We have been stuck in a very cold rut for some time now - 2 months to be exact. The culprit is a persistent western ridge that has been surrounding the driest states with above normal temps all winter. This ridge teams up with an eastern trof of cold low pressure and a ginormous teeter-totter gets tipped -dumping cold air on Iowa!
It's certainly not impossible that we could see snow into mid April, but it doesn't seem likely to happen. The western ridge will be on the move, bringing warmer temps to the region this week. Once the ground thaws, our strong spring sunshine will make it harder to freeze over. We will also lose the snow pack which has been a white welcome mat for our cold surges of air. Snow free ground will temper winter's chill and we will be launched into spring.
It is truly amazing what a difference a year makes. Last year at this time, soil temps were in the 50s and I was on the hunt for Morel mushrooms! Spring was in full bloom and by the time first season rolled around, the turkeys were most of the way through their breeding season. This year may be the complete opposite as soil temps are near freezing. Vegetation will likely be sparse and turkey hunting could be fantastic -especially on the days we get sunshine.
But we are still in an active weather pattern so sunshine may be hard to buy. The spring outlook even features a moderate risk of flooding in some parts of the state. I think it's likely that we could settle into a cool and wet early spring pattern in April and transition to a warm and wet spring pattern in May.
Hopefully that doesn't mean you'll be stuck in the cold showers hunting turkey this season, but if we do get slammed with cool April showers, I'll be in the neighbors field getting soaked right beside ya!
T - 19 days...
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