Why is it so windy in Iowa this spring?
National Weather Service Des Moines tweeted this week what we've all been thinking: "It wouldn't be so bad if it weren't for the wind!"
So far this year the National Weather Service has issued 39 wind advisories in Iowa — 39 notices of sustained winds of 31 to 39 mph expected to last at least an hour and/or when wind gusts are expected to reach 46 to 57 mph. That's tied with 2012 for the second-most wind advisories through April 24 since the weather service started tracking them in 2006, trailing only 2014's 41.
It should surprise nobody that Iowa is windy in the spring, since it is "one of the windiest times of the year," NWS meteorologist Rod Donavon said.
It wouldn't be so bad if it weren't for the wind! 🌬
This graph shows the total Wind Advisories issued in Iowa since January 1st each year . Currently, 2022 is tied for second (!!!) with 2012 and trails 2014 by just two!
Plot Credit: Iowa Environmental Mesonet @akrherz pic.twitter.com/b4Y409dysj— NWS Des Moines (@NWSDesMoines) April 24, 2022
But why, when we had 22 wind advisories at this time last year and normally have 20 to 25 through the first four months, have we had so many more this year?
This spring many storms have been out of the south, followed by winds out of the northwest, said NWS Meteorologist Roger Vachalek.
"We've had some fairly strong systems," Vachalek said. "We get winds mixing and that enhances the wind gusts."
More: Why the ever-present wind (almost) never stops blowing in Des Moines
It's not just windier. It's colder in Des Moines, too
In the case of this spring's weather, most of the winds blew Canadian air from the northwest, which tends to be colder air, Donavon said.
Des Moines has an average high temperature of 62 degrees in April. Through April 24, the city had an average high of 56.6 degrees. Throughout the spring, large cold fronts also dragged in bitter cold air, Donavon said. March had an average high of 48.8 degrees, about a half-degree below average.
"All this cold air and the wind accumulated to a raw and unseasonably cool March and April," Donavon said.
Philip Joens covers breaking news for The Des Moines Register. He can be reached at 515-443-3347 at pjoens@registermedia.com or on Twitter @Philip_Joens.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Why is it so windy in Iowa so far in 2022? Here's what the NWS says
