TWELFTH ANRUAL YEAR BOOK— PART I 



MONTHLY SUMMARIES 



JANUARY. 



As a whole January, 1911, was a very pleasant month. There were 

 comparatively few cold days and no severe storms and the average preci- 

 pitation was below the normal except over the northern counties where 

 there was a slight excess. 



With the exception of the 2d and 3d, the temperature was comparatively 

 moderate in the southern counties but temperatures below zero were re- 

 corded in the northern counties on the first six days; on the 9th, from the 

 11th to the 16th, and on the 21st and 22d. The 3d was the coldest day 

 when the minima ranged from — 8° in Louisa County, to — 35° in Lyon 

 and Cherokee Counties. The lOth, 29th and 31st were the warmest days 

 when the maximum temperatures w^ere generally above 50°, and at several 

 stations they were above 60°, the highest being 66°, at Thurman, on the 

 29th. 



Practically all of the precipitation was in the form of snow, except over 

 the southeastern counties where heavy rain fell on the 13th and 14th which 

 froze on trees, Avires and walks as it fell, covering them with a heavy coat 

 of ice, crippling all electric service and doing a vast amount of damage to 

 trees. The heaviest snowfall was on the 16th and 17th but as the wind 

 was light on those and following daj's it did not interfere with railroad 

 or street car traffic. The absence of snow during the larger part of the 

 month, especially in the southern counties, allowed stock to range on 

 pasture throughout the month. The highways were in fine condition. The 

 ground is still dry and the water supply continues to diminish over the 

 larger part of the state. A good supply of ice, ranging from 10 to 20 

 inches, was harvested and a large quantity was shipped from Keokuk to 

 St. Louis and other points. While the conditions were favorable for out- 

 door work and for transportation companies, the absence of snow was not 

 advantageous to fall sown grain. 



Temperature.— The monthly mean temperature for the State, as shown 

 by the records of 114 stations, was 20.2°, which is 0.9° above the normal for 

 Iowa. By sections the mean temperatures were as follows: Northern 

 section, 15.1°, which is 1.1° below the normal; Central section, 20.7°, which 

 is 1.5° above the normal; Southern section, 24.7°, which is 2.3° above the 

 normal. The highest monthly mean v.'as 29.6°, at Keokuk, Lee County, and 

 the lowest monthly mean, 11.4°, at Estherville, Emmet County. The high- 

 est temperature reported was 66°, at Thurman, Fremont County, on the 

 29th; the lowest temperature reported was — 35°, at Inwood, Lyon County 



