Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast What in the Weather?

00:25 — Iowa weather history: An October 1996 storm brings heavy rain and early-season snow.

01:18 — Weekly forecast: Rain favors northwest Iowa as temperatures ease

02:52 — Extended outlook: Warmth remains favored into November, with El Niño and jet-stream placement shaping precipitation chances.

06:49 — Winter weather discussion: How the quasi-biennial oscillation (QBO) could influence polar vortex outbreaks— *analog years aren't a forecast.

10:46 — Weekly recap: Widespread rain, above-average temperatures, and a late frost bring mixed consequences for growers.

12:12 — Agritourism and pumpkin losses: Wet fall weather hurts farm visits and contributes to widespread fruit rot.

13:50 — September rainfall rankings: Why record-setting totals at individual stations can differ from climate-division averages.

16:44 — Weekly weather extremes: Iowa's hottest, coldest, wettest, and driest reporting locations.

17:14 — What makes weather "comfortable"? Comparing Iowa with coastal California, revisiting earthquake memories, and finding Iowa's nicest seasonal weather windows.

24:47 — Horticulture Friday's anniversary and an introduction to pumpkin grower Beany Bode's fall update.

27:51 — Specialty crop reports: Lingering dryness in Kossuth County, later high-tunnel planting dates, broccoli disease losses, and a challenging growing season.

30:26 — Looking ahead for strawberries, followed by an unresolved butternut squash discoloration question.

31:43 — Closing perspective: Why it's too early to trust weather predictions for next growing season.

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00:07–01:47 — Justin recounts the historic October 15–16, 1880 Iowa blizzard, including severe thunderstorms, walnut-sized hail in Des Moines, and 15–20 ft snow drifts in northwest Iowa.

02:11–04:48 — Madelynn leads an ENSO-themed Jeopardy game

04:55–06:35 — Weekly forecast: two low-pressure systems bring widespread rain and strong winds Friday, with possible frost across northern and parts of southern Iowa this weekend; quieter, warmer weather follows next week.

06:40–08:16 — Climate outlook: warm and wet conditions are favored in the 6–10 and 8–14 day periods, with a slight dry lean in weeks 3–4; El Niño tends toward wetter October–November before a drier winter pattern.

08:32–11:46 — Justin reviews strong El Niño analogs, showing warmer historical signals, mixed precipitation patterns, and generally below-normal January–March snowfall—especially in eastern Iowa.

11:50–13:22 — Hazard outlook: an early frost risk verified after several days' notice; CPC flags slight risks for heavy rain October 22–24 and high winds October 22–23.

14:04–16:41 — Frost climatology and context: normal first 32°F freeze ranges from early October in northern Iowa to mid-to-late October in the southeast; recent exceptional warmth makes the upcoming frost feel abrupt but remains seasonally normal.

16:56–20:20 — Past-week review: warm conditions, hail up to 1.75 inches from Sac through Dallas and Warren counties, a surprise Tuesday-morning thunderstorm, and a northwest-to-southeast rainfall band; Sioux City recorded both the weekly high (93°F) and low (39°F).

20:42–21:47 — Discussion of forecast uncertainty: rainfall timing and amounts become more reliable closer to the event, with synoptic-scale patterns often more predictable than localized precipitation bands.

22:05–26:56 — Specialty-crop frost preparations: drain irrigation lines and open valves, protect tender crops, use row cover carefully with hoops to prevent leaf scorch, and ventilate high tunnels to slow overly large overwintered crops and help them acclimate.

26:56–28:16 — Field opportunities: plant garlic and consider overwintered onions, which Dan reports may store better and experience less storage rot than summer-grown onions.

28:16–30:15 — Pest note: leaf-footed bugs are appearing on tomatoes and pumpkins; nymphs are more vulnerable to control than adults, but management remains difficult.

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01:03 — Weather history: An early October 1970 snowstorm brought record-setting snowfall to western and northwestern Iowa, including nine inches in Hawarden.

01:48 — Seven-day forecast: Warm, mostly quiet weather gives way to midweek rain chances, with 1.5–2 inches possible across southern Iowa. Justin explains the Pacific moisture connection.

04:20 — Improving field conditions: Sunshine, low humidity, and breezes help dry topsoil, renewing opportunities for tillage, garlic planting, and root-crop harvest.

05:12 — October outlooks: A near-term wet signal may largely reflect the approaching storm, while longer-range outlooks favor a return to warmer, drier conditions.

07:52 — Weekly weather recap: Heavy rainfall brought 4–6 inches along a band from Pottawattamie County to Waterloo before nearly a week of sunshine. Highlights include an 88°F high, a 34°F low, and 6.49 inches of rain at Portsmouth.

10:06 — Spinach pest spotlight: Identifying suspected beet webworm damage, recognizing its webbing, and discussing Bt treatment and harvest-quality challenges.

11:52 — Regional growing conditions: Dan reflects on central Iowa's unusually cloudy, wet September and acknowledges that eastern Iowa growers have had a different experience.

13:43 — Upcoming grower events: A November 11 high tunnel short course at the Iowa Arboretum and a free November 10 workshop on food safety and organic certification in Stevens Point, Wisconsin.

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[00:00:31] Iowa weather history: a look back at late-September 1985, when widespread rain, sleet, and snow occurred across Iowa, including trace snowfall in Des Moines.

[00:01:26] Forecast headline: widespread rainfall continues through Thursday night, fueled by tropical moisture associated with Hurricane Polo's remnants, monsoonal moisture, and a larger-scale low-pressure system.

[00:02:00] Pattern change ahead: sunshine, daytime temperatures in the 60s, overnight lows in the 40s, and a drier, less active weather pattern beginning Friday.

[00:02:24] September rainfall records: Des Moines may approach or break its wettest September on record, while only 2.76 inches are needed to break the city's all-time wettest-month record.

[00:03:47] Statewide September climate update: Iowa ranks as the fifth warmest and seventh wettest September in 154 years of records, with some locations receiving May-and-June-scale precipitation totals in one month.

[00:04:51] Extended outlook: the 8-to-14-day and 3-to-4-week forecasts favor a generally drier pattern. Keep an eye on a short-lived period of much-below-normal temperatures 10/6-10/7 in SE Iowa.

[00:07:41] Past-week weather recap: temperatures were slightly below normal for the first time this September, while statewide rainfall averaged 1.26 inches.

[00:08:36] Weekly extremes: Clarinda and Shenandoah reached 80°F; Hampton dropped to 45°F; Missouri Valley received 2.73 inches of rain; and parts along the Iowa-Wisconsin border received little or no rain.

[00:09:20] Specialty-crop update: sweet potatoes are thriving in the warm, wet season, but harvest appropriately sized roots before they become oversized and harder to market.

[00:10:38] Cloud cover and crop growth: Dan and Justin discuss whether unusually cloudy conditions may be limiting photosynthesis, crop sizing, and fall growth; they plan to revisit cloud-cover data next week.

[00:11:42] Fall foliage and warm nights: persistent greenness and delayed leaf-color change may reflect warm overnight temperatures and the broader warming signal associated with climate change.

[00:12:25] Recommended listening: Dan highlights a recent weather-focused episode of the Growing for Market podcast featuring a Northeast meteorologist.

[00:12:57] Grower challenges: growers describe an exceptionally difficult season marked by excessive rain, reduced harvests, poor farmers-market turnout during rain, crop disease and production challenges, and uneven conditions across Iowa.

[00:13:44] Western Iowa perspective: a grower in Manning reports a much drier growing season before September; Justin reviews precipitation observations showing 6.65 inches in Manning during September and about 27 inches for the year in nearby Irwin.

[00:15:37] Pivot Points podcast spotlight: Dan shares his other podcast, which features farmers navigating setbacks and major changes. He highlights a new episode with Cassie and Michael of Crossroads Community Farm near Madison, Wisconsin.

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[00:00:34] Iowa weather history: Justin looks back at September 24, 1985, when snowflakes mixed with rain in Des Moines—among the earliest observations of snow in Iowa history.

[00:01:19] Weather trivia: Which Iowa sector is most vulnerable to climate variability impacts?

[00:01:44] Forecast headline: "endless wet": The team discusses a soggy seven-day outlook, including at least 1.5 inches of statewide precipitation and possible 2–4 inch totals south of a Des Moines-to-Sioux City line.

[00:02:50] Near-term forecast details: Showers continue through Sunday morning, followed by a brief early-week break before rain returns Tuesday. Temperatures remain in the 60s, with mild overnight lows.

[00:03:18] Hurricane Polo and the quiet Atlantic: Justin explains how Pacific Hurricane Polo's remnants may influence Upper Midwest weather, while the group discusses El Niño, wind shear, and the lack of an Atlantic hurricane so far this season.

[00:05:12] 8-to-14-day outlook: Madelynn reviews the early October outlook, which favors above-normal precipitation while keeping temperatures near normal around Iowa.

[00:07:16] Hazards outlook: No notable hazards are highlighted in the 8-to-14-day hazards outlook.

[00:07:32] Past-week weather recap: The group gives the week its "Flood and Furious" headline and talks about widespread wet conditions, and rain impacts across Iowa.

[00:08:46] Iowa weather extremes: Justin reports the wettest location, North Liberty, with 6.75 inches of rain; the driest location, Randolph, with 0.15 inches; and temperature extremes ranging from 97°F in Clarinda to 42°F at Mason City Municipal Airport.

[00:09:49] Summer Glory Index: Justin introduces the Summer Glory Index, a measure combining temperature, humidity, and precipitation to assess how pleasant meteorological summer was.

[00:11:27] Des Moines' wretched summer: Des Moines recorded 43 disqualifying summer days out of 91, including a particularly oppressive July 27, leading to a Summer Glory Index score of 853.

[00:12:07] Putting the summer in context: Dan compares Des Moines' score with Twin Cities history and recent Iowa summers, noting that 2026 skipped past "not glorious" into the "wretched" category.

