Statewide Iowa — The 2021 weather year wasn’t one that will end up at the top of the list when it comes to extremes — but there were a few numbers and events to note.
State Climatologist, Justin Glisan, says precipitation was two or three inches below normal overall.
He says 2021 came after a very dry 2020. Some areas caught up by the end of the year — while others continue to see rainfall deficits.
One thing 2021 didn’t have was a lot of severe weather — but there were major tornado outbreaks in July and with the serial derecho in December.
Glisan says the December derecho is an event that will be studied for some time. He says the lack of severe weather tied in with the dry conditions.
He says the temperature situation was a little unusual as well.
December alone saw temperatures average 32 degrees — which is six-and-a-half degrees above normal. Temperatures rose into the 70s on some days in December.
