THIRTEENTH ANNUAL YETAH BOOK— PART I 19 



While rain fell on an average of 6 days, most of the rain came between 

 the 9th and 11th, and was much heavier in the southern than in the 

 northern counties. A few flakes of snow, being the first of the season, 

 were observed at numerous stations in the southern half of the state on 

 the 30th or 31st. Considering the season of the year and the compara- 

 tively few rainy days there was more than the usual number of thunder- 

 storms. A very destructive electric storm occurred in the vicinity of 

 Dubuque on the afternoon of the 20th, during which considerable property 

 was destroyed by fire. 



The dry, clear weather was very favorable for drying out the corn 

 crop and harvesting potatoes. Corn was not quite dry enough at the end 

 of the month for cribbing, although considerable husking was done dur- 

 ing the last decade of the month. Fall plowing progressed rapidly and 

 winter grains and pastures are in fine condition. 



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

 by the records of 114 stations, was 52.2°, or 0.3° above the normal for 

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

 50.3°, or 0.2° above the normal; Central, 52.2°, or 0.4° above 

 the normal; Southern, 54.0°, or 0.2° above the normal. The highest 

 monthly mean was 56.6°, at Bloomfield, Davis County, and the lowest 

 monthly mean 46.4°, at Rock Rapids, Lyon County. The highest tempera- 

 ture reported was 92°, at Bonaparte, Van Buren County, on the 6th; the 

 lowest temperature reported was 16°, at Inwood, Lyon County, on the 

 30th. The average monthly maximum was 85°, and the average monthly 

 minimum was 24°. The greatest daily range was 52°, at Keosauqua, Van 

 Buren County. The average of the greatest daily ranges was 38°. 



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

 the records of 120 stations, was 2.97 inches, or 0.62 inch more than the 

 normal. By sections the averages were as follows: Northern, 1.88 inches, 

 or 0.39 inch less than the normal; Central, 3.33 inches, or 0.89 inch more 

 than the normal; Southern, 3.71 inches, or 1.36 inches more than the 

 normal. The greatest amount, 5.77 inches, occurred at Bloomfield, Davis 

 County, and the least, 1.03 inches, at Decorah, Winneshiek County. The 

 greatest amount in 24 consecutive hours was 2.60 inches on the 11th, at 

 Bloomfield, Davis County. Measurable precipitation occurred on an aver- 

 age of 6 days. 



Snow. — The first snowfall of the season occurred on the last day of 

 the month, being confined to the southern half of the state. Only two 

 stations reported more than a trace. 



Sunshine and Cloudiness. — The average number of clear days was 21; 

 partly cloudy, 3; cloudy, 7. The duration of sunshine was considerably 

 above the normal, the percentage of the possible amount being 72 at 

 Charles City; 74 at Davenport; 75 at Des Moines; 67 at Dubuque; 71 

 at Keokuk; and 75 at Sioux City. 



Wind. — South winds prevailed. The highest velocity reported was 48 

 miles an hour from the south, at Sioux City, Woodbury County, on the 

 28th. 



