Iowans were able to enjoy a warmer than average February.
The temperatures the state has seen this month are typically normal near the end of March through mid-April, says Alan Curtis, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service. He told Raccoon Valley Radio that while they don't know exactly how this warm weather affected the rest of the year, they can see what groundwork has been laid for future weather.
“In terms of how we set things up, it's clear that if we stay warm and on the dry side, we're going to be in the midst of a multi-year drought. Many parts of Iowa, especially eastern Iowa, are still experiencing things like extreme drought. And again, that leads to Unfortunately, drought conditions will worsen if this continues through the spring and summer. Not to get too deep into the nitty-gritty, but if people are aware of it, we are expected to move from El Niño to La Niña. And when we move to the neutral phases, in the middle, It gets really uncertain as to whether we're going to continue the trend, stay warm, stay hydrated, things like that.
This makes the real long-term forecast for this year's weather a case of “wait and see,” Curtis says. He adds that while the warmer weather may have been pleasant for many, it would not have made conditions conducive to farming in the coming months.
