TWELFTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK— PART I 7 



While the temperature was considerably above the normal, the month 

 was cold enough, especially during the latter half to retard the growth of 

 vegetation and the development of fruit buds, and as a result the prospects 

 are at present very promising for a fruit crop. Farmers were in the field 

 early in the month, and much of the small grain was sown and consider- 

 able ground plowed preparatory to corn planting. Fall grains and grasses 

 came through the winter in good condition notwithstanding the fact that 

 much of the time there was no snow on the ground. 



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

 by the records of 114 stations, was 39.4°, which is 5.4° aljove the normal 

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

 section, 37.8°, which is 6.6° above the normal; Central section, 39.5°, which 

 is 5.3° above the normal; Southern section, 41.0°, which is 4.3° above the 

 normal. The highest monthly mean was 43.2°, at Keokuk, Lee County, and 

 the lowest temperature reported was 2°„ at Forest City, Winnebago County, 

 highest temperature reported was 83°, at Ames, Story County, on the 21st; 

 the lowest temperature reported was 2°, at Forest City, Winnebago County, 

 on the 16th. The average monthly maximum was 75°, and the average 

 monthly minimum was 10°. The greatest daily range was 53° at Little 

 Sioux, Harrison County, Audubon, Audubon County, and at Woodburn, 

 Clarke County. The average of the greatest daily ranges was 42°. 



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

 records of 122 stations, was 0.93 inch, which is 0.99 inch below the normal. 

 By sections the averages were as follows: Northern section, 0.53 inch 

 which is 1.20 inches below the normal; Central section, 0.81 inch, which 

 is 1.17 inches below the normal; Southern section, 1.45 inches, which is 

 0.60 inch below the normal. The greatest amount, 4.84 inches, occurred 

 at Fort Madison, Lee County, and the least, a trace, at Alton, Sioux County, 

 and at Estherville, Emmet county. The greatest amount in twenty-four 

 hours, 2.00 inches, occurred at Fort Madison, Lee County, on the 26th. 

 Measurable precipitation occurred on an average of 4 days. 



Snow. — The average depth of unmelted snow was 1.9 inches; by sections 

 the averages were as follows: Northern section, 2.2 inches; Central sec- 

 tion 1.3 inches; Southern section, 2.1 inches. The greatest depth was 8.0 

 inches at Rockwell City, Calhoun County; and the least, a trace at 17 

 scattered stations. 



Sunshine and Cloudiness. — The average number of clear days was 16; 

 partly cloudy, 9; cloudy, 6. The duration of sunshine was considerably 

 above the normal, the percentage of the possible amount being 67 at Charles 

 City; 71 at Davenport; 73 at Des Moines; 66 at Dubuque; 76 at Keokuk; 

 and 66 at Sioux City. 



Wind. — Northwest winds prevailed. The highest velocity reported was 

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

 the 29th. 



Thunderstorms. — In the northern section 5 stations reported thunder- 

 storms on the 21st; 7, on the 26th; 3, on the 27th; and 1 on the 28th. In 

 the Central section 5 stations reported thunderstorms on the 26th; 1, on 

 the 27th. In the southern section 2 stations reported thunderstorms on 

 the 6th; 5, on the 7th; 2, on the 11th; 6, on the 12th; and 1 on the 22d. 



