Topics Covered:

• 00:00:29 - Iowa Weather History (January 27-28, 1977): The devastating 1977 blizzard that struck northern and eastern Iowa with winds up to 55 mph, 6-foot snow drifts, and wind chills dropping to negative 60 to negative 90

• 00:01:32 - Weekly Weather Forecast: Warming trend ahead with temperatures climbing from teens/20s to the 30s by Monday/Tuesday; quiet storm track with most action on southern and eastern coasts of the country

• 00:02:32 - Extended Climate Outlook (6-14 Days & Beyond): February 2-10 looking warm and dry for upper Midwest; discussion of Arctic Oscillation Index and its role in predicting cold air outbreaks 2-3 weeks in advance

• 00:06:35 - February Weather Predictions: Analysis of weak La Niña patterns, snowpack comparisons (Siberia vs. Europe), and potential for more cold outbreaks and snowfall in second-half of February due to meridional flow

• 00:09:02 - December 2025 & Year in Review: December was 65th coldest on record; November-December was 6th snowiest combined period in 130 years; 2025 was 25th warmest year on record with 2020s being warmest decade for Iowa

• 00:12:24 - Climate Change & Polar Vortex Connection: How warming Arctic (3x faster than mid-latitudes) leads to more extreme cold air outbreaks; Des Moines is 5 degrees warmer in winter than 30 years ago; explanation of jet stream meanders and persistent weather patterns

• 00:15:30 - Arctic Sea Ice & Feedback Loops: Discussion of albedo/reflectivity, salinity changes in Arctic Ocean, and how melting sea ice creates positive feedback warming cycle

• 00:16:54 - Future Temperature Projections (2050-2071): Models show 20-30 days of 95°+ temperatures in summer with heat indices reaching 125-140°F; cold outbreaks will be less frequent but more extreme

• 00:19:45 - Specialty Crop Impacts:

• 00:20:43 - Research Spotlight - Sumisansui Irrigation: Ben Phillips' (Michigan State) study on Japanese micro-perforation irrigation hoses; effectiveness for germination and cooling; limitations with wind susceptibility and vegetation blocking

• 00:24:07 - Broccoli Production Master Class: Thomas Bjorkman's comprehensive presentation covering hollow stem issues, variety selection, spacing strategies, and the unique challenge of cooling meristematic tissue that generates heat even after harvest

• 00:27:40 - Organic Veg Production Conference: Highlights from online conference including Flint Wiswall's (Cate Farm) innovative bench-moving systems for transplant production

• 00:29:21 - Looking Ahead: Preview of next episode - the annual "best and worst" superlatives show recording from Iowa Specialty Producers Conference in late February

Episode summary generated using claude.ai

Weather History & Current Conditions (December 18, 2025)

• Historic perspective: December 18, 1976 saw unseasonably warm temps reaching 64°F in Des Moines
• Recent pattern shift from active Alberta Clippers bringing light, fluffy snow to warmer, drier conditions
• Flash freeze warning for today as cold front passes through with potential snow squalls

White Christmas Outlook

• Historical probabilities: Rock Rapids (70%), Des Moines (39%), Fort Madison (30%)
• 2025 forecast: Unlikely for white Christmas anywhere in Iowa due to warming trend and dry forecast through month's end
• Reflects broader trend of warming winters and transition from snow to rain/mixed precipitation

Climate Forecast

• Next 7 days: Unseasonably warm (40s) and dry as polar vortex retreats north
• 6-14 day outlook: Strong signal for above-normal temps and dry conditions across western Iowa
• January-March: Equal chances on temperature, lean wet for eastern Iowa quarter
• Spring outlook: Potential transition to ENSO neutral conditions (70% probability), similar to pleasant spring 2025?

December Snow Recap

• Fourth snowiest November on record for some stations
• Keokuk Lock and Dam (records since 1894) and Toledo (records since 1884) saw snowiest November-December period
• Multiple Alberta Clippers dropped 2-3 inches each, totaling 5-7 inches statewide
• December 14th storm caused I-80 closures and treacherous driving conditions

Specialty Crop Updates

• Melcast System: Fungicide timing tool for melon growers will be available for Iowa locations (web-based platform from Indiana)
• Caterpillar Tunnels: Rolling Acres Produce Supply in Drakesville now manufacturing local tunnel kits with prefab end walls with doors
• Great Lakes Expo Recap: Major Midwest fruit/vegetable conference in Grand Rapids
• Annual Strawberry Production: New technique shared—rooting bare-root plants in plug trays for 6 weeks before July 15th planting optimizes yield and reduces runner management

Upcoming

• Last episode of 2025
• Live recording at Iowa Specialty Producers Conference, February 24th in Ankeny
• January episode will come, but unknown date right now.

Podcast summary generated using claude.ai

Weather Forecast & Outlook:

• Alberta Clipper brings nose dive in temperatures with wind chills in negative teens to negative 20s
• Quiet storm track ahead with possible flurries Saturday night
• December outlook: below normal temperatures for entire state, slightly below normal precipitation for southern/western Iowa

Recent Weather Highlights:

• Recent snowstorm (8.5" statewide average) makes November rank as 5th snowiest on record
• Fort Dodge recorded up to 16.5 inches of snow
• November and fall 2025 both ran about 3-4°F above average
• 7th warmest fall in 153 years of record

Specialty Crop Impacts:

• Managing overwintered greens in high tunnels during frigid temperatures - use supplemental heat, and internal covers
  • When growing greens for overwintering in warm fall weather, aggressively vent tunnel warmth to slow crop growth.
• Strawberry mulching timing and techniques - wait for dormancy (several nights around 20°F) before applying straw or row cover

This Day in Weather History:

• December 2-3, 1990: Major snowstorm dropped 6-15" across Iowa with blizzard conditions
• Winds gusted to 69 mph at Cresco
• University of Iowa bubble dome collapsed under heavy snow, causing $2 million in damage

Other Topics:

• Iowa corn and soybean yields hit record highs (215 bu/acre corn, 65 bu/acre soybeans)
• Discussion of July cloudiness and potential impacts on melon yields in southeast Iowa