Iowa is in the middle of its typical severe weather season, and yet there hasn’t been much severe weather to speak of. State Climatologist Harry Hillaker says the current average temperatures aren’t deviating a whole lot from historical averages, but the lack of severe weather has been out of line with what we’re used to. He says the weather has been very conducive to a good growing season for farmers, particularly in April when they had dry weather for easy planting.

Hillaker said there’s always a chance of severe weather during May and June, and we likely haven’t seen the last of it. There’s the possibility of the ingredients being right and we get a huge outbreak in one afternoon, getting the entire expected severe weather for the season in one day. However, he said at the moment there doesn’t appear to be anything like that on the horizon.

Looking forward to the later summer months, there is a good chance it will be dry thanks to the La Nina event expected in the Pacific Ocean. However, he believes because of the timing, it won’t adversely effect farmers in the Midwest.