6 Critical Weather Facts Every Iowa Farmer Should Know for 2025

What’s up with the Weather in Iowa?

For Iowa farmers, seeing a deep green cornfield waving in the summer breeze is the ultimate sign of a successful growing season. But to get there, crops have to overcome many weather challenges, some expected, some less so.

At a recent Iowa State University conference, Dennis Today, director of the USDA Midwest Climate Hub in Ames, laid out six key weather realities that Iowa farmers should keep in mind as they plan for 2025.

1. Why Drought Is Inevitable in Iowa and How to Prepare

Drought is a constant companion in the Corn Belt. “There’s not a year that goes by without some kind of drought somewhere in the region,” Todey says.

The good news? Late May and early June rains have helped ease concerns in many parts of Iowa this year. But looking ahead, it’s still too soon to say exactly where and how drought will impact the state through the rest of the season.

And remember, drought isn’t just a simple yes-or-no. It has different levels of severity, happens in different places, and comes at different times, making it tricky to predict and manage.

2. Early Dry Spells Don’t Doom Yields

If you were worried that the dry stretch earlier this spring might hurt your crop yields, recent rainfall should give you some relief.

Research shows there’s little link between early-season drought and final yields. What matters is the moisture during the heart of the growing season. For corn, July is the make-or-break month. For soybeans, August is the critical period when water counts.

3.  Is Hail Increasing in Iowa? What the Data Really Shows

Many farmers swear hailstorms have become more frequent or severe, but the data doesn’t back that up, says Todey.

The National Weather Service tracks hail only when it’s one inch or bigger, but smaller hailstones can still shred crops, especially when they come with strong winds. Unfortunately, these smaller events aren’t recorded consistently.

Plus, compared with rain or temperature, hail is harder to monitor over time, so it’s tough to say if we’re seeing more of it or just noticing it more.

4. It Feels Windier, But the Numbers Are Mixed

Wind can make or break your day on the farm, especially during spraying. But defining “windier” isn’t straightforward.

“Part of our issue right now is we’re seeing some stronger wind events that make us think it’s getting windier,” he says.

Some strong wind events this spring, like in mid-May, have led farmers to feel like the winds are picking up. Yet, looking at the bigger picture, average wind speeds before those events were actually below normal.

“Certainly, we are having more wind in some cases, but we have to parse the data and figure out some of the details,” Todey says.

5. Iowa Is Slowly Becoming Drier

Iowa has been experiencing a trend toward drier conditions over the past five years. Today notes that precipitation totals across much of the state have fallen below normal by 20 inches or more during this period.

Precipitation patterns are shifting as well. For example, a 30-year analysis of rainfall in the Le Mars area of northwestern Iowa reveals peak rainfall in June, followed by a decline in July, then a recovery in August.

Unfortunately, July is a vital month for corn pollination and water demand. Reduced rainfall during this key period could pose risks to crop yields.

6. Summers Are Warmer: Impact of Rising Overnight Temperatures on Iowa Farming

You might expect that rising summer temperatures come from hotter days, but it’s actually the nights that are warming up.

“Our summers are warmer because overnight lows are getting higher,” Todey explains.

This increase in nighttime temperatures can affect crop development, water needs, and pest dynamics, and it’s an important factor for farmers to consider.

What Iowa Farmers Can Do to Manage 2025 Weather Challenges

The 2025 growing season will bring familiar challenges, but also some subtle changes. While the early-season drought worries have eased thanks to recent rains, the long-term dry trend highlights the importance of managing soil moisture carefully.

Farmers should prepare for potential drought stress during the critical July and August periods. Keeping a close eye on local weather forecasts, soil moisture levels, and irrigation options will be key.

Although perceptions suggest more hail and wind, data shows these aren’t increasing significantly, but localized events can still impact crops. Farmers should continue to use best practices to protect their fields from weather damage.