Iowa topsoil moisture low; mildest heating season in 10 years

Iowa's milder-than-normal winter has contributed to low topsoil moisture levels, particularly in the northwestern part of the state, according to a report issued Monday by the USDA National Agricultural Statistical Service.

Snow cover is minimal across the state with an average of an inch. Northwest Iowa reports the most snow cover with an average of 2 inches and south central and southeast Iowa reported no snow cover.

Topsoil moisture levels statewide are 19 percent very short, 34 percent short, 46 percent adequate, and 1 percent surplus. The driest area of Iowa continues to be the northwest with 86 percent short to very short.

Last year at this time, statewide topsoil moisture levels were zero percent very short, 1 percent short, 80 percent adequate, and 19 percent surplus.

State Climatologist Harry Hillaker said February temperatures averaged 28.9 degrees or 4.9 degrees above normal. Hillaker said precipitation totaled 1.74 inches or 0.69 inch above normal.

"This ranks as the 23rd warmest and 17th wettest February among 140 years of records," Hillaker said. "As has been the case all winter, above normal temperatures were the rule for most of February."

Looking back over December, January and February, Hillaker said home heating requirements -- as estimated by heating degree day totals -- averaged 13 percent less than last February and 9 percent less than normal. Degree day totals so far this heating season (since July 1) are running 15 percent less than a year ago and 13 percent less than normal.

"This has been the mildest heating season-to-date in 10 years," Hillaker said. "The last warmer winter came in 2001-2002.

"This winter has been a huge contrast to recent ones in Iowa as it was preceded by five consecutive snowier-than-normal winters and four consecutive colder than usual ones."

A series of five storm systems brought most of February's precipitation.

The first event on Feb. 3 and Feb. 4 affected only the southern half of Iowa with rain changing to snow. Greatest snowfall amounts were recorded in west central and southwest Iowa where five to nine inches fell.

The other storms were all focused more on northern Iowa and brought welcome relief from severe drought conditions in the northwest. The storm of the Feb. 13 and Feb. 14 brought snow statewide with greatest amounts over the northwest where 3-to 5-inch totals were common.

The next event on Feb. 20 and Feb. 21  brought mostly rain with amounts to nearly an inch at a few northwest Iowa locations. Another storm system on Feb. 23 and 24 began as rain but turned to snow statewide with a few northwest and northeast locations seeing more than six inches of snow.

Finally, the largest event of February came on Feb. 28 and Feb. 29  with rain falling statewide. Some freezing rain accumulated over the north on the Feb. 28 with an inch or two of wind blown snow over the far north on the 29th.

The USDA report shows hay and roughage supplies are 20 percent short, 72 percent adequate and 8 percent surplus with 12 percent of the supply in poor condition. Hog and pig losses in February were reported at 40 percent light, 59 percent average and 1 percent heavy.

Cattle and calf losses were similar with 43 percent light, 54 percent average and 3 percent heavy. Muddy conditions have made it difficult for some to feed cattle and may have an effect on the calf crop, which is reported underway for a few producers.