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Built 2026-10-15 (15 October 2026)

Ames 5 SE Weather Records (USC00130203)

Record envelope, standing records and threshold days for Ames 5 SE (USC00130203), Iowa, United States, with 49 years of record.

Key Facts for Ames 5 SE

  • Ames 5 SE (USC00130203) is a weather station in Iowa, United States at 41.95 latitude and -93.57 longitude, 265 m (870 ft) above sea level.
  • The station reports from 1978 to 2026, 49 years of record.
  • 1,464 records set at Ames 5 SE still stand.
  • Records are tracked for tmax, tmin, prcp, snow, snwd: an element needs 30 years of data to be eligible.
  • Ames 5 SE set a daily record high maximum temperature of 30.6 C (87.1 F) on 11 October 2026 (provisional).

Provisional Records

Records set in the last 60 days are provisional until they clear the revision window.

About the Station

  • Location: Iowa, United States, 41.95 latitude, -93.57 longitude.
  • Elevation: 265 m (870 ft).
  • Period of record: 1978 to 2026, 49 years.
  • Eligible elements: tmax, tmin, prcp, snow, snwd.

Daily Record Envelope and 2026

27 days at or beyond a record
Daily record high and record low at Ames 5 SE, with 2026 drawn through them The band shows the record high and record low for each calendar day at Ames 5 SE. The lines show the 2026 daily maximum and minimum. 27 days in 2026 matched or passed a record. Temperatures are in degrees Celsius. -40-2002040 JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
The band shows the record high and record low for each calendar day at Ames 5 SE. The lines show the 2026 daily maximum and minimum. 27 days in 2026 matched or passed a record. Temperatures are in degrees Celsius.
Daily record high and record low at Ames 5 SE, with 2026 drawn through them
MonthHighest record highLowest record low2026 highest maximum2026 lowest minimum
Jan19.4 C (66.9 F)-36.1 C (-33.0 F)15.6 C (60.1 F)-25.0 C (-13.0 F)
Feb24.4 C (75.9 F)-33.3 C (-27.9 F)20.6 C (69.1 F)-17.2 C (1.0 F)
Mar33.3 C (91.9 F)-25.6 C (-14.1 F)33.3 C (91.9 F)-13.3 C (8.1 F)
Apr31.7 C (89.1 F)-11.1 C (12.0 F)30.6 C (87.1 F)0.0 C (32.0 F)
May36.1 C (97.0 F)-3.9 C (25.0 F)34.4 C (93.9 F)2.2 C (36.0 F)
Jun37.8 C (100.0 F)5.6 C (42.1 F)34.4 C (93.9 F)11.7 C (53.1 F)
Jul38.9 C (102.0 F)8.3 C (46.9 F)36.1 C (97.0 F)13.9 C (57.0 F)
Aug37.8 C (100.0 F)6.7 C (44.1 F)33.9 C (93.0 F)11.7 C (53.1 F)
Sep37.2 C (99.0 F)-1.7 C (28.9 F)35.0 C (95.0 F)8.9 C (48.0 F)
Oct35.0 C (95.0 F)-9.4 C (15.1 F)30.6 C (87.1 F)6.7 C (44.1 F)
Nov27.2 C (81.0 F)-20.6 C (-5.1 F)n/an/a
Dec22.8 C (73.0 F)-28.3 C (-18.9 F)n/an/a

Which Years Hold Standing Records

1,464 standing records
Standing records at Ames 5 SE by the year they were set 1,464 records at Ames 5 SE still stand. 2012 holds the most, with 66. 0204060801978: 41980: 11981: 31995: 61996: 471997: 481998: 651999: 542000: 562001: 482002: 442003: 522004: 612005: 502006: 472007: 412008: 362009: 562010: 202011: 382012: 662013: 462014: 612015: 382016: 332017: 442018: 482019: 422020: 392021: 532022: 432023: 392024: 422025: 552026: 38197819962000200420082012201620202024
1,464 records at Ames 5 SE still stand. 2012 holds the most, with 66.
Standing records at Ames 5 SE by the year they were set
Year setStanding records
19784
19801
19813
19956
199647
199748
199865
199954
200056
200148
200244
200352
200461
200550
200647
200741
200836
200956
201020
201138
201266
201346
201461
201538
201633
201744
201848
201942
202039
202153
202243
202339
202442
202555
202638

