In a state where the weather can make or break a growing season, it’s crucial to have someone keeping a close eye on the skies. That’s where Dr. Justin Glisan comes in. As the State Climatologist at the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS), Dr. Glisan plays a vital role in tracking and interpreting Iowa’s ever-changing weather patterns—and making that information accessible to the people who need it most.
Weather Intelligence You Can Use
Dr. Glisan’s primary responsibility is to compile and disseminate weekly and monthly weather and climate summaries. These include:
- Average highs and lows
- Precipitation totals
- Major weather events
All of this is broken down by Iowa’s nine climate divisions, giving farmers and landowners localized insight into trends that affect planting, harvesting, and conservation planning.
“The main thing that I do is weekly and monthly I put out summaries of major weather events, average highs and lows across the state and in the nine climate divisions,” says Dr. Glisan.
Connecting Data with the Dirt
But Dr. Glisan’s work goes beyond the numbers. One of his favorite parts of the job is direct communication with Iowa farmers and landowners.
“I get a call every Friday from a farmer in Kossuth County who tells me about his rain gauge measurements for the week,” he shares.
These grassroots reports help build a clearer, more accurate picture of Iowa’s microclimates, which feed into broader efforts like drought monitoring, flood forecasting, and long-term climate assessments—all critical for both policy development and day-to-day farm decisions.
Tools for Your Toolbox
The Climatology Bureau at IDALS provides a wealth of weather data and resources, including:
- Recent Climatology Maps
- The Weekly Growing Season Report
- Monthly Weather Reports
- The Iowa Annual Weather Summary
- Historic Weather Reports
These tools can help you plan everything from seeding and spraying to harvest timing and conservation projects.
📍 Explore these reports here: 👉 IDALS Climatology Bureau Reports
Why It Matters
Whether you’re planting cover crops, building terraces, or choosing the right time to harvest, Iowa’s climate data isn’t just background noise—it’s a decision-making tool. Thanks to Dr. Glisan’s work, you’ve got a reliable source of up-to-date, Iowa-specific climate information right at your fingertips.
Have weather observations to share or want to learn more? The Climatology Bureau wants to hear from you.
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