Iowa farmers should prepare for unseasonably warm weather this Friday and Saturday, with high temperatures pushing into the upper 80s and near 90 degrees. The Iowa Environmental Mesonet reports that mid-September 90-degree days are uncommon in much of the state, occurring in fewer than half of years. In northeastern Iowa, temperatures this high this late in the season happen only once every five to ten years.
This warmer stretch could affect harvest work, making field conditions hotter and increasing heat stress for both workers and livestock. Farmers may need to adjust schedules and take precautions to stay safe in the fields. Forecasters say temperatures should cool next week, returning to more typical September conditions.