Wettest Day of Each Month

May: 168.7 mm (6.6 in)
Record daily precipitation for each month at Ames 5 SE The wettest day on record for each calendar month at Ames 5 SE. The most was 168.7 mm (6.6 in) on 23 May 2004. 050100150200 Jan: 28.2 mm (1.1 in), 9 January 2026 Jan Feb: 43.2 mm (1.7 in), 25 February 2007 Feb Mar: 58.4 mm (2.3 in), 8 March 1990 Mar Apr: 75.2 mm (3.0 in), 27 April 2009 Apr May: 168.7 mm (6.6 in), 23 May 2004 May Jun: 141.2 mm (5.6 in), 13 June 1984 Jun Jul: 124.7 mm (4.9 in), 9 July 1993 Jul Aug: 127.8 mm (5.0 in), 9 August 2010 Aug Sep: 115.3 mm (4.5 in), 23 September 2016 Sep Oct: 70.9 mm (2.8 in), 15 October 2007 Oct Nov: 87.1 mm (3.4 in), 4 November 2003 Nov Dec: 71.9 mm (2.8 in), 14 December 2015 Dec
The wettest day on record for each calendar month at Ames 5 SE. The most was 168.7 mm (6.6 in) on 23 May 2004.
Record daily precipitation for each month at Ames 5 SE
MonthRecord daily precipitation (mm)Date
Jan28.2 mm (1.1 in)9 January 2026
Feb43.2 mm (1.7 in)25 February 2007
Mar58.4 mm (2.3 in)8 March 1990
Apr75.2 mm (3.0 in)27 April 2009
May168.7 mm (6.6 in)23 May 2004
Jun141.2 mm (5.6 in)13 June 1984
Jul124.7 mm (4.9 in)9 July 1993
Aug127.8 mm (5.0 in)9 August 2010
Sep115.3 mm (4.5 in)23 September 2016
Oct70.9 mm (2.8 in)15 October 2007
Nov87.1 mm (3.4 in)4 November 2003
Dec71.9 mm (2.8 in)14 December 2015

Period of Record Coverage

1978 to 2026
Days with data per year at Ames 5 SE 35 years of record at Ames 5 SE, 1978 to 2026. 7 years have data for under 90 percent of days and are left out of rankings: 1978, 1980, 1981, 1995, 1996, 2025, 2026. 1978: 31 of 365 days1980: 30 of 366 days1981: 62 of 365 days1995: 83 of 365 days1996: 328 of 366 days1997: 349 of 365 days1998: 365 of 365 days1999: 365 of 365 days2000: 361 of 366 days2001: 362 of 365 days2002: 364 of 365 days2003: 363 of 365 days2004: 364 of 366 days2005: 365 of 365 days2006: 364 of 365 days2007: 357 of 365 days2008: 366 of 366 days2009: 365 of 365 days2010: 365 of 365 days2011: 364 of 365 days2012: 360 of 366 days2013: 365 of 365 days2014: 365 of 365 days2015: 365 of 365 days2016: 350 of 366 days2017: 365 of 365 days2018: 365 of 365 days2019: 365 of 365 days2020: 366 of 366 days2021: 365 of 365 days2022: 365 of 365 days2023: 364 of 365 days2024: 365 of 366 days2025: 321 of 365 days2026: 273 of 365 days19801995200020052010201520202025
35 years of record at Ames 5 SE, 1978 to 2026. 7 years have data for under 90 percent of days and are left out of rankings: 1978, 1980, 1981, 1995, 1996, 2025, 2026.
Days with data per year at Ames 5 SE
YearDays with dataShare of yearComplete
1978318%No
1980308%No
19816217%No
19958323%No
199632890%No
199734996%Yes
1998365100%Yes
1999365100%Yes
200036199%Yes
200136299%Yes
2002364100%Yes
200336399%Yes
200436499%Yes
2005365100%Yes
2006364100%Yes
200735798%Yes
2008366100%Yes
2009365100%Yes
2010365100%Yes
2011364100%Yes
201236098%Yes
2013365100%Yes
2014365100%Yes
2015365100%Yes
201635096%Yes
2017365100%Yes
2018365100%Yes
2019365100%Yes
2020366100%Yes
2021365100%Yes
2022365100%Yes
2023364100%Yes
2024365100%Yes
202532188%No
202627375%No

