We’ve weathered another year

This is Iowa. The weather tends to make news, and in the past 12 months, we've had plenty to talk about. State Climatologist Harry Hillaker lists his top weather stories of the year.

Harry Hillaker's Top 10

1. Persistent deep snow cover: The near-record snowfall of December 2009 and persistent cold through March 7 allowed the statewide average snow cover to exceed 5 inches for an amazing 89 consecutive days.

2. Frigid start to 2010: The new year got off to the coldest start since 1979 with temperatures over the first 12 days averaging 16 degrees below normal.

3. A warm spring: Above normal temperatures were the rule. The year's first temps in the 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s all came in March. Overall the spring of 2010 was the warmest since 2000 and 15th warmest on record.

4. A record wet June: Persistent rainfall produced a new record-high statewide average for June of 10.34 inches - second only to July 1993 (10.50 inches) among all calendar months.

5. Sibley tornado: A strong EF-4 tornado touched down June 25 and was on the ground for about 14 miles. At least 10 people injured.

6. Maquoketa River deluge: Heavy rains fell over the Maquoketa River basin July 22 and 23. Oelwein reported 9.93 inches of rain on the first night of the storm and another 3.16 inches the next. The flood surge down the Maquoketa River washed out the Lake Delhi dam and caused millions of dollars in damage.

7. Central Iowa downpours: Heavy rain fell on the nights of Aug. 8 to 11 across central Iowa, with a total of 9.86 inches of rain at Ankeny. Major flooding resulted in Ames and points downstream.

8. A warm and muggy summer: Wet conditions prevented exceptionally high temperatures during the summer of 2010, but persistence made up for lack of extremes. The result was Iowa's warmest summer since 1988 and 19th warmest summer on record.

9. Perfect harvest weather: Unseasonably warm and dry weather from late September to mid-November made for one of the most rapid harvests on record in Iowa.

10. December blizzard: High winds and widespread snow Dec. 11 and 12 brought blizzard conditions statewide, particularly on the night of the 11th. The statewide average snowfall with this storm was 3.8 inches.

We're off to see the Wizard

A total of 33 tornadoes were reported in Iowa in 2010, according to the National Weather Service. That's less than the annual average of 48 tornadoes. Only two of them were rated EF-2 or stronger.

On the Net

We're all weather junkies. For more weather stats and 2010 trivia, access state records at www.iowaagriculture.gov

Source: State Climatologist's Office