Weekly Iowa Weather Summarty, August 26, 2018
Cooler conditions were observed statewide during the reporting period with average temperatures up to five degrees below normal in some locations. Much of Iowa also saw above average rainfall accumulations, generally ranging from one to three inches.
A large low pressure system continued to spin over the state on Monday, bringing heavy rainfall to northern and western Iowa. Over fifty stations reported precipitation totals above one inch; Fort Dodge (Webster County) recorded 3.95 inches.
A weak tornado was also reported during the evening in Clinton County, damaging crops and trees. High pressure dominated on Tuesday, bringing cooler conditions to Iowa. Average highs were well below normal, especially in western Iowa; Denison (Crawford County) observed a high of 65 degrees, almost 18 degrees below average. Cool and dry conditions continued into Wednesday and over much of the state on Thursday, as the high pressure propagated across northern Missouri.
Showers and thunderstorms moved into southwest Iowa Thursday morning, bringing measurable rainfall. Another complex of thunderstorms developed along the Iowa-Missouri border early Friday bringing much needed rain to southeastern Iowa. Multiple stations in Appanoose, Davis, and Wapello counties observed rainfall between one and two inches, with isolated totals nearing three inches.
Severe storms also formed and moved rapidly through northern Iowa, with a few severe hail and high wind reports from Buffalo Center (Kossuth County) to Mason City (Cerro Gordo County). Leftover thundershowers moved out of eastern Iowa early Saturday, leaving minor accumulations. On Sunday another round of thunderstorms fired along a warm front, with two severe wind reports that evening in north central Iowa. Weekend temperatures were up to four degrees warmer across much of Iowa, with Donnellson (Lee County) observing the week’s high temperature of 95 degrees.
Source: Dr. Justin Glisan, State Climatologist, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship