Sheldon, Iowa — The just ended month of October was warmer and drier than normal across Iowa. State climatologist Harry Hillaker says the statewide average rainfall total for the month was one-and-three-quarters inches (1.75 inches), about one inch less than usual for October.
Hillaker said this was the 52nd driest October in Iowa in 143 years of record keeping. Most of the month was ideal for farmers who were working to complete the harvest.
Hillaker said many areas of central and southern Iowa have yet to record a hard freeze this fall. There was a range of 72 degrees between temperature “extremes” across Iowa last month.
While Sheldon didn’t get as warm as Sioux City, we did experience a high of 85-degrees on October 11th, with the lowest temperature measured at the KIWA Weather Center being 28-degrees, which came a week later.
Hillaker says the month of November is starting off dry and warm — as highs are forecast to reach the 70s again today and tomorrow. Showers and much cooler conditions are expected to push into the state Thursday and Friday.
