persist into 2024, with a top and moderate strong range, suggesting a wetter signal in the middle of meteorological fall.

  • Atlantic sea surface temperatures are not acting like they typically do during strong El Niños, with a lack of wind shear in the environment, allowing hurricanes to develop and intensify more easily.

  • Dan Fillius asks about a potential hurricane impacting the United States, and Justin Glisan explains the location and potential strength of a disturbance in the Atlantic.

  • Dan Fillius and Justin Glisan discuss the drought conditions in the Driftless region of northeast Iowa, including the fact that spring flows are still flowing in the springs despite the drought.

  • Justin Glisan highlights the contrasting drought impacts across Iowa, with Northeastern regions experiencing less severe effects due to aquifers and soil moisture recharge.

• Drought perspectives and records in Iowa.

  • Drought is viewed through various lenses, including meteorological, agricultural, hydrological, and ecological, with different indices used to measure each type of drought.

  • Drought conditions in Iowa are worsening due to slow-moving disaster, with all indicators pointing towards dryness.

  • Glisan, Justin: The current drought is the longest at 168 weeks, with widespread D1-D4 conditions across the state, but crop failure has been less severe than in previous droughts due to timely rainfalls and cooler temperatures. The Dust Bowl is the most devastating drought in US history, with year-after-year arid conditions in the 30s that led to changes in agricultural practices and a focus on preventing similar conditions in the future.

• Natural disasters, carrot disease, and crop health in Iowa.

  • Dan Fillius and Justin Glisan discuss the changing weather patterns and their impact on agriculture, with a focus on soil health and land stewardship.

  • They mention the importance of cover crops and no-till farming in preserving soil quality and mitigating the effects of extreme weather events.

  • Dan Fillius visited a small-scale grower in NE Iowa and observed that some carrots had a foliar disease, while a larger farm with 12 acres of carrots in SE MN did not have the same issue which is good since they harvest by machine.

  • Tomato plants in southeast Minnesota looked great, while those in much of Iowa struggled with disease, highlighting the impact of soil and water conditions on crop health. Septoria leaf spot seen in tomatoes in Decorah

This episode has poor audio quality due to a recording SNAFU, sorry!

• Glorious weather right now
• This Day in Iowa Weather History
• Weekly weather forecast
• Drought Expansion
• Summer 2023 - Meteorological Season in Review
• Wet bias/Dry bias in weather station reporting, Quality Control of weather data
• IDALS CLimatology Bureau has great records on their webpage
• Irrigation makes a difference
• Crop specific notes

• Some daily heat records set in last heatwave
• 1915: Coolest August on record in Iowa.
• Heat coming, but with cooler dew points; Precipitation outlooks - nil
• Melons still looking good, pumpkins close behind
• Heat has caused harvests to bunch up and ruin succession planning
• Statewide - high corn earworm pressure
• ProduceAuctions: how they work

• This week in Iowa weather: 1891 frost and record heat in 1936
• Weather forecast for the coming week.
• How do you calculate the dew point temperature?
• Examining the extremes of Dew Point and "Feels Like"
• Crops are ripening fast now!
• The weather outlook for fall.
• Keep an eye on the precipitation forecast, it might turn wet.