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Days over 100 degrees
Posted On: 2005-07-21 12:06 PM
Author: Daryl Herzmann
Views: 21311
Link: http://mesonet.agron.iastate.edu/climate/
I have gotten a number of requests for statistics regarding the
decade mark in temperature. Reaching 100 degrees has been somewhat
an anomaly since the drought of 1988. The speculated reason for this
is the intensive cropping (more plants per acre, better genetics) that
increases transpiration and thus moisture in the lower atmosphere.
This makes it difficult for the air to heat up rapidly due to the
sun's energy going into heating extra water vapor.
Anyway, here is a listing of the number of days per year that the high
temperature was 100 degrees or higher. You can see how 1988 stands
out and relative lack of 100+ temperatures in the 90s
Year # Year # Year # Year # Year # Year #
1950 0 1960 0 1970 0 1980 27 1990 8 2000 8
1951 0 1961 3 1971 5 1981 4 1991 3 2001 6
1952 8 1962 0 1972 1 1982 2 1992 0 2002 6
1953 15 1963 7 1973 2 1983 31 1993 0 2003 13
1954 22 1964 9 1974 19 1984 7 1994 0 2004 0
1955 30 1965 5 1975 10 1985 4 1995 5
1956 17 1966 8 1976 14 1986 1 1996 0
1957 13 1967 5 1977 18 1987 13 1997 3
1958 0 1968 2 1978 1 1988 34 1998 1
1959 3 1969 1 1979 2 1989 8 1999 9
Total by decade
50s 108 60s 40 70s 72 80s 131 90s 29 00s 33
I don't have a total for 2005 using official data, but it would appear
that the total to date (20 Jul) is 0.
Note: These numbers are for any location in Iowa hitting 100+