From NWS
2003: Clear skies and dry air allowed for large swings in temperature throughout the day. At Spencer a morning low of 35 F was recorded followed by an afternoon high of 89 F. At Glenwood and Red Oak the temperature reached 90 F making this the latest date of the year with 90 degree temperatures in Iowa since October 30, 1950.

1982: A strong storm system produced severe weather followed by heavy snow across about the northern half of Iowa. During the day on the 19th thunderstorms swept across the region with quarter sized hail falling for more than 10 minutes at Cleghorn in Cherokee County, accumulating to 3000 pounds on the scale at the farmers co-op elevator. Later that night and into the morning of the 20th snow fell with Sioux City reporting 8.0 inches which is their second-highest October snowfall on record. Other reported snowfall amounts included 8.0 inches at Akron, Hawarden, and Sibley, 7.0 inches at Rock Rapids, 4.0 inches at Cresco, 3.0 inches at Castana and Independence, 2.0 inches at Decorah, 1.5 inches at Audubon, Iowa Falls, New Hampton, and Oelwein, and 0.8 inches at Des Moines.

Posted under Weather History