[00:13:31] Monthly Summer Glory breakdown: June scored 583 points, but July had negative 44.5, illustrating the sharp deterioration in summer conditions.

[00:13:57] The "San Diego of Iowa": Justin identifies Northwood, Iowa, as the Iowa station whose summer temperatures most closely matched a San Diego-like climate.

[00:15:55] Specialty crop impacts and high-tunnel work: Dan shares lessons from helping re-cover the Global Greens greenhouse, including methods for safely installing plastic over high tunnels.

[00:17:16] High-tunnel covering techniques: Dan compares traditional plastic-pulling methods with a ridge-spool approach that can reduce billowing and make wet-weather installation more manageable.

[00:19:04] Inflation-fan advice: Tips for two-layer plastic systems, including installing fans promptly, keeping a backup fan available, and using outside air to reduce interior condensation.

[00:20:39] High-tunnel storm preparation: Dan emphasizes installing anti-billow ropes and keeping a utility knife in every tunnel to protect the steel structure during extreme snow or wind events.

[00:22:25] Caterpillar tunnel inside a high tunnel: Dan discusses Andrew Phelps' planned experiment using a caterpillar tunnel within a high tunnel for added winter insulation.

[00:22:58] High Tunnel Short Course: Registration is open for the November 11 short course at the Iowa Arboretum.

[00:23:13] Hort Friday Field Day delayed: The Iowa Public Radio Hort Friday Field Day is postponed because saturated fields and rain make parking and field access impractical; a new date is expected no earlier than mid-October.

[00:23:38] Trivia answer: 

[00:24:24] A difficult growing season: The group reflects on a challenging year for growers, marked by a poor Summer Glory Index and persistently wet September weather.

[00:25:06] Cloud cover and seasonal affective disorder: Madelynn discusses unusually cloudy conditions in Des Moines, with overcast observations occurring 42% of the time this September versus a climatological average of 26%.

Podcast summary generated using perplexity.ai

00:00:42 — Iowa weather history for September 17: a dramatic 1912 transition from record late-season heat to early snow and flurries.

00:01:17 — Weather trivia: How does Des Moines precipitation from September 1–14 rank historically?

00:02:22 — Near-term Iowa forecast: continued chances for rain and thunderstorms through Monday, with the heaviest potential rainfall in northeastern Iowa and a marginal severe-weather risk from southwest into central Iowa Friday night into Saturday.

00:03:44 — CPC 8- to 14-day outlook: warmer-than-normal temperatures favored statewide, with mixed precipitation signals across Iowa.

00:05:01 — October outlook: slightly increased odds of above-normal temperatures in Iowa, while precipitation has equal chances of being above, near, or below normal.

00:06:17 — Why the October precipitation outlook shows a wetter signal to Iowa's southwest, and why drought-stricken neighboring states could welcome that moisture.

00:07:30 — Three-month outlook for October through December: warmer conditions favored, with equal precipitation chances in eastern Iowa and a slightly wetter signal in western Iowa.

00:07:58 — El Niño update and Iowa winter implications: how current Pacific sea-surface temperature anomalies compare with historic strong El Niño events.

00:10:18 — Choosing El Niño analog years: why more recent strong events may be more relevant than older events when accounting for a warmer modern climate.

00:12:38 — Classic El Niño precipitation pattern, jet-stream placement, and the potential for wet conditions extending from the Gulf states into the Midwest.

00:13:17 — Winter weather under strong El Niño: a generally warmer signal, but potential for late-January and February cold-air outbreaks, episodic snowstorms, rain, and mixed-precipitation events.

00:15:32 — Other climate drivers beyond El Niño, including the Madden-Julian Oscillation and Pacific Decadal Oscillation, and uncertainty about ocean-atmosphere coupling and a possible later La Niña transition.

00:16:31 — What "episodic snowfall" means in practice: sharp swings between periods of frigid weather, snow potential, and much warmer conditions.

00:17:53 — How Iowa's currently wet soils affect local weather versus how large winter synoptic-scale systems obtain and transport moisture.

00:19:58 — Past week's headline: exceptionally wet conditions across southwest and central Iowa, despite temperatures generally remaining near normal.

00:21:11 — Dense fog, recent high-wind reports, and how recent temperatures compared with normal across the state.

00:21:53 — Weekly Iowa weather extremes: warmest and coldest observations, plus wettest and driest locations and discussion of CoCoRaHS rainfall reports.

00:25:12 — Specialty-crop impacts of prolonged wet weather: bacterial soft rot in carrots and other root vegetables, raised beds, harvest sanitation, and protecting storage crops.

00:28:31 — Forked carrots: possible causes, marketability, and the history and potential use of baby-carrot processing.

00:29:30 — Black rot in brassica crops: identifying affected cabbage, avoiding storage losses, preventing harvest-tool spread, and sanitizing knives.

00:31:07 — Managing muddy harvested crops, sanitizing wash water, and deciding whether to wash crops before storage.

00:31:50 — Fieldwork and fall planting: garlic planting windows, turfgrass reseeding on damaged field edges, and fall weather considerations.

00:32:46 — Upcoming events: registration for the November 11 high tunnel short course and the September 26 Horticulture Research Station event in Ames.

00:33:55 — Trivia answer

00:34:51 — Historical context for Des Moines precipitation records, including June 1881 as the city's wettest calendar month.

00:35:12 — Closing reflection on historical weather extremes, forecasting, weather-related stress, and the value of discussing mental health.

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[00:00:27] This Day in Iowa Weather History: Early frost event of September 10, 1976; record lows across multiple stations.

[00:01:27] Short-term outlook: No frost risk for Iowa in the next week; 8–14 day hazards show cold risk only in northern Minnesota/Dakotas.

[00:01:47] 7-day forecast headline: Shift to widespread low-pressure systems and fronts; 0.75–2 inches of rain possible; temps cooling toward or slightly below normal.

[00:02:39] Extended outlook: 6–10 day (Sept 15–19) leans warm/wet; 8–14 day (Sept 17–23) near-normal temps with a slight wet signal; slight heavy-precip risk Sept 17–19.

[00:03:31] 3–4 week guidance: Leans warm; no clear precipitation signal.

[00:03:56] Past week recap: Very localized heavy rain in central Iowa (up to ~5–6 inches in parts of the metro) after a hot start to September.

[00:06:42] Weekly extremes: High 100°F at Shenandoah (Sept 8); low 53°F at Lake Park (Sept 9); highest precip 7.69" at Guthrie Center; SE Iowa saw little to no rain.

[00:08:24] Meteorological summer review: Statewide avg temp 72.7°F (+1.3°F; tied 54th warmest); precip 14.32" (+0.76"; 39th wettest); Des Moines area (Climate Division 5) had 11th wettest summer.

[00:10:46] Growing season impacts: Wet periods drove foliar diseases, root rots, and pest pressure; mixed reports on corn rootworm and Japanese beetles; tough year for tomatoes; pumpkins faring better.

[00:12:24] Coming next week: Summer "Glory Index" breakdown using airport sites (NW, NE, SW, SE, plus Des Moines).

[00:13:20] Specialty crop tips:

[00:13:23] Top Brussels sprouts in mid-September to improve uniform bulking.

[00:13:43] Bacterial leaf spot on parsley/celery/cilantro: seed-borne and soil-borne; emphasize seed treatment, hot-water treatment for organic seed, and rotation.

[00:15:54] Copper fungicides: effectiveness varies by product and disease; metallic copper equivalent matters more than % active ingredient; note PHI/REI differences and organic soil-copper limits.

[00:18:31] Winter squash harvest: green radial lines at the stem on butternut can be normal; harvest when rind is tan/buff; cucurbit foliage declining

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I caught up with Dr. Ajay Nair at the 2026 Farm Progress Show in Boone, IA. He shared with me his vision for Horticulture at Iowa State University and in the state of Iowa.

00:00:08 — Welcome to What in the Weather?, recorded from the Farm Progress Show.

00:00:33 — Iowa weather history: the damaging, unusually early statewide frost of September 1, 1859, following late spring frosts and affecting crops including corn, buckwheat, and sorghum.

00:02:04 — Week-ahead forecast: hot, humid conditions, with "ridge rider" thunderstorms bringing a localized risk of heavier rain, especially across northern and northwest Iowa.

00:03:10 — Heat Dome "Fiero" ;-) discussion: a persistent ridge favors heat and relative dryness farther south, while storm tracks ride around its northern edge.

00:04:16 — Extended outlook for September 7–13: above-normal temperatures favored across Iowa, with near-normal precipitation expectations.

00:04:47 — Seasonal market note: continued summerlike heat may support watermelon demand longer than typical fall-oriented sales.

00:06:09 — Preview of next week's meteorological summer recap and the Summer Glory Index outcome.

00:06:33 — Last week's Iowa weather: scattered rain and storms in northern Iowa, dry conditions in several southern areas, a high of 96°F at Lamoni, a low of 48°F at Lake Park and Spencer Municipal Airport, and Rock Rapids' 1.3-inch precipitation total.

00:07:35 — Vegetable crop update: timing for oats-and-peas cover crops, plus considerations for daikon radish and brassica disease management.

00:09:08 — Disease observations in watermelon and brassicas: possible gummy stem blight in watermelon and reports of Xanthomonas leaf spot and black rot in kale, Brussels sprouts, and cabbage.

00:10:48 — Randall Vos joins from the Farm Progress Show to discuss fruit-crop conditions across Iowa.

00:10:56 — Strawberry and tree-fruit season review: weather extremes, frost, rain, disease, uneven fruit set, and thrips pressure contributed to a challenging year.

00:12:10 — Fall raspberries: generally benefiting from adequate moisture, though current heat may cause stress and drooping.

00:12:36 — Moisture-gradient impacts on fruit crops: lower disease pressure in northwest Iowa vineyards versus substantial foliar downy mildew concerns elsewhere.

