What in the Weather?

10/9/26 - Field Work Now, Rain Returns Next Week

01:03 — Weather history: An early October 1970 snowstorm brought record-setting snowfall to western and northwestern Iowa, including nine inches in Hawarden. 01:48 — Se

9/29/26 - Maybe the Wettest September on Record

[00:00:31] Iowa weather history: a look back at late-September 1985, when widespread rain, sleet, and snow occurred across Iowa, including trace snowfall in Des Moines.

9/24/26 - A "Wretched" Summer and "San Diego, IA"

[00:00:34] Iowa weather history: Justin looks back at September 24, 1985, when snowflakes mixed with rain in Des Moines—among the earliest observations of snow in Iowa hi

9/17/26 - Iowa El Niño Outlook

00:00:42 — Iowa weather history for September 17: a dramatic 1912 transition from record late-season heat to early snow and flurries. 00:01:17 — Weather trivia: How doe

9/10/26 - Meteorological Summer Recap

[00:00:27] This Day in Iowa Weather History: Early frost event of September 10, 1976; record lows across multiple stations. [00:01:27] Short-term outlook: No frost risk

Bonus Episode: Dr. Ajay Nair - The Future of Iowa Horticulture

I caught up with Dr. Ajay Nair at the 2026 Farm Progress Show in Boone, IA. He shared with me his vision for Horticulture at Iowa State University and in the state of Iow

9/2/26 - Fruit Farm Progress Show

00:00:08 — Welcome to What in the Weather?, recorded from the Farm Progress Show. 00:00:33 — Iowa weather history: the damaging, unusually early statewide frost of Sept

8/27/26 - When is Black Rot not Black Rot?

Find full show notes at https://www.extension.iastate.edu/commercialhort/82726-notes-what-weather 00:00:32 Iowa weather history: Heavy thunderstorms in 1903 produced ex

8/19/26 - A bit more rain today, then maybe it'll dry out?

[00:00:51] Iowa weather history for August 19: A destructive 1898 severe-weather event brought straight-line winds, hail, heavy rain, property damage, and fatalities acro

8/12/26 - Ridge Riders: Mount Up

00:00:25 — Iowa weather history: two violent 1974 tornadoes caused F4 damage in eastern Iowa. 00:01:31 — Weather trivia asks listeners to identify the leading cause of

8/5/26 - Wet areas staying wet, Dry areas staying dry

[00:00:08] August 5 Iowa weather history segment, including a severe 1989 thunderstorm complex and derecho discussion. [00:01:35] Madelynn shares the weather trivia que

7/29/26 - Hot and muggy, then rain, then normal temps and drier

00:00:08–00:02:00: Dan and Justin discuss the first recorded tornado damage in Iowa history from 1804. 00:02:00–00:04:05: The team previews the coming week's forecast,

7/23/26 - Temps will ramp up. Fun facts about Purslane.

00:00:31 Iowa weather history: July 23, 2010 flooding and Delhi dam failure 00:02:03 Trivia question on severe weather warnings in Iowa 00:02:39 Weekly forecast: hot,

7/8/26 - Staying Hot, Drying Out

It's Swass season, y'all. 00:00:49 – This Day in Iowa Weather History: the 1984 temperature swing from 35°F frost at Elkader to 100°F at Shenandoah in 24 hours 01:19

Bonus Episode: Predicting Pest Arrival using VDIFN, with Ari Abbrescia, UW Madison Extension

Resources: VDIFN Tool Ari's tutorial on YouTube for visual aids VDIFN User's Manual Crop Risk Tool [00:00:08] Dan introduces the episode, recorded in advance while he's

6/23/26 - NW is still dry, SE is still wet

Welcome & Iowa Weather History: The 1952 F4 Tornado and the Train that raced to outrun it [00:00:07] 7-Day Weather Forecast: Quieter Pattern, QPF Totals, and Warming Tr

6/17/26 - Recap of Heavy Rain, Large Hail, and High Winds From the Past Week

Episode Summary 00:00:32 – Iowa weather history: a severe 1978 thunderstorm with softball-sized hail and damaging winds from Sioux City to Webster City 00:01:09 – Fol

6/10/26 - 2026 Meteorological Spring Recap

[00:00:42] This day in Iowa weather history: a late freeze in 1928 brought 32°F lows to Decorah and frost across the state [00:01:22] Weekend forecast: a break from the h

6/3/26 - Pesticide Rotation Strategies and Even More Thrips!

[00:00:30] This day in Iowa weather history: the devastating 1860 tornado outbreak across central and eastern Iowa that killed at least 134 people and left 2,500 homeless

5/26/26 - Drier and warmer ahead, FSMA Inspection Testimonial

[00:00:52] On this day in Iowa weather history: 6.5 inches of rain fell in 2½ hours in Wesley, Kossuth County on May 25–26, 1991, damaging 80% of homes [00:01:22] Week-ah