118 Degrees to -47: The Most Extreme Temperatures in Iowa History

November is just about here.

While it's still fall for almost another two full months, Iowans are smart enough to know what the calendar says isn't always how Mother Nature feels.

I think this is a great time to look back at some weather records we've experienced here in Iowa.

Hopefully, we don't see these extremes again in the near future, but if we do, at least you'll know it's record-breaking!

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Iowa: A State Known for Crazy Weather

Iowa's weather has always kept residents on their toes, from scorching summers to bone-chilling winters and everything in between.

According to the National Weather Service, the state’s history includes some of the most dramatic temperature swings and precipitation totals in the Midwest.

Photo by Phil Müller on Unsplash

The hottest temperature ever recorded in Iowa hit 118 degrees Fahrenheit in Keokuk on July 20, 1934, during the height of the Dust Bowl era.

The relentless heat and drought conditions devastated crops and tested communities across the state.

Just How Cold Has It Gotten in Iowa

On the opposite end of the thermometer, Iowa’s coldest temperature plunged to 47 degrees below zero in Elkader on February 3, 1996.

The deep freeze was part of an Arctic outbreak that swept across the Midwest, freezing rivers, bursting pipes, and closing schools statewide.

Iowa Rain and Snow Records

Precipitation extremes have also left their mark.

The heaviest 24-hour rainfall in Iowa’s history came on June 14, 1998, when the town of Atlantic in Cass County was hit with 13.18 inches of rain in just one day.

Photo by MI PHAM on Unsplash

The deluge led to catastrophic flooding, destroying bridges, submerging roads, and cutting off nearly every route in and out of town.

For snow lovers, the record for the heaviest 24-hour snowfall goes back more than a century.

On April 20, 1918, the community of Lenox in Taylor County was buried under 24 inches of snow, a full two feet in a single day.

While these numbers may seem hard to believe, they’re a reminder of just how unpredictable and powerful Iowa’s weather can be.

Temperature Records Are Likely to Get Broken

From 118-degree scorchers to whiteout blizzards and flash floods, the Hawkeye State has earned its reputation for weather that can change dramatically in a matter of hours.

It's certainly likely our warm weather records will one day get broken. Last year, 2024, was the hottest year on record.

Let's take a closer look at some of Iowa's craziest weather records to date!