00:14:07 — Early grape harvest and heavy bird pressure in vineyards, including challenges from robins, starlings, orioles, and turkeys.

00:14:52 — Possible bird damage in tomatoes and how rain can accelerate rot after fruit is pecked.

00:15:38 — High Tunnel Short Course announcement: November 11 at the Iowa Arboretum, with speakers Christa Alexander, Judson Reed, and T.D. Holub covering high-tunnel systems, fertility, cover crops, construction, and crop production.

00:16:42 — Closing and invitation to tune in next week for the meteorological summer recap.

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Find full show notes at https://www.extension.iastate.edu/commercialhort/82726-notes-what-weather

00:00:32 Iowa weather history: Heavy thunderstorms in 1903 produced extraordinary rainfall totals across southern Iowa, including an unofficial 14.61 inches at Woodburn.

00:01:26 Weather trivia: What causes the reddish, coppery appearance of the Moon during a lunar eclipse?

00:02:00 Weekly forecast: A quieter storm track overall, better rain chances Saturday, slight chances early next week, and temperatures about 5 degrees above normal.

00:02:33 Climate outlook: A warmer-than-normal start to September is favored, while precipitation is expected to be near normal statewide. Southern Iowa faces a slight risk of extreme heat during the September 3–9 period.

00:04:28 Seasonal outlook and El Niño discussion: The hosts examine the September–November outlook, the developing Pacific signal, and how climate models use analogs and trends.

00:06:08 Past-week weather recap: Pleasant temperatures, cool nights, limited rainfall in parts of Iowa, and a reminder to credit the Iowa Environmental Mesonet and Daryl Herzmann when using IEM data. https://mesonet.agron.iastate.edu/onsite/features/cat.php?day=2026-08-27

00:07:52 Iowa temperature and precipitation extremes: Rock Rapids reached 90°F, while Spencer Municipal Airport and Lake Park fell to 47°F; Boone recorded the week's highest precipitation total.

00:08:59 Lunar eclipse viewing: Details on the August 27 deep partial lunar eclipse, including peak viewing at 11:12 p.m. Central Time and 96.3% coverage at maximum eclipse.

00:10:19 Specialty crop impacts: Powdery mildew management, late-season pumpkin guidance, and a diagnosis of Xanthomonas leaf spot in Lacinato kale.

00:12:52 Managing Xanthomonas leaf spot: Resistant cultivars, copper-based treatments, removal of affected leaves, sanitation, crop rotation, and hot-water seed treatment for brassicas.

00:14:33 Wet-season crop challenges: Dan discusses troubleshooting difficult field conditions for a northeast Iowa grower and compares the challenging 2026 season with 2025.

00:15:04 Farm Progress Show preview: The team will record next week's episode from Boone, with Dan staffing the horticulture booth and Madelynn staffing the weather booth featuring IEM and CoCoRaHS.

00:15:48 Trivia answer

00:16:39 Rayleigh scattering explained: Why the sky is blue, and how atmospheric gases scatter light.

00:17:15 Atmospheric moisture and fluid dynamics: A discussion of water vapor's small but important role in weather and the atmosphere as a fluid.

00:18:27 Tornado safety follow-up: Why seeking shelter under an overpass is unsafe, including wind acceleration, debris hazards, and traffic congestion risks.

00:21:09 Closing remarks and a reminder to join the hosts next week for an episode recorded at the Farm Progress Show.

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[00:00:51] Iowa weather history for August 19: A destructive 1898 severe-weather event brought straight-line winds, hail, heavy rain, property damage, and fatalities across northwestern Iowa.

[00:02:00] Why thunderstorms can occur overnight and in the early morning: Justin explains the role of the nocturnal low-level jet, moisture transport, ridge riders, and heat-dome patterns.

[00:03:55] Weather trivia: Is it safe to park beneath an overpass during a storm?

[00:04:37] Short-term forecast: Storm chances return through Friday, followed by quieter, seasonable weather over the weekend and into early next week.

[00:05:26] Extended outlook: Iowa has increased odds of above-normal temperatures in the 8-to-14-day period, while precipitation odds remain near normal.

[00:06:45] Heat dome discussion: The group explains persistent blocking highs, why the current heat dome is lingering, and jokingly suggests naming it "Fiero."

[00:07:36] Three-to-four-week outlook: Equal chances for temperature and precipitation across most of Iowa, with limited areas leaning warmer or drier.

[00:08:35] Hazards outlook: No hazards are forecast for Iowa, though parts of Nebraska, Kansas, and Missouri face a slight risk of hazardous heat.

[00:10:05] Past-week weather recap: Storms became more localized late in the week, after Iowa experienced its wettest week of the year to date.

[00:10:30] Iowa rainfall and temperature extremes: Discussion of statewide precipitation averages, Wapello's 8.76 inches of rain, Rock Rapids' 0.13 inches, and temperatures from 51 to 94 degrees.

[00:14:05] El Niño update: Climate Prediction Center probabilities continue to indicate a strong El Niño event, with potential implications for late fall and winter.

[00:15:10] Specialty crop impacts from recent rain: Tomato cracking, melon splitting, harvest timing, rot, and insect issues following heavy rainfall.

[00:16:47] Powdery mildew in squash and zucchini: Scouting, curative treatment options, resistant varieties, pumpkin-handle impacts, and managing disease before harvest.

[00:19:41] Squash bug management: Identifying vulnerable nymphs, spray options, timing around eggs and hatch, canopy coverage, and cautions when mixing pesticide products.

[00:22:21] Cucurbit yellow vine decline: Yellowing symptoms, adult squash bugs as disease vectors, and end-of-season squash bug management.

[00:23:09] Greenhouse Short Course: Information on the September 16 event at Reiman Gardens for ornamental greenhouse growers.

[00:23:43] Project Monarch Science app: How Bluetooth-enabled monarch tags and citizen-science observations help researchers track migration success.

podcast summary generated using perplexity.ai

00:00:25 — Iowa weather history: two violent 1974 tornadoes caused F4 damage in eastern Iowa.

00:01:31 — Weather trivia asks listeners to identify the leading cause of weather-related fatalities in the United States.

00:01:51 — Near-term forecast: an active "ring of fire" pattern brings widespread thunderstorm chances for the next four to five days, followed by a quieter, seasonable start to next week.

00:02:29 — Rainfall outlook and forecasting explained: model ensembles suggest broad totals of at least 1.5 inches, with isolated 3–4 inch amounts possible from central to eastern Iowa; local thunderstorm totals will remain highly variable.

00:05:18 — Extended outlook: Aug. 19–25 is favored to be warmer than normal in Iowa, with near-normal precipitation; the late-August/early-September outlook leans slightly drier.

00:06:44 — The team explains how Pacific monsoon moisture, the jet stream, and emerging El Niño conditions may contribute to Iowa's humidity and heavy-rain potential.

00:09:08 — El Niño update: European model projections show a potential very strong event later this year, though the hosts emphasize uncertainty and promise a fuller winter-focused discussion.

00:13:37 — Derecho and severe-weather recap: a damaging line of storms crossed eastern Iowa and continued through the Ohio Valley, with wind gusts up to 75 mph near Independence and two reported tornadoes in Delaware County.

00:15:19 — Past-week Iowa conditions: eastern Iowa saw tornado, hail, wind, crop, tree, and building damage; Nashua recorded 3.04 inches of rain, while Rock Rapids had only a trace.

00:16:52 — Recent temperature and humidity context: highs reached 94°F, Spencer fell to 47°F overnight, and the hosts compare this summer's heat and dew points with 2025.

00:18:46 — Specialty-crop update: growers seeking heat-tolerant broccoli varieties are directed to Cornell's Eastern Broccoli Project research.

00:20:14 — Corn rootworm beetles are replacing Japanese beetles as a concern for flowers, pumpkins, and sweet corn; exclusion netting or bags are the most pollinator-safe control options for cut-flower growers.

00:22:51 — Watermelon harvest challenges after heavy rain: excessive moisture can cause splitting, while growers must balance harvest timing, maturity, rind development, and variety-specific traits.

00:25:18 — Hail damage report from Algona: penny-size, likely wind-driven hail damaged zucchini and pumpkins; photos will be included in the show notes.

00:26:32 — Upcoming events: Midwest Mechanical Weed Control Field Day in Michigan (Sept. 16), Appropriate Technology Field Day in Kentucky (Aug. 25), Great Lakes Tek Flex in Michigan (Sept. 10–11), and the 40th-anniversary Hort Friday field day in Ames (Sept. 26).

00:29:25 — Additional event reminders: High Tunnel Short Course on Nov. 11 and the Southeast Research Farm Field Day in Crawfordsville on Sept. 10.

00:29:44 — Trivia answer

podcast summary generated using Perplexity.ai

[00:00:08] August 5 Iowa weather history segment, including a severe 1989 thunderstorm complex and derecho discussion.

[00:01:35] Madelynn shares the weather trivia question: Does Iowa get more than 40% of its annual precipitation in its 10 wettest days?

[00:02:03] Justin gives the upcoming forecast headline: rain chances easing, then a return to mid- to upper-80s temperatures.

[00:05:03] Madelynn reviews the 8-to-14-day and one-month Climate Prediction Center outlooks, which lean warmer and wetter for parts of Iowa.

[00:06:14] The team discusses heavy precipitation risk in eastern Iowa, wet soils, flash flooding concerns, and ridge-rider storm potential.

[00:07:56] Madelynn summarizes the past week's weather shift from hot and humid to cooler, pleasant conditions with soft rains across much of the state.

[00:10:23] Justin shares recent weather extremes, including the hottest location, coolest overnight lows, and top precipitation totals.

[00:11:21] The hosts talk about heavy rain and training lines in southern and central Iowa, plus flash flood concerns and rainfall extremes.

[00:12:51] Dan moves into specialty crop impacts, covering watermelon harvest progress and melon ripening in Iowa.

[00:13:57] Dan discusses broad mites in peppers, including symptoms, scouting, and management challenges.

