20 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



normal, the percentage of the possible amo-unt being 41 at Charles City; 

 46 at Davenoprt; 34 at Des Moines; 45 at Dubuque; 43 at Keokuk, and 47 

 at Sioux City. 



Wind. — South winds prevailed. The highest velocity reported was 46 

 miles per hour from the South, at Sioux City, Woodbury county, on the 

 10th. 



DECEMBER. 



December, 1909, will be noted for its low average temperature, exces- 

 sive cloudiness and the frequency of snow storms. It was the coldest 

 December since state-wide observations began in 1890, and probably the 

 coldest since 1876. The average temperature was 12.1° lower than the 

 average for December, 1908, and 2.9° lower than any other December 

 since 1890. The monthly minimum temperatures were not, however, as 

 low as in 1892, 1901 and 1903, but the weather was continuously cold from 

 the 5th to the 30th inclusive. The first four days were moderate, with 

 maximum temperatures above 40° and ranged from 45° to 60° on the 2d. 

 A cold wave passed over the state on the 5th, and from that date to the 

 30th the maximum temperatures were below the freezing point, except on 

 one or two days, and the minimum temperatures were near or below 

 zero. At many stations, the minimum temperature was below zero on a 

 greater number of days than was ever before recorded during the month 

 of December. The lowest temperature was recorded on the 29th, except 

 in the extreme southeastern counties where the minimum occurred on 

 the 30th. 



The average precipitation was .99 inch above the normal and has been 

 exceeded in December only twice during the past 20 years. In 1891 the 

 average precipitation was .26 inch greater, and in 1902 it was .05 Inch 

 greater than the average for the past month. Rains were general from 

 the 1st to the 3d, changing to snow in the northern district on the latter 

 date, to sleet over the southern and eastern districts on the 4th and to 

 enow over the larger part of the state on the 5th. After the 5th, snow 

 fell at frequent intervals, but the daily amounts were generally light ex- 

 cept on the 24th and 25th, when the amounts ranged from 2 to 12 inches 

 of dry snow; the larger amounts being reported from the central and east 

 central districts. At least a trace of precipitation fell at some station in 

 the state on every day of the month, except the 31st, and the number of 

 days with .01 inch or more of precipitation exceeded all former records 

 for December at several stations. The average total snowfall for the 

 state was 13.7 inches, and the ground was covered with snow from the 3d 

 in the northern and from the 5th in the southern and eastern districts 

 until the close of the month, and there has been more good sleighing than 

 for many years so early in the winter. The snow has afforded good pro- 

 tection to winter grains, meadows, and alfalfa, and they are reported to 

 be in excellent condition. The deep snow and severe cold weather have, 

 however, put a stop to all drainage work and prevented the completion of 

 corn husking. Fully 25 to 30 per cent of the corn is still in the fields, 

 and much of it is covered with snow. The heavy snowfall on the 24th and 

 25th delayed all freight and the Christmas passenger traffic, but as there 

 was but little wind no trains were stalled. 



