16 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



AUGUST. 



The temperature was generally below the normal during the first 15 

 days, but was above the average during the latter half of the month. 

 The average rainfall was but slightly below the normal, the deficiency 

 being only 0.21 inch. All of the precipitation came in the form of local 

 showers and practically all of them were accompanied by thunder and 

 lightning, and in a few instances by wind squalls. The showers were 

 fairly well distributed throughout the month, and with the exception of 

 an abnormally heavy downpour over Dubuque, and nearby counties on the 

 night of the 18th and 19th, and heavy showers in the west central coun- 

 ties during the third week, and a deficiency of moisture over the south- 

 eastern counties, the rainfall was well distributed geographically. The 

 frequent showers interfered with threshing and stacking small grain, and 

 damaged some of it in shocks, but they were of material benefit to late 

 corn, potatoes and pastures. Under the effects of a plentiful supply of 

 moisture and the high temperatures that prevailed during the latter half 

 of the month, and especially the last week, corn made very rapid progress 

 toward maturity; but owing to the large amount of replanting done, the 

 crop as a whole is 10 days or two weeks later than usual, and will require 

 most favorable conditions to fully mature before the 10th of October. 



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

 by the records of 111 stations, was 71.0°, or 0.8° less than the normal. By 

 sections the mean temperatures were as follows: Northern, 68.9°, or 

 1.4° less than the normal; Central, 71.2°, or 0.7° less than the normal; 

 Southern, 72.8°, or 0.5° less than the normal. The highest monthly mean 

 was 75.0°, at Northboro, Page County, and at Ottumwa, Wapello County. 

 The lowest monthly mean was 65.8°, at Grand Meadow, Clayton County. 

 The highest temperature reported was 101°, this occurring at 8 stations, 

 and with one exception, on the 25th, the lowest temperature reported 

 was 40°, at 4 stations, on the 3d, 4th or 14th. The average monthly 

 maximum was 95°, and the average monthly minimum was 47. The 

 greatest daily range was 46°, at Little Sioux, Logan and Spencer. The 

 average of the greatest daily ranges was 34°. 



Precipitation, — The average precipitation for the State, as shown by 

 the records of 120 stations, was 3.78 inches, or 0.21 inch less than the 

 normal. By sections the averages were as follows: Northern, 4.60 inches, 

 or 1.08 inches more than the normal; Central, 3.81 inches, or 0.24 inch 

 less than the normal; Southern, 3.01 inches, or 1.39 inches less than the 

 normal. The greatest amount, 7.90 inches, occurred at Fayette, Fayette 

 County, and the least, 0.89 inch, at Washington, Washington County. 

 The greatest amount in twenty-four consecutive hours, 5.50 inches, oc- 

 curred at Olin, Jones County, on the 19th. Measurable precipitation oc- 

 curred on an average of 10 days. 



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

 15; partly cloudy, 10; cloudy, 6. The duration of sunshine was less than 

 the normal, the percentage of the possible amount being 65 at Charles 

 City; 69 at Davenport; 64 at Des Moines; 64 at Dubuque; 61 at Keokuk; 

 and 73 at Sioux City. 



