You would probably agree that 2012 was a warm year, but did you know it is the warmest year on record. It beat the old record by one degree.

Here are the top 5:

2012: 55.32 deg
1998: 54.32 deg
2006: 54.30 deg
1934: 54.13 deg
1999: 53.93 deg

From NCDC:

According to NOAA scientists, the average temperature for the contiguous U.S. for 2012 was 55.3°F, which was 3.2°F above the 20th century average and 1.0°F above the previous record from 1998. The year consisted of the fourth warmest winter, a record warm spring, the second warmest summer, and a warmer-than-average autumn. Although the last four months of 2012 did not bring the same unusual warmth as the first 8 months of the year, the September through December temperatures were warm enough for 2012 to remain the record warmest year, by a wide margin.

Click here for the complete story from the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC).

Posted under Climate

Posted under Climate

Posted under Climate

The September outlook is above normal temperatures and below normal precipitation across Iowa. The fall outlook (Sept/Oct/Nov) is above normal temperatures and near normal precipitation.

Click here for the complete report from the Climate Prediction Center (CPC).

Posted under Climate, Long Range Outlook

From the NCDC:
The average temperature for the contiguous U.S. during August was 74.4°F, 1.6°F above the long term average, marking the 16^th warmest August on record. The warmer than average August, in combination with the hottest July and a warmer than average June, contributed to the third hottest summer on record since recordkeeping began in 1895.

Click here for the complete story.

Posted under Climate

Today we reached 90+ degrees this afternoon making it the 5th day so far this year in Waterloo. Here is a look back at how many days the high temperature was 90+ in Waterloo. The last two bars on the right are the record max and min number of 90+ days ever recorded in one year and the year it occurred. 

Posted under Climate, Temperatures

Click on the image to enlarge.

Posted under Climate, Long Range Outlook, NOAA

Click on the image to enlarge

Posted under Climate, Precipitation Totals, Temperatures

Forty-four years ago, five tornadoes hit the state of Iowa on May 15. A F5 tornado stuck Charles City at around 4:50 pm. Charles City took a direct hit. The tornado destroyed 337 homes and 1,250 vehicles. Debris was found 35 miles away in Minnesota. One interesting fact is that the tornado left all the bars standing but damaged all eight churches in Charles City. The tornado traveled a length of 65 miles and also hit Elma before dissipating four miles south of the Minnesota border. When it was over, 13 were dead, 2,000 homes were damaged or destroyed and it created an estimated $31.5 million in damage.

Seven mintues after Charles City was hit, another F5 tornado struck Oelwein and Maynard. This tornado traveled over 13 miles. Homes were swept from their foundations. Nearly 1,000 homes were damaged or destroyed with damage totaling $21 million. There were five fatalities with over 156 injuries.

The other three tornadoes were weak compared to these two. A F1 tornado destroyed two farmsteads in Audubon and resulted in one injury. Another F1 tornado briefly touched down in Fayette county at Jackson Junction. The third tornado was a F2 and hit Howard and Winneshiek counties. No fatalities or injuries were reported with this tornado.

Below are just a few pictures from that day:

More photos and information from that day can be found here.

Here is a facebook page where you can have a conversation about the historic day.

Posted under Climate, Severe Weather, Weather History

It’s official. La Niña has come to an end. The Climate Prediction Center reported that the La Niña had dissipated during April and conditions are currently neutral. The Climate Prediction Center is forecasting neutral conditions until the end of the summer. However, an El Niño may develop by September and could affect our winter weather. We will have to continue to track it as the fall months draw closer.

Here is the Climate Prediction Center’s current summer outlook for the United States:

For more information on La Niña/El Niño conditions, visit the Climate Prediction Center.

Posted under Climate