[00:15:16] The conversation shifts to thrips damage in gladiolus, possible species involved, and treatment considerations.

[00:18:29] Dan explains the difference between truss tomatoes and standard tomato varieties, using a grower example and seed sources.

[00:20:30] Dan notes the first Wisconsin report of beet rhizomania and explains why it matters for beet production.

[00:21:15] The episode includes a listener question about Japanese beetles, their life cycle, and when they should disappear.

[00:23:20] Madelynn answers the trivia question

00:00:08–00:02:00: Dan and Justin discuss the first recorded tornado damage in Iowa history from 1804.

00:02:00–00:04:05: The team previews the coming week's forecast, including heat, muggy conditions, wildfire smoke, and a rain system that could bring widespread rainfall.

00:02:41–00:03:55: Madelynn introduces the weekly trivia question about which RAGBRAI year had the most hours with a heat index above 85 degrees, with a note that Des Moines data is being used as a proxy.

00:04:05–00:08:24: Madelynn walks through the 8–14 day Climate Prediction Center outlook, the hazard outlook, and the three-to-four-week outlook, highlighting above-normal temperatures, near-normal precipitation, and some drought concern.

00:07:39–00:08:24: Dan adds harvest timing advice for potatoes, onions, and garlic ahead of potential rain, and mentions the upcoming final August monthly outlook.

00:08:25–00:10:12: Madelynn summarizes the past week as "moist and on fire," describing heat, humidity, dense fog, and a fire at the Agristar meat processing plant in Postville.

00:10:12–00:11:20: The hosts review extreme heat statistics for Des Moines, including a 1936 record and the near-record heat index from July 27, 2026.

00:11:21–00:13:13: Justin shares weekly weather superlatives, including the statewide high, low, and wettest location, and the hosts correct a questionable Spencer low-temperature reading.

00:13:14–00:16:06: Dan discusses tomato botrytis issues in a high tunnel, possible management options, and whether removing infected plants could spread spores.

00:16:06–00:18:10: Dan shares that he tested positive for Cyclospora, explains the infection route, and talks about antibiotics and sun sensitivity.

00:18:10–00:20:38: The conversation turns to garlic viruses, clean seed production, and how virus-free seed can improve yields.

00:20:46–00:22:24: Dan discusses farm decision-making and labor tracking using the "Know Your Cost to Grow" approach to evaluate equipment investments.

00:22:45–00:23:31: Dan plugs Farm to Table for All, a local produce-purchasing and food-distribution effort in the Des Moines area, and mentions an upcoming event.

00:23:35–00:24:14: Madelynn reveals the trivia answer

00:24:25–00:25:18: Dan closes with thoughts on tailwinds and headwinds during RAGBRAI, congratulates riders, and signs off for the week.

summary generated using Perplexity.ai

00:00:31 Iowa weather history: July 23, 2010 flooding and Delhi dam failure

00:02:03 Trivia question on severe weather warnings in Iowa

00:02:39 Weekly forecast: hot, humid conditions with highs in the mid to upper 90s

00:03:02 Rain outlook: scattered storms, potential for localized heavy rain, low severe risk

00:04:31 Climate Prediction Center outlook: above-normal temps, below-normal precipitation trends

00:05:55 Extended outlooks: limited signals; slight precipitation increase for August

00:06:48 Recent weather recap: storms, uneven rainfall

00:07:58 Wildfire smoke impacts across the Midwest and Iowa

00:10:33 Discussion on repeated heavy rainfall in central Iowa and storm patterns

00:13:44 Temperature extremes: recent highs above 100°F and questionable low temperature readings

00:16:30 Precipitation totals: Osage leading rainfall; continued dryness in northwest Iowa

00:18:51 Home weather station experiment: large discrepancies in rainfall measurements

00:21:50 Specialty crop segment begins

00:22:06 Horticulture Field Day announcement (July 29 in Ames)

00:22:54 Purslane weed management: growth habits and control strategies

00:25:09 Bacterial canker in tomatoes: symptoms and prevention

00:26:17 Rapid crop development due to heat and degree day accumulation

00:26:40 Cyclospora outbreak: food safety considerations and transmission

00:30:12 Trivia answer revealed 

Summary generated by Perplexity.ai

It's Swass season, y'all.

00:00:49 – This Day in Iowa Weather History: the 1984 temperature swing from 35°F frost at Elkader to 100°F at Shenandoah in 24 hours

01:19 – Weekly trivia question introduced: what's Iowa's record 24-hour precipitation total?

03:15 – Weather forecast headline: slight severe storm risk overnight, hot and mostly dry week ahead with highs in the low-to-mid 90s

04:12 – Extended climate outlook: hot and dry pattern dominates 6-10 day, and 8-14 day outlooks, with a Level 3 heat risk for northwest/western Iowa July 10-14

08:41 – Past week's weather recap: multiple tornado reports, wind/hail damage, and significant flash flooding over the July 4th weekend

11:09 – Breakdown of extreme rainfall totals from the holiday weekend, including a 12+ inch radar-estimated total near Elkhart and a 10.99" official CoCoRaHS reading in Polk City

11:16 – Guidance on food safety for flooded fields, including National Organic Program waiting periods (90/120 days) and FSMA considerations

15:16 – Why CoCoRaHS gauge density matters, plus a call for listeners to join the network

18:49 – Discussion of why the storm's rainfall was under-forecasted, tied to an upper-level disturbance disrupting the priorheat dome

22:04 – Revisiting "100-year" and "1,000-year" flood terminology and annual exceedance probability

24:23 – Specialty crop impacts: Phytophthora risk in wet cucurbit/pepper fields, growth-regulator herbicide drift symptoms in tomatoes/peppers, and distinguishing drift damage from broad mite infestation

27:03 – Tip on sanitizing surfaces efficiently using a hose-end sprayer

episode summary generated using claude.ai

Resources:

• VDIFN Tool
• Ari's tutorial on YouTube for visual aids
• VDIFN User's Manual
• Crop Risk Tool

[00:00:08] Dan introduces the episode, recorded in advance while he's away, featuring guest Ari Abbrescia, Organic and Sustainable Agricultural Outreach Specialist with UW-Madison Extension.

[00:00:48] Ari provides an overview of the VDIFN (Vegetable Disease and Insect Forecasting Network), including its creators — Dr. Amanda Gevens, Dr. Russ Groves, and Ben Bradford — and its role in supporting integrated pest management across the upper Midwest. 

[00:02:06] Dan and Ari dig into a real-world example: why VDIFN appears to show flea beetles absent in Iowa when growers in southern Minnesota are already seeing them.

[00:03:36] Explaining the difference between Fahrenheit degree days (FDD) and growing degree days (GDD), and what those values mean within the flea beetle model.

[00:04:50] Ari clarifies that the VDIFN flea beetle model tracks the first hatched generation — not overwintering adults — which explains the apparent gap between model output and field observations.

[00:07:08] Key takeaway: VDIFN measures risk for damage, not pest presence — an especially important distinction when interpreting disease models like late blight.

[00:07:28] Dan shares how he wants to use VDIFN as a scouting lead-time tool for growers, and discusses Spinosad as a management option against adult flea beetles.

[00:08:42] Ari walks through the seed corn maggot model as a strong example of how VDIFN can directly inform planting timing decisions based on Fahrenheit degree day thresholds.

[00:10:18] Discussion of the early blight model for tomato, including how to use the biofix date and P-day accumulation to time preventative fungicide applications.

[00:11:14] Ari explains what P-days (physiological days) are and how they relate to degree days and disease severity tracking.

[00:14:31] Introduction of the Crop Risk Tool — a newer, still-developing tool built by Ben Bradford that allows users to save named locations, upload CSV field lists, and view risk across multiple models for specific sites.

[00:15:59] A key advantage of the Crop Risk Tool: it includes a 14-day NOAA-based forecast, allowing growers to look ahead and plan management decisions proactively.

[00:17:37] Comparing the two tools — VDIFN excels at visualizing spatial patterns and the movement of pest risk across the landscape; the Crop Risk Tool excels at site-specific, forward-looking risk assessment.

[00:19:23] Dan and Ari share a common wish-list feature: the ability for growers to select and view only their key pests and diseases for a saved location, rather than toggling through categories. Ari adds that text alerts are also a dream feature in early development.

[00:20:10] Dan notes that squash bugs and cucumber beetles are absent from VDIFN, sparking a discussion about overwintering adult pests and the diseases they vector, including bacterial wilt and squash mosaic virus.

[00:21:05] Conversation turns to Western flower thrips and onion thrips — including uncertainty about whether VDIFN's thrips model covers one, the other, or both — and whether the distinction matters for tomato spotted wilt virus management.

