The warmer than normal fall temperature trend continued from September into October in Iowa. The statewide average temperature for September was 3.6 degrees above normal, while into about the first three and one-half weeks of October, average temperatures were running from 3 to 8 degrees above normal in most of the state.

This trend pushed summer crops to maturity ahead of widespread freezing temperatures in most of the state. The first freezing temperatures occurred in northwestern and parts of west-central Iowa during the second week of October with lows in the 25- to 30-degree range.  

Some readings in the lower 30s occurred further into October, but even into the latter...