4 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



Although it was the coldest month ever recorded in the state there was 

 an entire absence of severe winter storms. Nearly all of the precipitation 

 was in the form of snow; the only rainfall was a light mist over the 

 southern half of the state on the 25th and 28th, and as the temperature 

 was below freezing, the rain froze as it fell, covering everything with a 

 coat of ice. Snow flurries were frequent between the 7th and 18th, but the 

 daily amounts were generally small. 



The amount of snowfall was considerably below the normal, and the wind 

 movement was comparatively light. There was, however, so little thawing 

 weather the snow remained dry, and even though the wind movement was 

 light, the snow drifted badly and this, together with the severe cold 

 weather during the first and second decades greatly interfered with rail- 

 road traffic. Passenger trains were delayed and freight service was com- 

 pletely demoralized. In the cities and towns numerous water pipes, and 

 in some instances, water mains w^ere frozen, causing much loss and great 

 inconvenience. Sleighing was excellent throughout the month, except in 

 the southern tier of counties, where the snow was nearly gone at the close 

 of the month. The ground being covered with a heavy mantle of snow, 

 fall sown grains were thought to be in good condition, but peach trees 

 are reported to be seriously damaged by the severe cold. All live stock 

 is in good condition, and, fortunately, most farmers secured sufficient 

 corn fodder last fall to feed the stock during the winter, but in some 

 localities the supply of feed is getting short and hay is very high price. 

 The ice harvest is nearly completed and the quality is unusually fine. 

 At the close of the month at Davenport the ice was 14.5 inches thick; 

 at Des Moines, 21.0 inches; at Dubuque and Sioux City, 20 inches; and 

 at Keokuk, 12 inches. Except for the extremely low^ temperature, the 

 month was unusually pleasant for a winter month. 



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

 by the records of 114 stations, was 4.2°, wiiich is 15.1° below the normal 

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

 section, 0.1°, which is 16.1° below the normal; Central section, 4.3°, which 

 is 14.9° below the normal; Southern section, 8.3°, which is 14.1° below^ 

 the normal. The highest monthly mean was 11.8, at Keokuk, Lee County, 

 and the lowest monthly mean, — 3.0, at Elma, Howard County. The 

 highest temperature reported was 49°, at Denisou, Crawford County, on 

 the 22d; the lowest temperature reported was — 47°, at Washta, Cherokee 

 County, on the 12th. The average montWy maximum was 39°, and the 

 average monthly minimum was — 33°. The greatest daily range was 52°, 

 at Chariton, Lucas County. The average of the greatest daily ranges w^as 

 38*. 



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

 the records of 120 stations, was 0.53 inch, which is 0.52 inch below the 

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

 0.69 inch, which is 0.13 inch below the normal; Central section, 0.66 inch, 

 which is 0.44 inch below the normal; Southern section, 0.25 inch, which 

 is 0.99 inch below the normal. The greatest amount, 1.90 inches, occurred 

 at Rockwell City, Calhoun County, and the least, a trace at Elliott, Mont- 

 gomery County. The greatest amount in any twenty-four hours, 0.80 inch. 



