Growing Beef Newsletter
March 2025, Volume 15, Issue 9
Weak global teleconnections create uncertainty in spring conditions
Madelynn Wuestenberg, ISU agricultural climatology extension specialist
Temperatures in the 50s across Iowa were a welcomed change after humans and animals alike endured extremely cold temperatures and wind chill temperatures. Wind chills as cold as -42 F were recorded at the Hampton and Webster City airports. From February 20th to 23rd, much of the western Midwest experienced a significant change in air temperature. In central Iowa, temperatures changed as much as 70 degrees between the three days. Areas of Nebraska and South Dakota experienced a greater than 80-degree temperature swing in three days. Extreme changes in temperatures between a few days could be hard on livestock, so be sure to check on them frequently.
IEM :: 2025-02-25 Feature - Thursday to Sunday
Climate outlook
Current forecasts for the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) show our present and relatively weak La Niña is expected to be short-lived, and we could transition to ENSO neutral sometime during April, May, or June. La Niña exists when sea surface temperatures (SSTs) are cooler than normal along the equator in the Pacific Ocean. ENSO neutral is when SSTs are near normal. As we transition to spring, forecast skill is historically lowest. This creates less confidence in mid-range forecasts. The Climate Prediction Center (CPC) outlooks for March are still influenced by current La Niña conditions. For the month of March, the CPC temperature outlook does not have a strong signal for above, below, or near normal temperatures. This results in an “equal chances” outlook. The CPC precipitation outlook shows slightly increased chances for precipitation in eastern Iowa in March. This does not mean only eastern Iowa will get rain during March, but rather, there is a general pattern in the models with active weather happening over the Ohio valley as opposed to the high plains. Things could change depending on how high-pressure systems may set up to the east or west.
Be sure to check in often with the National Weather Service for information on weather watches, warnings, and short-term forecasts. Meteorological winter ends on March 1st, but winter-like conditions may not be over yet.
This monthly newsletter is free and provides timely information on topics that matter most to Iowa beef producers. You’re welcome to use information and articles from the newsletter - simply credit Iowa Beef Center.
