Iowa Specialty Producers Conference | February 24, 2026 | Ankeny, Iowa

This episode is a live recording of the What in the Weather podcast session presented at the Iowa Specialty Producers Conference. State Climatologist Justin Glisan and host Dan Fillius cover current weather conditions, a full 2025 weather year in review, and crop and pest impacts for Iowa specialty producers.

Current Conditions & Outlook

• February 2025 has been one of the top five warmest on record; the state is now in a brief cool spell following a significant snowfall event near Waterloo (12–14 inches)
• Precipitation is at 72% of normal statewide, with northwestern Iowa below 50%; drought conditions are emerging and could worsen if dry weather continues
• The forecast for early March shows a warm and wet signal, which typically brings increased thunderstorm activity

2025 Weather Year in Review

• 2025 was the 25th warmest year on record (1.3°F above average); the past five years are the warmest five-year period on record
• June and July were exceptionally humid — dew points above 70°F were recorded on more than half of July's days, producing heat index values near 109°F
• The second wettest July on record was followed by a dry fall — Red Oak went 33 days without measurable precipitation
• Iowa recorded 36 tornadoes in 2025, below the average of 44, with no fatalities

2025 Weather Superlatives

• Coldest stretch: Feb. 10–22, with daytime highs as low as -20°F (NW Iowa) and a dew point of -29°F in Sioux County
• Warmest overnight low: 82°F in June (Quad Cities)
• Highest temperature: 101°F, Little Sioux (June 20)
• Coldest overnight low: -23°F, Fayette
• Biggest single rain event: 8.64 inches in Decorah
• Wettest location: Boone at 47.84 inches; driest: Randolph at 24.56 inches
• Longest growing season: southeastern Iowa; shortest: northwestern Iowa

Crop Impacts

• Low winter precipitation in 2024–25 led to garlic winter damage on multiple farms
• Wet June and July caused widespread disease, delayed plantings, and poor early fruit set in tomatoes, peppers, and eggplant
• Worst-performing crops: onions (waterlogged soils), watermelons, and summer broccoli (heat and disease)
• Best-performing crop: tomatoes — scarce supply drove strong prices, with tunnel growers fetching ~$4/lb late in the season; late-planted fall carrots were a standout surprise

Pest & Disease Highlights

• Top insect pests: aphids (especially damaging on fall and winter greens) and onion thrips
• Top diseases: pepper anthracnose, Alternaria on brassicas, and southern rust in corn
• Management tips discussed include pre-transplant aphid dips with M-Pede or Suffoil-X, interplanting sweet alyssum to attract beneficials, and a conventional onion thrips spray rotation using Movento and Radiant per the 2026 Midwest Veg Guide

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Topics Covered:

• 00:00:29 - Iowa Weather History (January 27-28, 1977): The devastating 1977 blizzard that struck northern and eastern Iowa with winds up to 55 mph, 6-foot snow drifts, and wind chills dropping to negative 60 to negative 90

• 00:01:32 - Weekly Weather Forecast: Warming trend ahead with temperatures climbing from teens/20s to the 30s by Monday/Tuesday; quiet storm track with most action on southern and eastern coasts of the country

• 00:02:32 - Extended Climate Outlook (6-14 Days & Beyond): February 2-10 looking warm and dry for upper Midwest; discussion of Arctic Oscillation Index and its role in predicting cold air outbreaks 2-3 weeks in advance

• 00:06:35 - February Weather Predictions: Analysis of weak La Niña patterns, snowpack comparisons (Siberia vs. Europe), and potential for more cold outbreaks and snowfall in second-half of February due to meridional flow

• 00:09:02 - December 2025 & Year in Review: December was 65th coldest on record; November-December was 6th snowiest combined period in 130 years; 2025 was 25th warmest year on record with 2020s being warmest decade for Iowa

• 00:12:24 - Climate Change & Polar Vortex Connection: How warming Arctic (3x faster than mid-latitudes) leads to more extreme cold air outbreaks; Des Moines is 5 degrees warmer in winter than 30 years ago; explanation of jet stream meanders and persistent weather patterns

• 00:15:30 - Arctic Sea Ice & Feedback Loops: Discussion of albedo/reflectivity, salinity changes in Arctic Ocean, and how melting sea ice creates positive feedback warming cycle

• 00:16:54 - Future Temperature Projections (2050-2071): Models show 20-30 days of 95°+ temperatures in summer with heat indices reaching 125-140°F; cold outbreaks will be less frequent but more extreme

• 00:19:45 - Specialty Crop Impacts:

• 00:20:43 - Research Spotlight - Sumisansui Irrigation: Ben Phillips' (Michigan State) study on Japanese micro-perforation irrigation hoses; effectiveness for germination and cooling; limitations with wind susceptibility and vegetation blocking

