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What in the Weather?Author: Dan Fillius; Justin Glisan; Madelynn Wuestenberg
This one's for you if you want to understand weather better! Join Dan Fillius, Iowa State University Extension Horticulture Field Specialist, and Dr. Justin Glisan, Iowa's State Climatologist, as they discuss what is happening in the world of Iowa weather. Every week during the main growing season we'll discuss recent weather, its impacts on fruits and vegetables, and provide a climate outlook for the coming week in Iowa. Let us know what you think, though as Mark Twain once said, "If you don't like the weather, wait a few minutes." Language: en-us Genres: Natural Sciences, Nature, Science Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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12/18/25 - This Warm December
Episode 32
Thursday, 18 December, 2025
Podcast Summary 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
