Degree Day Information for Iowa
May goes out with a bang
May 1998 is the warmest May (in terms of crop growing degree days) since 1988. The warm temperatures last week, coupled with moist air and a stationary front, produced a series of localized, severe thunderstorms. Patches of hail damage were reported from many counties, especially in the areas from central Iowa both south and west. Corn stand evaluation for replant decisions is now increasingly difficult. For more information on stand evaluation, see the June 1 ICM newsletter article, Making corn replant decisions, pages 91-92.Left: Degree day accumulations 50° F May 1, 1998 through May 31, 1998 (departure from average).