Experts Talk Winter Woes For Iowa

DES MOINES, Iowa -- Iowa has been battered by tornadoes, flooding and now the Farmer's Almanac predicts a tough winter is in store for the Hawkeye state.

The Almanac predicts a bone-chilling, colder-than-average winter with above-normal snowfall for the Midwest.

State Climatologist Harry Hillaker said he believes this winter will be colder than normal, but he's predicting a normal amount of snowfall.

Hillaker said that in a normal year, Iowa receives 32-33 inches.  Last year we received 45 inches.

Hillaker said there is no El Nino or La Nina in the Pacific this year so Iowa should be in a neutral weather pattern, even though it has been anything but normal this summer.

"In Des Moines, only five days above 90," said Hillaker.

Following a spring of tornadoes, floods and a cool summer, many are preparing for a rough winter.

Experts said a concern this fall would be when the first freeze hits.  A hard freeze would end the growing season for crops that got a late start due to the flooding, like soybeans.

The average date of Iowa's first freeze is Oct. 7.  Hillaker said an earlier-than-normal freeze is possible.