• 00:24:07 - Broccoli Production Master Class: Thomas Bjorkman's comprehensive presentation covering hollow stem issues, variety selection, spacing strategies, and the unique challenge of cooling meristematic tissue that generates heat even after harvest

• 00:27:40 - Organic Veg Production Conference: Highlights from online conference including Flint Wiswall's (Cate Farm) innovative bench-moving systems for transplant production

• 00:29:21 - Looking Ahead: Preview of next episode - the annual "best and worst" superlatives show recording from Iowa Specialty Producers Conference in late February

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Weather History & Current Conditions (December 18, 2025)

• Historic perspective: December 18, 1976 saw unseasonably warm temps reaching 64°F in Des Moines
• Recent pattern shift from active Alberta Clippers bringing light, fluffy snow to warmer, drier conditions
• Flash freeze warning for today as cold front passes through with potential snow squalls

White Christmas Outlook

• Historical probabilities: Rock Rapids (70%), Des Moines (39%), Fort Madison (30%)
• 2025 forecast: Unlikely for white Christmas anywhere in Iowa due to warming trend and dry forecast through month's end
• Reflects broader trend of warming winters and transition from snow to rain/mixed precipitation

Climate Forecast

• Next 7 days: Unseasonably warm (40s) and dry as polar vortex retreats north
• 6-14 day outlook: Strong signal for above-normal temps and dry conditions across western Iowa
• January-March: Equal chances on temperature, lean wet for eastern Iowa quarter
• Spring outlook: Potential transition to ENSO neutral conditions (70% probability), similar to pleasant spring 2025?

December Snow Recap

• Fourth snowiest November on record for some stations
• Keokuk Lock and Dam (records since 1894) and Toledo (records since 1884) saw snowiest November-December period
• Multiple Alberta Clippers dropped 2-3 inches each, totaling 5-7 inches statewide
• December 14th storm caused I-80 closures and treacherous driving conditions

Specialty Crop Updates

• Melcast System: Fungicide timing tool for melon growers will be available for Iowa locations (web-based platform from Indiana)
• Caterpillar Tunnels: Rolling Acres Produce Supply in Drakesville now manufacturing local tunnel kits with prefab end walls with doors
• Great Lakes Expo Recap: Major Midwest fruit/vegetable conference in Grand Rapids
• Annual Strawberry Production: New technique shared—rooting bare-root plants in plug trays for 6 weeks before July 15th planting optimizes yield and reduces runner management

Upcoming

• Last episode of 2025
• Live recording at Iowa Specialty Producers Conference, February 24th in Ankeny
• January episode will come, but unknown date right now.

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Weather Forecast & Outlook:

• Alberta Clipper brings nose dive in temperatures with wind chills in negative teens to negative 20s
• Quiet storm track ahead with possible flurries Saturday night
• December outlook: below normal temperatures for entire state, slightly below normal precipitation for southern/western Iowa

Recent Weather Highlights:

• Recent snowstorm (8.5" statewide average) makes November rank as 5th snowiest on record
• Fort Dodge recorded up to 16.5 inches of snow
• November and fall 2025 both ran about 3-4°F above average
• 7th warmest fall in 153 years of record

Specialty Crop Impacts:

• Managing overwintered greens in high tunnels during frigid temperatures - use supplemental heat, and internal covers
  • When growing greens for overwintering in warm fall weather, aggressively vent tunnel warmth to slow crop growth.
• Strawberry mulching timing and techniques - wait for dormancy (several nights around 20°F) before applying straw or row cover

This Day in Weather History:

• December 2-3, 1990: Major snowstorm dropped 6-15" across Iowa with blizzard conditions
• Winds gusted to 69 mph at Cresco
• University of Iowa bubble dome collapsed under heavy snow, causing $2 million in damage

Other Topics:

• Iowa corn and soybean yields hit record highs (215 bu/acre corn, 65 bu/acre soybeans)
• Discussion of July cloudiness and potential impacts on melon yields in southeast Iowa

Weather Forecast:

• Big winter cooldown coming this weekend with lows in the teens and highs in the upper 20s-low 30s
• Potential snowfall of 1-5 inches across northern Iowa Saturday into Sunday
• Temperatures warming back to the 50s early next week
• Leaning warmer and slightly wetter pattern continues in 8-14 day outlook (Nov 13-19)

Historical Weather:

• Looking back at the November 6, 1990 snowstorm that brought up to 8.5 inches of snow and a record low of -1°F

Recent Conditions:

• Six consecutive weeks of above-average temperatures ended with near-normal conditions at the end of October
• Western Iowa received a quarter of its monthly precipitation in just two days
• Fall foliage peaked with recent windy conditions

Specialty Crop Impacts:

• Urgent: Harvest root crops (carrots, beets, radishes) before weekend freeze
• Protect lettuce with low tunnels; spinach and garlic can withstand cold
• Venting strategies for high and low tunnels to prevent moisture buildup and acclimate crops to cold
• Plant garlic now if you haven't already
• Tips on heating high tunnels for winter production

Looking Ahead: The podcast moves to a monthly schedule for the winter with the next episode on Wednesday, December 3rd.

