PRST STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID OMAHA, NE PERMIT NO. 36
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Volume VI, Statewide Issue 2
March 2012
Heading for a record-setting March? by Gordon Wolf The unusually warm March weather has sent farmers to their fields, but it is far too early to think of planting. “The soil is not too wet by any means and it’s been perfect to get field work done,” said State Climatologist Harry Hillaker with the Iowa Department of Agriculture. However, even though the soil temperature is warm, Hillaker doubts that many, if any, producers want to take the chance that it won’t freeze again. “There’s a good likelihood that a freeze is down the road, not in the next 10 days or a little longer, but sometime,” he stated.
The last day for frost, according to the statewide average, based on the past 30 years, is April 26, still more than a month away. “If we don’t get a freeze before the end of March, the odds are very good there will be one in April,” Hillaker commented. Through March 20, the statewide average temperature for the month was 14.8 degrees above normal. That’s two degrees above the previous warmest March, which occurred in 1910. “Given the forecast for the rest of the month, that’s probably not going to change much,” said Hillaker. “That’s very unusual
but probably no surprise to anyone.” Hillaker said the warm weather and recent rainfall is sending a mixed message. “The positive is the warm weather removed any vestige of frost in the ground, so 100 percent of the moisture can make its way into the soil. That’s a little bit unusual for March,” he stated. “On the negative side, because it has been very warm, more moisture has evaporated, so all together it’s kind of a wash.” Hillaker said the driest area of the state is currently in Sac, Calhoun and Webster counties. He continued that overall, the state needs more rain.