IOWA WEATHER AND CROP REPORT 579 



MAY 



May, 1922, was characterized by remarkably uniform temperatures, the 

 range between the northern and southern divisions amounting to only 

 2.4° and the range for the State was the least ever recorded since State 

 wide records began in 1890. For the second time in 33 years the mini- 

 mum temperature did not reach the freezing point, the lowest tempera- 

 ture recorded being 34°, which is the highest May minimum of record, 

 and only a few light frosts occurred on the 13th which did no damage. 

 The mean temperature averaged nearly three degrees above the normal 

 and most of the excess occurred during the first twelve days. During the 

 rest of the month the temperature was near normal though mostly slightly 

 below normal and the last two days rather cool. 



The precipitation averaged more than an inch below normal and was 

 very unevenly distributed. The greatest deficiency occurred in the north- 

 ern division. The central and southern division averaged near normal 

 due to decided excess over the central and south-central sections. Over 

 much of the western and north-central portions of the State, a drouth set 

 in during April that was not relieved during the entire month of May and 

 at the end of the month the drouth was serious over a large area. Up 

 until the 23d only light showers occurred at frequent intervals, but on the 

 23d a general shower period set in that continued for five days over a large 

 portion of the State and excessive amounts were recorded at many points 

 in the central, south-central and southeastern portions of the State. Over 

 th*s area farm work was temporarily stopped or greatly retarded and 

 many corn fields became weedy and large patches were covered with 

 water. At most stations reporting reavy amounts the rate of fall was 

 moderate and most of the water was absorbed by the soil without causing 

 serious flood damage, but at FAirlington the rain fell at a remarkably 

 rrpid rate on the afternoon of the 26th, and a serious flood occurred. 

 Rain began falling at 2:30 p. m. and increased rapidly and at 3:15 p. m. 

 the total fall for 45 minutes' from the time of beginning was 2.35 inches, 

 which is one of the heaviest falls ever experienced in the State. The 

 sewers were not adequate to carry the water from the streets and at points 

 in the city the water was over four feet deep. Great damage was done 

 to all kinds of property but power plants, railroads and business houses 

 with goods stored in basements were the heaviest losers. The damage 

 to property and goods in Burlington was estimated at $200,000, and the 

 loss to crops, and buildings and railroads in the vicinity was probably as 

 great. 



Hail storms were frequent and covered much of the State and in local- 

 ities were severe. On the evening of the 6th a storm occurred at Boone 

 and vicinity that did considerable damage to greenhouses and crops and 

 on the late afternoon a severe storm occurred in the vicinity of Iowa City 

 that damaged fruit greatly, broke many window glasses and killed 

 chickens. This storm assumed tornadic characteristics particularly near 

 Tiffin, Johnson County, and did considerable damage to fru't trees and 

 small farm buildings. On the afternoon of the 11th a tornado occurred 

 about one mile southeast of Plainfield, Bremer County, which caused 

 damage to a number of homes and destroyed a large number of farm 