Episode summary generated using claude.ai

Welcome & Iowa Weather History: The 1952 F4 Tornado and the Train that raced to outrun it [00:00:07]

7-Day Weather Forecast: Quieter Pattern, QPF Totals, and Warming Trend [00:01:15]

Ring of Fire & Ridge Riders: How the Setup Affects Iowa Rain Chances [00:02:13]

8–14 Day & Monthly Climate Outlooks: Warm Signal, Near-Normal Precip, and El Niño Influence [00:02:39]

8–14 Day Hazards: Slight Risk for High Temps and Heavy Precip in Southern Iowa [00:04:45]

Northwest Iowa Dryness vs. Southeast Wetness: Farmer Reports and Crop Conditions [00:06:56]

Past Week Weather Notables: EF2 Tornado, Tornado Climatology, and Illinois' Record Year [00:07:38]

Temperature Trends: Cooler-than-Normal Stretch Easing Stress from Low Rain [00:11:01]

Weekly Superlatives: Warmest, Coolest, and Wettest/Driest Gauges [00:11:51]

Specialty Crop Impacts: Cabbage Black Rot, Kale Leaf Spots, and Squash Vine Borer Alerts [00:12:48]

Overwintered Onion Success and Weed Management Benefits [00:15:23]

Upcoming Events: Controlled Environment Ag Short Course, ISCGA Field Day, Choose Iowa Farm Crawl [00:16:17]

Special Forecast for Farm Crawl and Next Week's Episode Preview: Pest Forecasting with Degree-Day Models [00:17:57]

Episode summary generated using perplexity.ai

Episode Summary

00:00:32 – Iowa weather history: a severe 1978 thunderstorm with softball-sized hail and damaging winds from Sioux City to Webster City

00:01:09 – Follow-up on the latest recorded frost in Iowa history (June 22, 1902, in Columbus Junction) and the cooler global climate trends of that era

00:02:21 – Weekly forecast: continued active weather, more rain Saturday night into Sunday, near-normal temperatures trending slightly cooler next week, and comfortable dew points

00:03:34 – Breakdown of the storm system moving through Iowa, including a 94 mph wind gust in Marshalltown and discussion of squall lines, the low-level jet, and derecho criteria

00:07:37 – Whether last week's 8-to-14-day hazard outlook predicted this week's severe weather event

00:09:14 – New 8-to-14-day outlook (June 24–30): slightly cooler and wetter than normal, no hazards expected

00:10:06 – Three-to-four-week outlook (June 27–July 10): equal chances for above/below/near normal temperature and precipitation

00:10:35 – Discussion of June running about 4°F above the 30-year average so far

00:11:51 – Past week's weather recap: the June 10 derecho, a tornado in Washington County, and severe wind/hail damage on June 11 in southwest Iowa

00:14:37 – Verification of last week's rainfall forecast (heavy in the southeast, minimal in the northwest) and impacts on weed cultivation

00:15:34 – Weekly weather data: highs, lows, and rainfall totals across the state

00:16:14 – Recap of a windier-than-normal meteorological spring (March–May)

00:17:38 – Outlook for a wetter Gulf/southern US and its connection to a possible cooler July-August-September signal for Iowa

00:20:46 – Drought risk specifically for northwest Iowa given drier conditions there

00:21:32 – Specialty crop pest and disease update: cucumber beetles, squash vine borer, aster leafhopper/aster yellows, Japanese beetles, and halo blight on green beans

00:25:40 – Cool temperatures expected to delay heat-loving crops like tomatoes, peppers, and sweet corn

00:26:29 – Weed control strategy: understanding the "critical weed-free period" for different crops

00:27:39 – Reminder to report suspected herbicide spray drift (2,4-D/dicamba) to IDALS

00:28:52 – Upcoming Controlled Environment Ag Short Course in Ames

summary generated using claude.ai

• [00:00:42] This day in Iowa weather history: a late freeze in 1928 brought 32°F lows to Decorah and frost across the state
• [00:01:22] Weekend forecast: a break from the heat is coming, but severe weather is likely — enhanced risk (3 of 5) for much of Iowa, with 3–5 inches of rain possible in the southern third of the state
• [00:03:15] Climate outlook 6–10 days (June 15–19): 60–70% chance of below-normal temperatures for northern Iowa
• [00:04:24] Climate outlook 8–14 days (June 17–23): continued slight chance of below-normal temps; slightly wetter conditions expected; slight risk of heavy precipitation for eastern Iowa, Illinois, and Missouri
• [00:06:22] Past week recap: eastern Iowa saw 3½ inches above-normal rainfall; statewide temperatures ran 4–10 degrees above normal
• [00:07:49] Extreme data points of the week: high of 95°F at Sioux City; 5.9 inches of rain in Russell (Lucas County); dew points hitting 79°F at Osceola
• [00:09:57] Weather explainer: what is the boundary layer, and why doesn't the overnight low always drop to the dew point?
• [00:11:00] Specialty crop update: tomato trellising, weed control, and irrigation underway; poor strawberry yields reported statewide
• [00:12:31] Pest and disease alerts: growth regulator spray drift reports continue (report to IDALS if you see it); bacterial canker detected in a Kalona greenhouse tomato high tunnel; spider mites active in high tunnels
• [00:14:28] Meteorological spring recap: 7th warmest spring on record at 52°F average; near-normal precipitation; 51 tornadoes reported vs. a climatological average of 38

Summary generated by Claude.ai

[00:00:30] This day in Iowa weather history: the devastating 1860 tornado outbreak across central and eastern Iowa that killed at least 134 people and left 2,500 homeless

[00:02:44] Weekly weather forecast: rain chances Thursday and Friday, ¾"–1.5" possible; highs in the 80s, lows in the 60s

[00:03:35] 8–14 day outlook (June 10–16): above-normal temperatures, slightly wetter conditions; slight risk of hazardous temperatures June 10–11

[00:04:08] One-month outlook for June: leaning slightly above-normal temps; equal chances for precipitation

[00:05:57] Last week's weather recap: generally dry across Iowa with spotty pop-up showers; a downburst near Jefferson caused local damage; Missouri Valley led the state with 4.1" of rain

[00:08:53] Rapid onset drought risk warning for parts of eastern and northeastern Iowa

[00:09:37] Last week's temperature extremes: high of 95°F at Sioux City; lows of 47°F at multiple stations

[00:09:56] Data quality spotlight: investigating a suspicious 25°F low temperature reading

[00:11:15] Specialty crop update: leafhopper and hopper burn emerging in potatoes; Colorado potato beetle populations ramping up

[00:13:11] Managing thrips in flowers and onions; overview of organic and conventional control options including Captiva Prime as a novel tank mix

[00:15:48] Pesticide rotation strategies to prevent resistance in thrips and Colorado potato beetles

[00:17:59] Aster leafhopper and aster yellows: MSU infectivity alert now at 4%; crops to watch include garlic, flowers, and lettuce

[00:18:50] Strawberry pests: thrips damage and tarnished plant bug as the primary cause of cat-faced fruit

[00:19:22] Garlic scape management: timing of removal, yield impacts, and research exploring mowing as an option for large scale removal

[00:22:01] Upcoming event: Controlled Environments Short Course in Ames, Iowa in three weeks

summary generated using Claude.ai

• [00:00:52] On this day in Iowa weather history: 6.5 inches of rain fell in 2½ hours in Wesley, Kossuth County on May 25–26, 1991, damaging 80% of homes
• [00:01:22] Week-ahead forecast: Sunny skies, temperatures in the 80s, quiet storm track — little to no precipitation expected
• [00:02:01] 8-to-14-day outlook (valid June 2–8): Below-normal precipitation and above-normal temperatures likely across Iowa
• [00:02:59] Climate normals reminder: Average highs low-to-mid 70s, overnight lows in the 50s, ~1¼–1½ inches of rain per week
• [00:03:24] No weather hazards identified for the Midwest in the 8-to-14-day period
• [00:03:31] Past week recap: Northwest Iowa received up to 3 inches of rain; eastern and northeastern Iowa remained dry
• [00:03:59] Observed extremes since last episode: High of 95°F at Sioux City; low of 25°F at Northwood (pending verification); wettest station was Sanborn (2.49"); zero rainfall reported across much of eastern Iowa
• [00:05:07] Specialty crop update: Iowa Valley RC&D dealing with a mower PTO breakdown ahead of cover crop termination
• [00:05:58] Heated tomato greenhouse success: John Schrock (Bloomfield) reports 4 weeks of harvest, selling 1,000 lbs at $3/lb at the Southern Iowa Produce Auction
• [00:06:37] Seed germination alert: Candy Bell grape tomato variety reporting widespread germination failures — contact your seed supplier for a possible refund
• [00:07:20] FSMA update: FDA inspectors are visiting farms in person (not just calling) to verify qualified exempt status — growers report the process is straightforward and educational

Summary generated by claude.ai

00:00:35 Iowa weather history: May 1892 flooding and rare late-season snow/sleet event

00:01:17 Weekly forecast: Cooler with rain chances Thu–Fri, warming into Memorial Day weekend

00:01:40 Rainfall outlook: Light to moderate precipitation, heaviest in southwest Iowa

00:02:03 Frost update: No widespread frost, but isolated 32°F readings reported

00:02:20 8–14 day outlook: Strong signal for above-normal temperatures; slightly drier east, near-normal west

00:03:37 3–4 week outlook: Continued warm trend; mostly equal precipitation chances, slightly wetter southwest

00:04:27 El Niño discussion: Likely developing soon (82% chance), high confidence by late summer–winter

00:05:20 El Niño impacts: Weak summer correlation; possible cooler, slightly wetter Upper Midwest summers

00:08:37 Shift from ONI to RONI: New index accounts for broader ocean trends and climate change effects

00:12:22 Historical reclassification: Past El Niño events adjusted under new RONI metric

00:14:16 Recent weather recap: Active severe weather week with storms, hail, wind, and tornadoes

00:15:47 Storm impacts: 23 EF1 tornadoes, widespread wind events, heaviest activity in northwest and southwest Iowa

00:17:32 Weekly extremes: High 95°F (Sioux City), low 32°F (Emmetsburg, Sac City), heavy rainfall in Mount Ayr

00:18:00 Record rainfall: Mount Ayr logs wettest May on record with over 12 inches

00:19:34 CoCoRaHS discussion: Importance of dense rain gauge networks for accurate data and decision-making

00:22:43 Peak wind gust: 88 mph recorded in Correctionville

00:23:48 Crop planting tips: Peppers, eggplant, cucurbits, marigolds, and strawberry plug timing

00:25:31 Pest update: Low flea beetles in some areas; cucumber beetles and onion thrips active

00:26:07 Field conditions: Wet soils aiding crops but increasing weeds; cultivation timing important

00:26:19 Cover crop management: Winter rye termination strategies and timing considerations

00:27:17 Herbicide drift case: Damage to asparagus; guidance on reporting incidents to IDALS

00:28:44 Greenhouse issue: Edema in tomatillos from high humidity, not disease

00:29:12 Watermelon pollination: Grafted pollenizers improve survival and pollination success

