TWELFTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK— PART 1 5 



between the 13th and 18th. The snow storm on the 5th was general and 

 over the larger part of the state was heavy. The snow turned to rain or 

 sleet in the late afternoon of the 5th which was attended in many localities 

 by thunder and lightning. From the 11th to the 18th excessive cloudiness 

 prevailed and between the 13th and 18th more rain fell than the normal 

 amount for the whole month of February. The high temperature after the 

 10th caused the snow that fell on the 5th to melt rapidly and as the ground 

 was frozen at that time, the water ran off quickly. This, together with 

 the heavy rains between the 13th and 18th, caused an unprecedented high 

 stage of all rivers and creeks for so early in the season. The snow was 

 practically gone, and there was very little or no frost in the ground at 

 the close of the month. On account of the warm, wet weather the country 

 roads were in very bad condition. 



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

 by the records of 115 stations, was 27.3°, which is 8.1° above the normal for 

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

 tion 24.1°, which is 7.9° above the normal; Central section, 27.4°, which 

 is 7.8° above the normal; Southern section, 30.4°, which is 8.6° above the 

 normal. The highest monthly mean was 34.6°, at Keokuk, Lee County, 

 and the lowest monthly mean, 20.4°, at Sibley, Osceola County. The high- 

 est temperature reported was 71°, at Keokuk, Lee County, on the 1st; 

 the lowest temperature reported was — 13°, at Fayette, Fayette County, 

 and at Washta, Cherokee County, on the 10th. The average monthly maxi- 

 mum was 54°, and the average monthly minimum was — 2°. The greatest 

 daily range was 51°, at Iowa Falls, Hardin County. The average of the 

 greatest daily ranges was 38°. 



Precipitatiox. — The average precipitation for the state, as shown by the 

 records of 124 stations, was 2.76 inches, which is 1.70 inches above the 

 normal. By sections the averages were as follows: Northern section, 1.55 

 inches, which is 0.61 inch above the normal; Central section, 2.80 inches, 

 which is 1.72 inches above the noreal; Southern section, 3.94 inches, which 

 is 2.79 inches above the normal. The greatest amount, 5.46 inches, oc- 

 curred at Lacona, Warren County, and the least, 0.50 inches, at Rock Rap- 

 ids, Lyon County. The greatest amount in twenty-four hours, 2.50 inches, 

 occurred at Ottumwa, Wapello County, on the 16th. Measurable precipita- 

 tion occurred on an average of 6 days. 



Snow. — The average depth of unmelted snowfall was 7.0' inches; by 

 sections the averages were as follows: Northern section, 6.6 inches; Cen- 

 tral section, 8.2 inches; Southern section, 6.3 inches. The greatest depth 

 was at Sioux City, Woodbury County, 13.2 inches; and the least depth was 

 at Rock Rapids, Lyon County, 1.0 inch. 



Sunshine and Cloudiness. — The average number of clear days was 12; 

 partly cloudy, 6; cloudy, 10. The duration of sunshine was below the 

 normal, the percentage of the possible amount being 54 at Charles City; 



50 at Davenport; 48 at Des Moines; 48 at Dubuque; 47 at Keokuk; and 56 

 at Sioux City. 



Wind. — Noi-thwest winds prevailed. The highest velocity reported was 



51 miles per hour from the northwest, at Sioux City, Woodbury County, on 

 the 1st. 



