STEVE'S "WILD" WORLD OF WEATHER...

When I'm wondering about weather folklore and historical events this is the man I go to. With more than 50 years of statistical and observational research, he's the dude! When it comes to lunar cycles, woolly bear caterpillars, insects, bugs, and animals, he tracks them, records them, and establishes ties to weather patterns. He's a knowledgeable and interesting man. His name is Steve Gottschalk by way of Lowden, Iowa. I'm grateful to him for lending his unique perspective to the site. Steve's "wild" world of weather can be found regularly right

here on TSwails.com. Take it away Steve!

TWO SNOWSTORMS AND ALL TIME RECORD COLD:

The first of 2 successive snowfalls to to affect most of the state came on October 24-25th, 1925. Some of the higher amounts from this storm were:

Marshalltown - 7.3"

New Hampton - 7.1"

Guthrie Center - 7.0"

A second storm swept through the state with the southern portions receiving the higher amounts:

Clarinda - 6.0"

Keokuk - 3.4"

Keosaqua - 2.0"

Bitterly cold temperatures would follow on the heels of this second storm which would set all time record lows for the state. Inwood would set the state's record with -15. Some other record lows on the 29th were: 

Decorah - -4

Iowa Falls - -1

Cedar Rapids - 0

WOOLLY BEAR UPDATE:

I have 7 woolly bear reports now and they are still showing normal to slightly below normal temperatures for the winter. I ran across a 1966 essay by the late naturalist, Hal Borland and he said that a narrow brown band meant a mild winter. This as exactly the opposite of what I was told.

OCTOBER SNOWFALLS AND A LA NINA WINTER:

I did a little research and found that of the 8 Octobers with snow since 1960, only 2 of them occurred during a La Nina. This year that closely matches this year was 2013 and we saw above normal snowfall that winter.

MODERATE LA NINA'S AND WINTER:

I looked back on all of the winters since 1960 which occurred during a moderate La Nina and found 9 of them. Of those 9 years, 7 of them had a colder winter. The snowfall tended to be a little above normal too.

We are suppose to have a moderate La Nina this winter.

THE LUNAR WEATHER CALENDAR:

NOVEMBER

3rd - cold, precip., wind

5th - cold, precip., wind

8th - variable temps., wind

12-14th - cold, precip., wind

15-16th - variable temps., wind

18th - variable temps., wind

21st - warmer and wind

25-26th - cold, precip., wind

30th - cold, precip., wind

DECEMBER

1-2nd - cold, rain/snow, wind

7th - warmer, precip., wind

9th - warmer, precip., wind

12th - cold, rain/snow, wind

14-15th - variable temps. rain/snow, wind

21-22nd - cold, snow?, wind

24th - variable temps, rain/snow, wind

28-30th - cold, rain/snow, wind

That's all for this edition. On the "wild" side of weather I'm Steve Gottschalk

Hi everybody, just wanted to ask a favor. I'm trying to get the word out about my book Derecho 911, Iowa's Inland Hurricane. I'm self publishing the book and it's not a cheap proposition. I'll be lucky to break even but to be a part of this historic weather story was very important to me as an Iowan, so I took a chance. Anyway, it would be great if you would spread the word to those around you who might find it appealing. Thanks so much for supporting and trusting TSwails.com. Here's a link where you can get your copy at a discounted price. It's a comprehensive book you will not be disappointed in.