Why is it so windy in Iowa so far in 2022? Here’s what the NWS says

Nationwide Climate Service Des Moines tweeted this week what we have all been considering: “It would not be so dangerous if it weren’t for the wind!”

Up to now this yr the Nationwide Climate Service has issued 39 wind advisories in Iowa — 39 notices of sustained winds of 31 to 39 mph anticipated to final at the least an hour and/or when wind gusts are anticipated to succeed in 46 to 57 mph. That is tied with 2012 for the second-most wind advisories via April 24 because the climate service began monitoring them in 2006, trailing solely 2014’s 41.

It ought to shock no person that Iowa is windy within the spring, since it’s “one of many windiest occasions of the yr,” NWS meteorologist Rod Donavon stated. 

However why, after we had 22 wind advisories at the moment final yr and usually have 20 to 25 via the primary 4 months, have we had so many extra this yr? 

This spring many storms have been out of the south, adopted by winds out of the northwest, stated NWS Meteorologist Roger Vachalek.

“We have had some pretty sturdy methods,” Vachalek stated. “We get winds mixing and that enhances the wind gusts.”

Extra:Why the ever-present wind (virtually) by no means stops blowing in Des Moines

It isn’t simply windier. It is colder in Des Moines, too

Within the case of this spring’s climate, a lot of the winds blew Canadian air from the northwest, which tends to be colder air, Donavon stated. 

Des Moines has a median excessive temperature of 62 levels in April. By April 24, the town had a median excessive of 56.6 levels. All through the spring, massive chilly fronts additionally dragged in bitter chilly air, Donavon stated. March had a median excessive of 48.8 levels, a few half-degree under common. 

“All this chilly air and the wind gathered to a uncooked and unseasonably cool March and April,” Donavon stated. 

Philip Joens covers breaking information for The Des Moines Register. He might be reached at 515-443-3347 at pjoens@registermedia.com or on Twitter @Philip_Joens.