The following content is summarized from the What in the Weather Podcast by Dan Fillius, Justin Glisan, and Madelynn Wuestenberg.
You can find more information about weather impacts on specialty crops and home horticulture on Dan Fillius' website and information from today's podcast on the latest newsletter.
7-day Weather Forecast - Dr. Justin Glisan
Temperature
Temperatures will generally stay in the 60s, with overnight lows for northern Iowa in the upper 50s and in the 60s for southern Iowa. Overnight lows are expected to stay warmer than normal for the end of September because of cloud cover.
Precipitation
Expect clouds and rain through Sunday morning, with a brief break on Monday, but storms returning once again on Tuesday afternoon and night. Statewide quantitative precipitation forecast totals for the next seven days are at least 1.5 inches if the forecast verifies. Greatest 7-day forecast totals are over western Iowa, with as much as 4-5 inches.
Trivia Question - Madelynn Wuestenberg
Which sector is most vulnerable to climate variability impacts in Iowa?
A. Agriculture
B. Technology
C. Tourism
D. Mining
Climate Outlook - Madelynn Wuestenberg
8-14 Day Outlook (October 1-7)
Temperature
Iowa sits in the center of a pocket of near normal conditions for the temperature outlook.
Precipitation
The Iowa outlook continues to learn above normal for precipitation, with a 33-40% chance of above normal precipitation. As we continue progressing into fall, and the climatological weekly precipitation totals decline, it takes less rain that during summer to rank above normal.
Past Week of Weather - Madelynn Wuestenberg
Flood and Furious: 2 wet 2 harvest
Temperature
Last week ended with high temperatures, but a cold front brought cooler temperatures into the state, keeping us cool and wet.
- Hottest Place: Clarinda, 97 degrees F on September 18.
- Coldest Place: Mason City Municipal Airport, 42 degrees F on September 23.
Precipitation
September 2026 currently sits as the top 5th wettest September on record for Iowa. Yesterday gave us a brief reprieve from the clouds and rain, allowing folks everywhere to mow their lawns!
- Wettest Place: North Liberty, 6.75 inches.
- Driest Place: Randolph, 0.15 inches.
Trivia Answer: Agriculture
Agriculture is the sector most vulnerable to climate variability in Iowa.
This day in Iowa Weather History - Dr. Justin Glisan
“Okay, going back to 1985, flakes of snow were observed mixed with light rain in Des Moines around 7 a.m., making it the earliest recorded snowfall in more than a century in Des Moines and one of the earliest observations of snow in Iowa history. Just one day earlier than the remarkable statewide snowfall of September 25, 1942.”
Links to this article are strongly encouraged, and this article may be republished without further permission if published as written and if credit is given to the author, Integrated Crop Management News, and Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. If this article is to be used in any other manner, permission from the author is required. This article was originally published on September 24, 2026. The information contained within may not be the most current and accurate depending on when it is accessed.
- Weather and Climate Extension Specialist