Latest Records

20
Latest records at Ames 5 SE
DateStationRecordValueBeat old record byOld record stoodSignificance
11 October 2026Ames 5 SE, USdaily high max (Provisional)30.6 C (87.1 F)1.7 C (3.1 F)31 years15 of 100 (Routine)
11 October 2026Ames 5 SE, USdaily high min (Tie, Provisional)14.4 C (57.9 F)tie23 years2 of 100 (Routine)
10 October 2026Ames 5 SE, USdaily high min (Provisional)15.6 C (60.1 F)0.6 C (1.1 F)4 years6 of 100 (Routine)
9 October 2026Ames 5 SE, USdaily rain (Provisional)24.9 mm (1.0 in)4.6 mm (0.18 in)32 years17 of 100 (Routine)
1 October 2026Ames 5 SE, USdaily rain (Provisional)32.3 mm (1.3 in)7.2 mm (0.28 in)4 years12 of 100 (Routine)
23 September 2026Ames 5 SE, USdaily low max (Provisional)15.0 C (59.0 F)0.6 C (1.1 F)13 years9 of 100 (Routine)
15 September 2026Ames 5 SE, USdaily rain (Provisional)32.8 mm (1.3 in)16.8 mm (0.7 in)33 years25 of 100 (Routine)
9 September 2026Ames 5 SE, USdaily rain (Provisional)38.9 mm (1.5 in)9.9 mm (0.39 in)36 years21 of 100 (Routine)
6 September 2026Ames 5 SE, USdaily high min (Tie, Provisional)21.1 C (70.0 F)tie11 years1 of 100 (Routine)
5 September 2026Ames 5 SE, USdaily high min (Provisional)21.7 C (71.1 F)1.7 C (3.1 F)11 years10 of 100 (Routine)
4 September 2026Ames 5 SE, USdaily high min (Provisional)21.1 C (70.0 F)1.1 C (2.0 F)11 years9 of 100 (Routine)
2 September 2026Ames 5 SE, USdaily high max (Tie, Provisional)35.0 C (95.0 F)tie15 years2 of 100 (Routine)
2 September 2026Ames 5 SE, USdaily high min (Tie, Provisional)21.1 C (70.0 F)tie15 years2 of 100 (Routine)
1 September 2026Ames 5 SE, USdaily high min (Tie, Provisional)20.0 C (68.0 F)tie25 years2 of 100 (Routine)
31 August 2026Ames 5 SE, USdaily high min (Tie, Provisional)20.6 C (69.1 F)tie44 years4 of 100 (Routine)
16 August 2026Ames 5 SE, USdaily high min (Tie, Provisional)21.1 C (70.0 F)tie19 years2 of 100 (Routine)
11 August 2026Ames 5 SE, USdaily high max32.8 C (91.0 F)0.6 C (1.1 F)4 years6 of 100 (Routine)
6 August 2026Ames 5 SE, USdaily low max20.6 C (69.1 F)2.2 C (4.0 F)23 years16 of 100 (Routine)
5 August 2026Ames 5 SE, USdaily low max23.9 C (75.0 F)0.5 C (0.9 F)21 years11 of 100 (Routine)
28 July 2026Ames 5 SE, USdaily high max36.1 C (97.0 F)3.3 C (5.9 F)24 years20 of 100 (Routine)

