(KIWA Staff Photo)Northwest Iowa (Sioux County Radio) — Northwest Iowa received some of the state’s heaviest rainfall last week, with Sioux Center recording 3.05 inches as farmers continued chopping silage and preparing for harvest.
The Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report for the week ending September 6th listed Sioux Center’s total as the highest weekly precipitation anywhere in the state. Statewide rainfall averaged 0.37 inch, well below the normal 0.88 inch, and several southern Iowa stations reported no measurable precipitation.
Despite the rain, the week was dominated by unusually hot weather. Iowa’s average temperature reached 79.8 degrees, or 11.1 degrees above normal, making one of the warmest starts to September on record.
Storms Bring Rain and Strong Winds to Northwest Iowa
Thunderstorms moved into Northwest Iowa after sunset September 1st, with some storms becoming severe and prompting tornado warnings. No tornadoes were observed, but Hawarden recorded an 81-mile-per-hour wind gust.
Rainfall totals from that round included:
- 1.00 inch in Orange City
- 1.72 inches in Rock Rapids
- 2.00 inches in Le Mars
Storms continued across northern and eastern Iowa on September 2nd, with Lake Park reporting 1.12 inches. Another thunderstorm complex entered northwest Iowa before sunrise on September 5th, bringing 1.60 inches to Rock Rapids.
The weekly precipitation map shows a broad band of heavier rainfall across northwest and northern Iowa, with pockets exceeding two inches, while much of southern Iowa remained dry.
Temperature maps also show above-normal readings for northwest Iowa, with the largest departures in southern Iowa. State Climatologist Justin Glisan said that clouds and rainfall helped keep northern Iowa somewhat cooler.
Crop Maturity Trails Last Year
Statewide:
- 17% of corn had reached maturity (7 points behind last year)
- 79% was in the dent stage (1 point ahead)
- 96% had reached the dough stage (unchanged)
Corn condition was rated 77% good to excellent.
For soybeans:
- 6% were dropping leaves (4 points behind last year)
- Condition was rated 75% good to excellent
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig says farmers are actively chopping silage and preparing for harvest as crops continue to dry down.
Farmers had 5.6 days suitable for fieldwork, compared with 6.0 days during the same period last year. Oat harvest was nearly complete, slightly ahead of last year, and pasture condition was rated 64% good to excellent.
Soil Moisture Remains Short In Some Areas
Statewide topsoil moisture was rated:
- 3% very short
- 23% short
- 70% adequate
- 4% surplus
Subsoil moisture was rated:
- 5% very short
- 24% short
- 68% adequate
- 3% surplus
Those figures show roughly one-quarter of Iowa’s topsoil and nearly three-tenths of its subsoil remain short or very short. The report does not provide separate ratings for northwest Iowa.
Naig said outlooks indicate more seasonal temperatures and improved chances for rainfall heading into mid-September.
