Released April 16, 2008
AMES, Iowa -- Warm week, cold week, wet week, dry week: That’s the story of Iowa’s weather, says Iowa State University Extension climatologist Elwynn Taylor. If it doesn’t dry out soon, planting will be delayed in some places in the Corn Belt, he said.
More rain is possible, particularly in southern or southeastern Iowa, he added.
“Don’t get too anxious about planting until after April 25. Then plant when the soil is right,” Taylor said. Soil temperature will be critical to planting times for corn and soybeans.
“There is not a greater danger of a late killing frost than usual, but we do expect to have cold outbreaks and warm times and cold times and warm times.” Taylor said. That’s the pattern.
For more information, listen to the interview with Elwynn Taylor. (Time 7:50) http://129.186.89.193/radio/audio/et.mp3
See the Soil Temperatures for Agriculture page, http://extension.agron.iastate.edu/NPKnowledge/, for a three-day history of four-inch soil temperatures and the six to 10-day weather forecast.
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http://www.extension.iastate.edu/news/2008/apr/121602.htm
Contacts: Elwynn Taylor, (515) 294-7839, setaylor@iastate.edu
Douglas Cooper, (515) 294-6275, levachek@iastate.edu
