***Official 2024 Weather Thread***

[cycloneG]

Maybe they're using the climatological average, where they average a 30-year span and update that every decade? I think we just moved into a new 30-year window recently.

This is correct. The current window is 1991-2020. The next window will be 2001-2030.

 

[Cyhig]

I know, but these ponds aren’t running anywhere.

Also checked and USGS had groundwater at 19 inches from ground surface. That would be pretty close to completely full in my book.

Yep. The top layer is too saturated so water runs off into collection areas. Hence why rivers, ponds, and lakes are filling up

There still is a slight drought for Story County, but it has improved quite a bit this year. But even with all the rain, the rain is falling too hard and fast for it to seep down deep enough to fully end the drought as of right now. If the same volume of precipitation fell over a longer period of time, the drought likely would be officially over by now

 

[Al_4_State]

Tornado warning near Charles City right now.

 

[NWICY]

So we get tons of rain, but if we still say we’re in a “drought”, does that keep the government checks rolling in for farmers relief, or what? Half joking.

If it gets to mid June with no planting window there could be the opportunity for prevent plant payments.

 

[Letterkenny]

So we get tons of rain, but if we still say we’re in a “drought”, does that keep the government checks rolling in for farmers relief, or what? Half joking.

 

[cydnote]

View attachment 128944

If my memory serves me correctly, 1993 was predicted to be a drought year and ended up as one of the wettest in my farming days. Seems as if there were only two "good"days to plant: Mother's Day and Memorial Day. (I know this is a weather thread and not a planting progress report thread )

 

[Gunnerclone]

 

[exCYtable]

So why wouldn't this warrant a tornado watch?

 

[ClonerJams]

So why wouldn't this warrant a tornado watch?

I think these are just kind of tiny tornadoes. The kind girls point and laugh at.

 

[exCYtable]

I think these are just kind of tiny tornadoes. The kind girls point and laugh at.

Just seems weird that if conditions are favorable for a tornado and they tell you to seek shelter that watch wouldn't be issued

 

[Gunnerclone]

Just seems weird that if conditions are favorable for a tornado and they tell you to seek shelter that watch wouldn't be issued

Not sure about that. It happens every so often though. Kind of like a “funnel cloud” watch. If that one documented up in Northern IA hadn’t of gotten close to the ground or touched down I bet they wouldn’t have included the take shelter language.

 

[Turn2]

Keep in mind that if the rain falls too fast over a short period of time, the water will run off into lakes. rivers. creeks. That doesn't help much with improving drought conditions. The best rains to improve drought conditions are the light to moderate, all day rain events. Those rains will soak into the ground much better than downpours

Somewhat dependent on terrain and county, among other things, but often the ponding is really pointing out who isn’t into conservation.

 

[charlie_B]

For the people in northern Iowa and states along the Canada border, Aurora borealis may be able to be seen Saturday night:

Aurora Viewline for Tonight and Tomorrow Night (Experimental) | NOAA / NWS Space Weather Prediction Center

www.swpc.noaa.gov

 

[ClonerJams]

For the people in northern Iowa and states along the Canada border, Aurora borealis may be able to be seen Saturday night:

Aurora Viewline for Tonight and Tomorrow Night (Experimental) | NOAA / NWS Space Weather Prediction Center

www.swpc.noaa.gov

 

[CySki]

For the people in northern Iowa and states along the Canada border, Aurora borealis may be able to be seen Saturday night:

Aurora Viewline for Tonight and Tomorrow Night (Experimental) | NOAA / NWS Space Weather Prediction Center

www.swpc.noaa.gov

Crescent moon as well.

 

[SaraV]

 

[Gunnerclone]

My gawd imagine skiing that in the Aurora. I would die happy no matter what else happened in my life.

 

[BoxsterCy]

And so it begins, again. Driving home tonight and saw the Mpls skyline was obscured by smoke from wildfires.

Checked the interweb and, yup, air quality alert.

 

[AlaCyclone]

 

[chuckd4735]

2 inches of rain in Indianola since 4PM