2024 marks the hottest year in Iowa’s recorded history

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – If you stepped outside right now, you probably wouldn’t consider this warm weather.

But despite the snow on your windshield or ice on your driveway, this weather is much warmer than where it should be.

And State Climatologist Justin Glisan says this could have bigger effects than which jacket we wear.

“You put this year and last year together; the warmest two years on record for Iowa.” he said.

In 2024, Iowa’s temperature averaged just over 2 degrees warmer than normal, marking it the hottest year in Iowa’s records, which date back to 1872.

And while two degrees may not sound like a massive change, Glisan says it’s these small changes that can end up creating extreme weather.

“It’s kind of counterintuitive to say this, but with a warming winter, we do see more cold extremes, we do see more polar vortex outbreaks… Also on the flip side, more flash flooding, as I mentioned, more rainfall in the winter time.” he said.

And with these higher temps and increased risks for extreme weather, winter-based businesses, like Sundown Mountain Resort in Dubuque, have felt the burden.

“Last year was tough. If you’re in the ski industry, enduring the warmest winter ever record was tough… it was a fight to keep enough snow on the slopes to let our customers come out.” said Mark Gordon, General Manager of Sundown Mountain.

But Glisan says not all hope is lost.

While significant change will likely take collaboration between the public and private sector, he says simple steps like fixing a leaky faucet or investing in renewable energy can keep these numbers from climbing past the point of no return.

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