00:30:16 SWD update: Parasitoid wasps potentially established in Minnesota

00:30:54 Disease note: Bacterial soft rot observed in lettuce after heavy rains

00:31:32 Events: Weed Control Field Day (MN) and TekFlex (MI) highlighted

00:32:11 Additional content: "Pivot Points" episode on farmer civic engagement released

Podcast Summary generated using perplexity.ai

[00:00:38] This day in Iowa weather history — a rare late-season snowfall in Des Moines on May 13th, 1918

[00:01:24] Short-term forecast — warm and active week ahead, with storm chances building through days 4–6 and 1.5–2" of rainfall possible for much of the state

[00:02:58] Temperature outlook — 60s early in the week rising to the upper 80s by Friday through Sunday

[00:04:06] Long-term temperature outlook (6–14 days) — continued warmer than normal signal through May 26th

[00:05:06] Long-term precipitation outlook — slight elevated chance May 18–22, tapering to near-normal (approximately 1"/week) through May 26th

[00:06:06] Past week in review — dry, cool, and quiet; statewide average precipitation just 0.03"; Sioux City the week's high (87°F) and low (22°F)

[00:08:20] Specialty crop spotlight — why now is the right time to plant tomatoes

[00:08:50] Pest watch — Colorado potato beetle management strategies, including organic and physical removal methods

[00:11:27] Pest watch continued — aphids and thrips in high tunnels

[00:11:56] Farm observation — herbicide drift damage (2,4-D/Dicamba) identified in a high tunnel; what to look for

[00:13:39] Farm observation continued — potyvirus identified in a tunnel tomato plant; management and spread risk via aphids

[00:14:35] Pre-rain field tasks — cultivating, planting, irrigating, and uncovering warm-season crops

[00:15:06] Upcoming event — University of Minnesota weed control cultivation field day at Featherstone Farm, Rushford, MN, May 27th, 9am–3:30pm (free, registration required)

[00:15:58] Pivot Points podcast — new Season 2 episodes on farmers and civic engagement

Podcast Summary generated using claude.ai

• [00:00:26] On this day in Iowa weather history: 7 tornadoes touched down in Iowa on May 7, 1964, causing significant damage and injuries in northeastern Iowa
• [00:00:59] 7-day forecast: Quiet, seasonal stretch ahead with temps in the 60s–70s; minimal rainfall statewide (up to 1/4" in southeast Iowa Saturday night)
• [00:01:39] Field work update: Central Iowa behind due to wet spring; northwest Iowa drier and further along, but dealing with drought conditions and freeze damage to early-planted soybeans
• [00:02:51] Frost outlook: No significant frost expected; coldest nights are Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday with lows in the mid-30s in northern Iowa
• [00:04:21] Extended outlook (8–14 days): Warmer-than-average temperatures expected May 12–16; near-normal rainfall
• [00:05:12] Monthly May outlook: Leaning warm for the second half of the month; overall lean dry for May following the 6th wettest April on record in 154 years
• [00:07:20] Past week's weather notables: Lake Park recorded 3.79" of rain; statewide temps ran 3.2°F below average; high of 86°F in Davenport, low of 23°F at Spencer Municipal Airport; 70 stations hit 32°F or below
• [00:09:01] Specialty crop impacts: Wilson's Orchard (near Des Moines) running frost protection on strawberries and apples; king blossoms blackened by a drop to 24°F; lower-than-expected apple fruit set possibly due to poor pollination conditions
• [00:11:51] Grape damage: Randall Vos reports significantly worse frost damage to grapes in eastern Iowa vs. western Iowa; topography played a major role
• [00:12:32] Thrips update: Western flower thrips confirmed in apple blossoms in western Iowa; high onion thrips numbers also reported; possible link to warm, dry winter under investigation
• [00:16:07] Planting recommendations: Good window opening for melon transplants, winter squash, zucchini, cucurbits, and possibly basil; wait another 1–2 weeks for peppers
• [00:17:43] Low tunnel flower report ahead of Mother's Day: Iceland poppies and dianthus blooming reliably
• [00:19:23] Pest alert: Flea beetles already present in Iowa — earlier than the VDIFN forecasting tool indicated; Dan plans to follow up with UW Extension on proper tool usage

summary generated using claude.ai

• [00:00:41] This day in Iowa weather history: The cold and snowy spring of 1907, linked to the eruption of the Ksudach volcano in eastern Russia
• [00:01:45] This week's forecast: A welcome break from active weather with temperatures reaching the 60s and 70s, mostly sunny skies, and high pressure taking hold
• [00:02:33] Frost advisory alert: Chances of frost Thursday and Friday nights, with lows near 32°F in northern Iowa
• [00:04:27] 8 to 14 day outlook (May 6–12): Below-normal temperatures and below-normal precipitation expected statewide
• [00:05:29] 3 to 4 week outlook (May 9–22): Continued below-normal temperatures; slight lean toward above-normal precipitation
• [00:06:09] Hazard watch: Slight risk of below-normal temperatures May 8–10, coinciding with the Mother's Day planting window
• [00:07:38] Last week's weather recap: Rainfall verified across Iowa, with some areas receiving over 2.5 inches
• [00:08:48] Severe weather recap: 10 tornado reports on April 23rd, primarily in western, south-central, and central Iowa, plus hail and high wind reports
• [00:10:21] Specialty crop planting recommendations for this week: Greens, carrots, beets, potatoes, brassicas, Swiss chard, fennel, and lettuce successions
• [00:11:08] Greenhouse starting tips: Lettuce and sweet corn successions; start melons now for post-May 10th transplanting
• [00:11:59] Pest updates: Imported cabbage worm confirmed; flea beetles still weeks away but currently emerged in central Missouri
• [00:12:40] Field management: Get cultivation done as soon as field surfaces dry out; begin tillage for future beds when further drying happens
• [00:12:53] Grower report — Garlic: Crop failure in unmulched beds linked to root rot (Fusarium?); mulched garlic faring well
• [00:14:26] Grower report — Onion thrips: Thrips found on black plastic mulch before transplanting, possibly harbored in nearby garlic plantings
• [00:15:41] Call for speakers: Seeking growers and researchers for the Organic Vegetable Production Conference and High Tunnel Short Course

• 00:00:33 Madelynn returns from maternity leave—baby Lucille (Lucy) born Jan 21 (9 days late), quick hospital stay, family support, travel to 4 states; transitioning to part-time (30 hrs/wk, 3 office days, reachable Thu/Fri).

• 00:02:48 On this day in Iowa history: 1870 Estherville Vindicator first used "blizzard" for weather (earliest known); etymology from 19th-century US (violent blow/gunshot to storm, Midwest 1870s-80s).

• 00:04:33 7-day forecast: Severe today (tornado/squall risk west IA, slight risk); storms Sun-Mon; 1.5+ inches rain (frontal north, convective SE/SW); cooler than recent warm spell.

• 00:06:18 6-10/8-14 day outlook: Below-normal temps (highs upper 50s-low 60s N-S, lows mid/upper 30s N to 40s S); mixed precip, slight above-normal south in 6-10 days.

• 00:08:00 Past week: Apr 17 severe (4 IA tornadoes NE/E, high winds E, large hail central/south-central); weekend cold front/freeze; recent warm-up (89°F Mapleton/Sioux City); field work 2.7 days avg statewide.

• 00:15:08 Specialty crops—field work: Seize windows for tillage/plastic mulch/cultivation (weeds up); plant potatoes/broccoli/cauliflower/cabbage/lettuce/snapdragons/salads; delay tomatoes/peppers/basil; propagate late transplants.

• 00:17:30 Pests: Seed corn/cabbage/onion maggots advancing (row cover onions); CO potato beetle in south IA; imported cabbageworm peaking (cover/spray brassicas); thrips rising (onions, apples, flowers, peonies).

• 00:20:17 Field reports: Sweet corn cold damage uneven/recoverable; strawberry blooms covered, stagger via mulch/varieties (Purdue article); onion thrips strategies (cover then spray?); apple thrips (Grandevo/Delegate/Radiant options).

podcast summary generated using perplexity.ai

What in the Weather: Iowa Weather and Specialty Crops Update - April 16, 2026

• 00:00:13 - Intro and This Day in Iowa Weather History: Iowa weather history from April 16, 1967, including an F3 tornado, large hail, fatalities, and historic dust storms the next day.

• 00:02:10 - Short-Term Forecast: Discussion of severe weather risks through Friday, followed by cooler weekend temps with freeze potential Saturday night, transitioning to sunny, quiet conditions next week.

• 00:04:02 - Extended Outlook: 8-14 day forecast shows near-normal temps and leaning wet; 3-4 week leans cooler/wetter; initial May outlook neutral, hinging on late April patterns like West Coast ridging.

• 00:05:44 - Wind and Recent Events: Confirmation of elevated winds April 16-20 (gusts to 30 mph Saturday), recent severe weather (hail dominant in eastern Iowa), tornadoes (11 in north, 5 in east), temp extremes (89°F high, 20°F low), and heavy rain (top-5 wettest April in parts).

• 00:12:09 - Specialty Crop Impacts: Wind damage reports (chicken tractors, center pivots); proactive field prep at Sun Dog Farm (plastic mulch, straw paths); advanced phenology (garlic, strawberries blooming); Cornucopia Farm tunnel recovery and expansions.

• 00:18:20 - Fruit Crops Update (Randall Vos): Area-specific bud stages (peaches/plums past bloom, pears full bloom, apples pink tip, grapes swelling); low freeze concern at 32-33°F but watch low spots; damage signs (black pistils, black centers); variety hardiness notes.

Summary generated using perplexity.ai

What in the Weather | Episode Summary — April 9, 2026 

• [00:00:28] On this day in Iowa weather history: the 2007 Easter freeze cold wave event (April 3–10) and its impacts on winter wheat, blooming fruits, and emerging corn across the Central Plains and Midwest.

