October 24-31, 2008
Midwest Weekly Highlights - October 24-31, 2008
2008 Growing Season Comes to an End
The 2008 growing season for most of the Midwest came to an abrupt end during the last week of October when an arctic cold front swept below freezing temperatures across much of the nation (Figure 1). However, to the joy of trick-or-treaters across the region, the chill was not long lived as warmer air returned by the end of the month (Figure 2). For the period of October 24-31, the majority of the Midwest saw below average temperatures (Figure 3). The only states with above average values were Minnesota and Wisconsin and then temperatures were only one to two degrees above normal. In southeast Kentucky, temperatures were down to eight degrees below normal.
Precipitation during the watch period ranged from less than 50% of normal across much Minnesota, Iowa and Missouri to 100 - 200% of normal in the eastern part of the Midwest (Figure 4). Most of the rains occurred early in the period when a cold front associated with an upper level low moved across the region (Figure 5). In portions of central Indiana and western Kentucky, the rains exceeded two inches and helped to improve existing drought conditions (Figure 6). Following the passage of the upper level low, high pressure moved into the nation's midsection and drier air returned. These favorable field conditions allowed farmers to make great progress during the week in the corn and soybean harvest.
% Harvested |
Corn |
Soybeans |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2008 |
10/26 |
11/2 |
5-year average |
10/26 |
11/2 |
5-year average |
Illinois |
46 |
66 |
92 |
76 |
90 |
94 |
Indiana |
59 |
74 |
76 |
85 |
91 |
90 |
Iowa |
20 |
43 |
79 |
87 |
93 |
98 |
Kentucky |
93 |
96 |
96 |
65 |
79 |
71 |
Michigan |
35 |
52 |
57 |
88 |
94 |
83 |
Minnesota |
30 |
54 |
80 |
92 |
97 |
97 |
Missouri |
51 |
66 |
92 |
38 |
60 |
77 |
Ohio |
55 |
70 |
59 |
88 |
95 |
86 |
Wisconsin |
28 |
43 |
58 |
85 |
93 |
86 |
And Cold Winds Blow
On Sunday, October 26th, a strong cold front swept through the Midwest (Figure 7), triggering isolated thunderstorms and hail in areas of Michigan and bringing the first snows of the season to portions of Wisconsin and Minnesota. Behind the front, a tight pressure gradient brought strong winds to the region with sustained winds at 20 to 40 miles per hour and gusts in many areas exceeding 60 miles per hour. Power outages and minor damage were common across the Midwest. In Iowa, over 21,000 customers were without power. Later in the week, the persistent northwest flow and colder temperatures also produced lake effect snow in many of the Great Lakes states (Figure 8, Figure 9).
MCP