(Des Moines) Temperatures in the first half of February are the highest on record, according to State Climatologist Dr. Justin Glisan. He says temperatures across Iowa averaged 17 degrees above normal.
Glisan points to the strong El Nino weather pattern for the warmer temperatures and wetter than average precipitation.
For example, December was 9.7 degrees above average, and January, even with the cold snap in the middle of the month, still recorded average temperatures seven-tenths above average. Dr. Glisan says February has been very snowy over several years and has had a very active storm track. He says February is acting more like March, and January acted more like February.
Dr. Glisan says the warmer-than-normal temperature allowed the snowpack to infiltrate the soil profile with some much-needed moisture.