• [00:02:44] Seven-day weather forecast for Iowa: an active, warm, and wet pattern with multiple storm systems, a 15% chance of severe thunderstorms on days five through seven, and potential rainfall totals of one to five inches across the state.

• [00:05:08] Extended outlook: active and wet conditions expected to continue through the second half of April, with a slight risk of high winds between the 16th and 20th.

• [00:06:35] Recap of last week's weather: statewide average of 2.3 inches of rainfall, wind gusts up to 60 mph in Carroll, and why last week's severe weather outlook didn't fully materialize.

• [00:10:10] Cold temperatures on April 6th: lows of 22°F in northwest Iowa and 38°F in Des Moines — and why Des Moines stayed warmer than forecast.

• [00:11:15] Specialty crop impacts: fruit blossom freeze risk thresholds for peaches, pears, cherries, apples, and grapes, with notes on radiational freezing and earlier December cold damage.

• [00:13:01] Field notes from Dan: snapdragon overwintering results, compost tea injection troubleshooting for drip irrigation systems, and a significant greenhouse crop loss at Grade A Gardens during the recent blizzard.

• [00:16:25] Grower spotlight: cut flower farmer Jeff Morrow of Two Morrow's Acres discusses heat stress on cool-season crops, early blooming ranunculus and delphinium, and the tulip festival outlook for Pella and Orange City.

• [00:18:21] Announcements: upcoming FSMA water rule webinar next Wednesday 4/15, and an organic inspector job opening at IDALS (applications open through April 28th).

Podcast Summary generated using Claude.ai

Episode Summary: "What in the Weather" — April 2, 2026

• 00:27 – Iowa Weather History (1982): A dramatic cold front brought an 84–85°F high, then a 40°F temperature drop within an hour, followed by snow and blizzard conditions.

• 01:28 – This Week's Forecast: Two rounds of potential severe weather Thursday and Friday; rainfall 1–2½"+; followed by a weekend cool-down with frost and freeze potential.

• 03:09 – Discussion of how soil moisture affects overnight lows and frost levels across Iowa.

• 03:47 – Northwestern Iowa identified as driest region, likely to miss the heavier rains forecast for the east.

• 04:26 – Extended Outlook: Near-normal temps mid-April; wet pattern through at least the first half of the month; warmer, wetter signals toward late April.

• 06:33 – Recent Weather Recap: Monday night hail in central Iowa (Polk/Story Counties); vivid lightning; multiple rounds of rainfall from moving low-pressure systems.

• 08:15 – Dan describes seeing wavy cloud formations; Justin explains gravity waves caused by thunderstorms interacting with the tropopause.

• 10:26 – Temperature Extremes: Warmest—91°F in Clarinda; Coldest—10°F in Fayette.

• 11:04 – Specialty Crop Impacts: Early sweet corn planting underway; benefits of using plastic mulch for soil warmth.

• 13:19 – Fruit Crop Updates: Grapes at bud swell, plums blooming, pears at tight cluster—potential freeze risk; link to Michigan State's fruit freeze chart.

• 14:43 – Strawberry growers cautioned about freeze damage; row cover and sprinkler tips for small and large patches.

• 16:06 – Emerging Pest Alert: Lily leaf beetle —Have you seen it?

• 16:57 – Good Friday Potato Tradition: Historical planting custom versus agronomic timing; Dan's reflections on planting dates, frost tolerance, and pest cycles.

• 18:52 – Discussion of biodynamic planting calendars (Maria Thun and Stella Natura) and how lunar cycles are used by some to guide crop timing.

episode summary generated using perplexity.ai

Episode Summary

00:00:08 – 1907 Iowa weather history: record 92°F March heat, followed by volcanic eruption–driven spring cooling

00:01:31 – New March 2026 heat record: Little Sioux hits 97°F, breaking the all‑time Iowa March temperature record and surpassing previous 92°F marks from 1907 and 1986.

00:03:37 – This week's forecast: small rain chance Thursday, brief freeze Friday night, then temperatures rebounding into 70s–80s with a more active pattern and storm chances late next week.

00:04:48 – Mesoscale vs. synoptic systems: how models handle uncertainty, why forecasts "oscillate" several days out, and what that means for multiple‑day rain and severe weather threats.

00:07:03 – 7‑day QPF and early April outlooks: light northwest to heavier southeast Iowa rain gradients, plus warmer‑wetter Climate Prediction Center outlooks hinting at more thunderstorms.

00:08:56 – April patterns, wind, and frost risk: why April is Iowa's windiest month, how high‑amplitude ridges/troughs can still bring freezes amidst hot spells, and thoughts on planting timing vs. last frost dates.

00:12:57 – Recent extremes recap: details on the recent blizzard with 70 mph gusts, interstate closures, and the rapid flip to record March heat across Iowa and neighboring states.

00:14:29 – Severe Weather Awareness Week: overview of Storm Prediction Center convective outlook categories (marginal to high), the new "conditional intensity" layer, and how hatching now signals potential for violent tornadoes.

00:19:14 – Specialty crop planning: why growers may want to do spring tillage early ahead of a wetter, more active April while still being cautious about planting frost‑tender crops too soon.

00:20:16 – Recent crop impacts: damage to overwintered green onions in low tunnels, contrasting resilience of bulb onions and spinach, and low‑tunnel disease issues like sclerotinia in flowers after rapid warmups.

00:23:28 – Greenhouse tomato disease update: significant Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus losses in Red Deuce, and strong recommendations to switch to TSWV‑resistant tomato varieties despite good yield potential of Red Deuce.

00:24:26 – Mechanical weed control field days: University of Minnesota's free, on‑farm mechanical weeding workshops (starting May 27 at Featherstone Farm) featuring cultivating tractors, tools, hands‑on demos, and peer learning for vegetable growers.

Summary generated using perplexity.ai

Episode Summary

• [00:00:19] Welcome and introductions — Dan Fillius and Justin Glisan kick off the episode.

• [00:00:40] On this day in Iowa weather history — a powerful 1954 storm brought dirty snow, sleet, freezing rain, and widespread damage to telephone and power lines across Iowa.

• [00:01:19] Week ahead forecast — a winter storm system is expected this weekend with significant precipitation, especially in northeast Iowa, along with high winds and red flag warnings through Friday. Warmer and drier conditions are expected later in the month.

• [00:04:02] Recent weather notables — much of Iowa has seen 170–400% of normal precipitation so far this month, with temperatures running about 14 degrees above average statewide.

• [00:05:16] Severe weather recap — two severe weather events struck the region, including a tornado watch in central Iowa and a historic hail event near Kankakee, Illinois, where football-shaped hailstones measuring 6–8 inches were reported, potentially a new state record.

• [00:10:26] Iowa's first tornadoes of the season — two tornadoes reported in Lee County in far southeastern Iowa caused minor damage.

• [00:10:47] Specialty crop updates — Dan shares observations on overwintering crops including garlic, onions, kale, Salanova, and flowers, with notes on what survived the winter and what didn't.

• [00:15:53] Nitrogen mineralization — an overview of Iowa State Extension's FACTS tool, showing how much nitrogen is mineralized across Iowa's climate divisions, when it peaks, and what it means for early-season crop fertility planning.

• [00:19:23] Closing — no episode next week due to spring break; the show returns the last week of March.

episode summary generated using Claude.ai

• Season 4 kicks off with Dan Fillius and Justin Glisan; Madelynn Wuestenberg is on maternity leave
• On this day in Iowa weather history: the record-breaking snowstorm of March 4–6, 1959, which stranded an estimated 20,000 vehicles in Des Moines
• Active weather week ahead: strong to severe thunderstorm potential, especially southern Iowa, with 1.5–2.5 inches of rain possible in the southeast over the next 7 days
• Climate outlook: leaning warm and wet through mid-March, with conditions trending back toward near-normal by the 8–14 day window
• 2026 humidity outlook: drought in the Southern Plains may mean lower dew points and overnight lows than the notably muggy summer of 2025
• Meteorological winter recap: warmer than average, significant snow drought, and the 22nd driest winter on record
• Deep dive into the MRCC's Accumulated Winter Season Severity Index (AWSSI), including historical highlights back to 1953
• Specialty crop update: Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus confirmed in a heated greenhouse; field testing and variety resistance (Big Beef Plus vs. Red Deuce) discussed
• Cotyledon salt damage in tomato transplants revisited; grower conducting potting media trial
• Resources mentioned: Randall Vos's article on grape vine dormancy and chilling hours; Cornell asparagus webinar (March 17, $20); open position for ISU vegetable production specialist

Episode summary generated using Claude.ai

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

Podcast summary generated using Claude.ai

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

Episode summary generated using claude.ai

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.