• Historical Weather: On October 23, 1908, southwestern Iowa received significant early snowfall—up to 11 inches in Clarinda
• Current Frost Event: 57 of 160-200 weather stations recorded temperatures at or below 32°F this week, though not considered meteorologically "widespread"
• Weather Forecast: Stable pattern for next few days, then rain chances Sunday night through Tuesday (0.5-1+ inches expected across most of the state)
• Temperature Outlook: Warmer than normal for late October/early November; synoptic-scale flow patterns emerging
• Climate Prediction Center: Slight warm signal and near-normal precipitation for Oct 30-Nov 5; Iowa is in climatologically driest time of year
• Frost Timing Discussion: Average first 32°F freeze occurs early October in northern Iowa, mid-October in central Iowa, and late October in southern Iowa—this year's frost came slightly later than average
• Crop Updates: Time to harvest sweet potatoes after frost damage; garlic planting research shows August 30 plantings can yield better than traditional Halloween planting
• Winter Outlook: La Niña conditions suggest increased variability with potential for polar vortex outbreaks, especially in second half of January and February; Minnesota may see patterns similar to 2013-2014 winter
• Snowfall Predictions: Team made guesses for first 1-inch snowfall at Des Moines airport (average date: Nov 26-Dec 3)

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Weather History & Current Conditions

• Historical note: In 1950, Des Moines saw a 14° temperature spike in 5 minutes during a thunderstorm, reaching 87° due to prefrontal warming
• Current forecast: Cold front Friday with showers/thunderstorms, then cooler temps - returning to seasonal averages (mid-60s highs, upper-40s lows)

Frost Watch

• Only 5 Iowa stations have hit freezing so far (Elkader, Sioux Center at 31°, Stanley, Spencer and Mason City at 32°)
• No widespread frost or freeze expected through end of October
• Growers advised to protect tender crops like basil during low-40s temperatures

Precipitation & Long-Range Outlook

• Southwestern Iowa received 3 inches of rain (nearly a month's worth)
• Winter outlook shows classic La Niña pattern: leaning cold in northwest Iowa, wet in eastern Iowa for December-February
• Warmth persisting through end of October with near-normal precipitation

Specialty Crop Updates

• Root crop harvest underway
• Spinach showing Cladosporium (fungal disease) in high tunnels—venting recommended
• Resources shared: eGRO water testing guide, corn earworm management in cut flowers

Upcoming Events

• Albert Lea Seed cover crop show next Friday in Ames
• High tunnel short course November 12th at Iowa Arboretum featuring Becca Rudebusch, Dan Sheild, Brian Krug, and Natalie Hoidal

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This Day in Iowa Weather History:

• 1970 early season snowstorm brought 5.1 inches to Sioux City - their earliest 1+ inch accumulation on record

Current Weather Forecast:

• Slight warm-up through the weekend with above-average temperatures
• Isolated chance of showers/thunderstorms overnight and late Saturday into Sunday
• No widespread frost expected through at least October 24th

Climate Outlook:

• 8-14 day outlook: leaning warmer and slightly wetter
• October outlook: warmer with equal chances for precipitation
• La Niña Advisory issued - conditions present and expected to persist through December 2025-February 2026
  • La Niña typically means drier/warmer falls and potential for more winter cold air outbreaks

Recent Weather Notes:

• Past week saw summer-like temperatures 12-16°F above normal
• Statewide average of 72°F (14.7°F above normal)
• Cold front October 5th brought localized heavy rain (1.5-2.5 inches in diagonal band from southwest to northeast Iowa)

Specialty Crop Impacts:

• Fall warmth accelerating fall crop growth (lettuce, etc.)
• Extended season benefiting delayed summer plantings
• Discussion of rice growing in Minnesota and overwintering onion planting strategies
• Tips on managing fall-planted flowers to avoid early flowering

Upcoming Events:

• High Tunnel Short Course - November 12th at Iowa Arboretum, Madrid, IA (registration now open)
  • Topics: high tunnel peach production, transplant watering strategies, high tunnel soil health management
• Impact Squared Virtual Visioning Activity - November 6th, 6-7:30 PM
  • Help inform climate tool development for small-scale and specialty crop farmers
  • $100 Amazon gift card for participants

Bonus Weather Fact:

• First EF5 tornado in over 12 years confirmed in North Dakota (June 2025) - last one was Moore, Oklahoma in May 2013

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