Podcast summary generated using claude.ai

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)

summary generated using claude.ai

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

summary generted using claude.ai

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

podcast summary generated using Claude.ai

Weather History & Forecast:

• 1942: Early snowfall hit Iowa on this date, with up to 4 inches accumulating in some areas
• Coming week: Unseasonably warm and dry with sunny days, temperatures above normal
• Extended outlook: Strong warm signal through early October, particularly in upper Midwest

Recent Weather:

• Past week: 8-12 degrees above average statewide
• First above-average rainfall period in weeks (with the highest, 4.54", in Fort Dodge!)
• Eastern Iowa remained drier than western areas

Specialty Crop Updates:

• Peppers: Good yields continuing due to warm weather; some cyclamen/broad mite issues observed in Newton area
• Carmen peppers: Unusual spiciness reported - growers advised to check
• Melons: Reduced solar radiation from cloudy, wet summer conditions may have contributed to poor season (theory posited by Jordan Lyon, Buser's Produce)
• Tomatoes: Splitting issues due to uneven rainfall patterns

Frost Outlook:

• No widespread frost expected through October 11th based on dew point forecasts
• Warm, dry conditions may still allow nighttime cooling near normal levels

Upcoming Events:

• October 4: Nut Growers of Iowa field day (Centerville/Ottumwa)
• October 7: Shimek Forestry field day (southeast Iowa)
• October 9: Yellow River Forestry field day (northeast Iowa)

Greenhouse/High Tunnel Tip:

• Control weeds now to prevent pest and disease carryover through winter

Podcast Summary generated using claude.ai

• Historical Weather Moment: In 1912, Iowa experienced extreme weather swings from 104°F heat to snow flurries within just 9 days in September

• Current Forecast: Unsettled weather with cut-off low pressure system bringing increased precipitation chances, potential storms with wind and small hail, but overall benign conditions

• 8-14 Day Outlook: "Red bullseye" over Iowa and Minnesota indicating high likelihood of above-normal temperatures (mid-upper 70s vs normal) through September 30th

• Recent Weather Events: Northern Iowa hit with 1+ inch hail reports across multiple counties; Fort Dodge area received 4+ inches of rainfall; most of central Iowa remained dry

• Summer Glory Index Results: Iowa's meteorological summer rated as "fine" with SGI of 1420, held back primarily by July's high dew points and overnight lows; only 3 days reached 100°F in Western Iowa

• Fall Foliage Prediction: Favorable conditions for vibrant fall colors with warm days, cool nights, and sunshine; early color changes already spotted on individual tree branches

• Specialty Crop Update: Poor pumpkin harvest continues due to fruit set issues and rot problems; fall brassicas showing alternaria from earlier wet conditions but later plantings look strong; fall carrots performing well

Summary generated using Claude.ai

• Hot and dry conditions ahead with temperatures in low-mid 90s and heat index values in mid-upper 90s

• 8-14 day outlook shows continued warmth into late September with slight chance for above normal precipitation

• ENSO update: 71% chance of La Niña transition October-December, signaling potential warm and dry fall/winter

• Chilly temperatures that felt great after a hot summer

• Mostly dry conditions with under 0.4 inches for most of the state

• First freeze of season recorded at Stanley, Iowa (32°F on September 7th)

• Pumpkins: Strong auction prices ($5-10 vs typical $2-3) but poor growing season with fruit set issues

• Cucumbers: Cold damage causing unmarketable scarring at Featherstone Farm

• Melons: Season ended 6+ weeks early, creating H-2A labor contract challenges for growers

• Watermelons: Poor year especially in low-lying areas due to fruit rot

• Flowers: Mixed reports - Rose Farm had great year, others experienced delays

• Honey production: Drastically reduced to 1/5 of expected yields, indicating widespread pollinator issues

• September 11, 1917: Earliest freeze on record hit eastern Iowa with temperatures as low as 30°F, causing considerable damage to corn, potatoes, and other late crops

• Summer Glory Index results and fall foliage outlook

Podcast summary generated using Claude.ai

• Iowa Weather History (1989): Large thunderstorms brought heavy rain to western Iowa with severe weather and brief tornadoes, causing wind damage, roof damage, and trees falling on cars
• 7-Day Forecast: Cool autumn weather with clear skies and below-average temperatures; best rain chances on days 4-6 due to Atlantic activity and shifted Bermuda high
• Climate Outlook: September 9-13 shows slightly warmer temperatures and higher precipitation chances in western Iowa; monthly outlook suggests equal temperature chances and wetter conditions statewide

• Past Week: Most of Iowa received below-normal rainfall (0.5" below average), except western/southwestern Iowa which saw above-average amounts
• Cold Snap: Some locations hit around 40°F, causing potential localized damage to sensitive plants like basil but not widespread frost damage
• Summer 2025 Overview: 10th wettest summer in 153 years with 18.5" total precipitation (5" above average); July was 2nd wettest on record; August was drier at 3.4" (0.75" below average)

• Seasonal Pattern: Heavy dews occur in late August/early September due to shorter daylight hours and cooling surface temperatures
• Science: Earth radiates heat overnight while warm air masses remain overhead, reaching dew point and creating heavy condensation
• Crop Impact: Wet leaves from heavy dews can promote foliar pathogens and crop decline

• Foxtail Grass Seeds: Grower concerned about viability of mowed green foxtail; recommended germination testing with moist paper towel method
• Compost Management: While beneficial, compost can raise soil pH and create phosphorus excess due to 1:1:1 N-P-K ratio; rule of thumb: 1% organic matter = 20 lbs nitrogen per season
• Nitrogen in Rainfall: Addressed grower question about delayed flower blooming; rainfall contains minimal nitrogen (0.5-3 mg/L) compared to irrigation water nitrate levels (10+ mg/L); plant greening after rain is primarily due to improved nutrient availability from soil moisture, not atmospheric nitrogen
• Cover Crops: Good timing now for oats and peas establishment; winter rye timing approaching; recommend seeding when rainfall is expected

Episode Summary created by Claude.ai

Weather Forecast & Conditions:

• Cold front moving south from Minnesota will stall over Iowa, bringing rain chances Friday-Sunday
• Expected rainfall: up to 1-1.5 inches in northwest Iowa, less than 0.5 inches elsewhere 
• Cool temperatures continuing into early September (50-60% chance of below normal temps)
• First overnight lows in the 40s recorded this past week

Historical Weather Note:

• August 28, 1979: Violent F3-F4 tornado tracked 45 miles across southwestern Iowa, killing 2 people and causing millions in damage

Growing Season Challenges:

• One grower called this "the worst growing season in recent memory" due to excessive rain and heat
• Watermelon season ending 1.5 months early due to persistent rainfall (14 inches over 2-3 weeks)
• Widespread crop diseases including Phytophthora on pumpkins, pepper anthracnose, bacterial spot, and southern rust on sweet corn

Specialty Crop Impacts:

• Cut flower growers dealing with high soil pH (7.7) and nutrient leaching
• Recommendations to remove diseased peppers to prevent further spread
• Discussion of sprayer technology resources for disease management

Looking Ahead:

• Hope for warm, dry fall to help struggling crops mature
• Next week will feature meteorological summer season review and in 2 weeks, the Summer Glory Index results

Podcast summary generated using Claude.ai

• Historic perspective: August 21, 2004 saw unusually cool temps (upper 30s) in northern Iowa - opposite of current conditions
• Hot summer analysis: July averaged 2°F above normal with exceptional humidity (85% of days had above-average dew points)
• Heat index impact: Triple-digit heat index values driven more by high dew points (upper 70s-low 80s) than air temperatures
• Moisture source: Gulf moisture "gate wide open" with southerly winds bringing exceptional humidity to upper Midwest

• Weekend cooldown: Dramatic temperature drop to highs in 70s, overnight lows in upper 40s-mid 50s
• Extended outlook: Southeastern Iowa likely colder late August, September outlook shows warm/dry trend
• Precipitation: Minimal rainfall expected (0.1-0.25") with best chance Friday night into Saturday
• La Niña watch: Potential fall development could affect late October/November weather patterns

• Disease issues: Rhizoctonia root rot affecting snapdragons; tomato brown rugose fruit virus causing uneven ripening
• Pest spotlight: European corn borer infesting dahlia stems and peppers - biological control with Trichogramma wasps recommended
• Growing challenges: Excessive moisture limiting planting windows; late-planted fall crops struggling to establish
• Crop performance: Good pepper year for some growers, but eggplant and tomato fruit set suffering from heat stress

• Penn State cut flower production newsletter
• Utah State University cut flower resources

Coming in September to your favorite podcast platform: Pivot Points, a new podcast exploring the stories of farmers who have made big changes to their farms and in their lives.

Follow the Pivot Points podcast to make sure you get the podcasts as soon as they are released.

Iowa's top 10 historical rainfalls

• 10th Place: Sheridan (Lucas County) - 11.23 inches on August 27th, 1903

• 9th Place: Ionia (Chickasaw County) - 11.25 inches on August 9th, 2021

• 8th Place: Dumont (Butler County) - 11.28 inches on July 17th, 1968

• 7th Place: Castana Experimental Research Farm (Monona County) - 12.02 inches on July 17th, 1996

• 6th Place: Bonaparte (Van Buren County) - 12.1 inches on June 10th, 1905

• 5th Place: Hudson (Black Hawk County) - 12.28 inches on June 1st, 2000

• 4th Place: Rathbun Dam (Appanoose County) - 12.34 inches on August 24th, 2007

• 3rd Place: Le Mars (Plymouth County) - 12.41 inches on January 5th, 2009

• 2nd Place: Audubon - 12.53 inches on July 2nd, 1958

• 1st Place: Atlantic 1 NE (Cass County) - 13.18 inches on June 14th, 1998

• Definition & Media Coverage
  • "Corn sweat" is simply a catchy term for evapotranspiration
  • Justin Glisan was interviewed by major news outlets (Washington Post, CNN, USA Today, CBS)
  • The phenomenon was trending during the hottest week of July 2025 during a heat dome
• Scientific Reality
  • Corn releases water vapor and oxygen through transpiration (not actually "sweating")
  • Adds 3-5% to relative humidity locally (3-5 degrees to dew point)
  • Peak evapotranspiration occurs during corn pollination/tasseling season
  • Iowa has 13 million acres of corn contributing to this effect
• Comparative Analysis
  • Prairie grasses actually have slightly higher evapotranspiration rates than corn
  • Corn and soybeans have very similar ET rates during peak growth
  • Historical prairie landscape would have different hydrology and soil structure
  • Modeling is used to understand these complex comparisons since full-scale experiments aren't feasible
• Weather Forecasting History
  • First tornado warning issued in 1940s by Miller and Fawbush at Air Force base
  • WWII and 1946 weather radar development improved forecasting capabilities
  • 1925 Tri-State tornado killed ~700 people despite warning signs, but no communication system existed
  • Modern forecasting balances accuracy with avoiding "boy who cried wolf" scenario
• Social Media & Public Education
  • Madelynn Wuestenberg urges people to stop sharing corn sweat TikToks
  • Working on program to fact-check weather-related social media content
  • Emphasizes need for agricultural meteorologists with both meteorology and agronomy backgrounds

Summary generated by Claude.ai