Climate Trend

28 complete years, 1996 to 2024
Annual mean temperature at Ames 5 SE as warming stripes, 1996 to 2024 One stripe for each of 28 complete years at Ames 5 SE, 1996 to 2024. Blue stripes are years cooler than the station's own mean of 9.0 C (48.2 F); red stripes are warmer. The coolest year was 2014, at 7.2 C (45.0 F), and the warmest was 2012, at 10.7 C (51.2 F). The strongest colour marks a difference of 1.9 C (3.4 F). 1996: 7.5 C, -1.5 C from the station mean1997: 8.3 C, -0.7 C from the station mean1998: 10.5 C, +1.5 C from the station mean1999: 9.6 C, +0.6 C from the station mean2000: 9.2 C, +0.2 C from the station mean2001: 9.6 C, +0.6 C from the station mean2002: 9.5 C, +0.5 C from the station mean2003: 8.8 C, -0.3 C from the station mean2004: 8.9 C, -0.1 C from the station mean2005: 9.6 C, +0.6 C from the station mean2006: 10.3 C, +1.2 C from the station mean2007: 9.3 C, +0.3 C from the station mean2008: 7.7 C, -1.3 C from the station mean2009: 7.8 C, -1.2 C from the station mean2010: 8.6 C, -0.4 C from the station mean2011: 8.8 C, -0.2 C from the station mean2012: 10.7 C, +1.7 C from the station mean2013: 7.9 C, -1.2 C from the station mean2014: 7.2 C, -1.8 C from the station mean2015: 9.2 C, +0.2 C from the station mean2017: 9.7 C, +0.7 C from the station mean2018: 8.3 C, -0.7 C from the station mean2019: 7.9 C, -1.1 C from the station mean2020: 9.3 C, +0.2 C from the station mean2021: 9.7 C, +0.7 C from the station mean2022: 8.1 C, -0.9 C from the station mean2023: 9.9 C, +0.9 C from the station mean2024: 10.5 C, +1.5 C from the station mean199620002005201020152020
One stripe for each of 28 complete years at Ames 5 SE, 1996 to 2024. Blue stripes are years cooler than the station's own mean of 9.0 C (48.2 F); red stripes are warmer. The coolest year was 2014, at 7.2 C (45.0 F), and the warmest was 2012, at 10.7 C (51.2 F). The strongest colour marks a difference of 1.9 C (3.4 F).
Annual mean temperature at Ames 5 SE as warming stripes, 1996 to 2024
YearAnnual mean temperatureDifference from the station mean
19967.5 C-1.47 C
19978.3 C-0.67 C
199810.5 C+1.48 C
19999.6 C+0.63 C
20009.2 C+0.19 C
20019.6 C+0.56 C
20029.5 C+0.46 C
20038.8 C-0.25 C
20048.9 C-0.10 C
20059.6 C+0.59 C
200610.3 C+1.24 C
20079.3 C+0.28 C
20087.7 C-1.28 C
20097.8 C-1.19 C
20108.6 C-0.42 C
20118.8 C-0.23 C
201210.7 C+1.67 C
20137.9 C-1.15 C
20147.2 C-1.81 C
20159.2 C+0.22 C
20179.7 C+0.71 C
20188.3 C-0.70 C
20197.9 C-1.14 C
20209.3 C+0.25 C
20219.7 C+0.68 C
20228.1 C-0.91 C
20239.9 C+0.93 C
202410.5 C+1.50 C

This station does not have enough complete years (30 are needed) to fit a temperature trend.

A year is complete when all 12 months have at least 20 days of both daily maximum and daily minimum readings. The annual mean is the mean of the monthly means. The trend describes this one station over this period; it does not say what caused the change.

Extremes by Year

1978 to 2026
Yearly extremes at Ames 5 SE: the record and the median year
MeasureRecordYear of the recordMedian yearYears with a value
Hottest day (TXx)38.9 C (102.0 F)201235.6 C (96.1 F)35
Coldest night (TNn)-36.1 C (-33.0 F)2009-25.6 C (-14.1 F)35
Wettest day (Rx1day)168.7 mm (6.6 in)200468.1 mm (2.7 in)49
Wettest five days (Rx5day)262.5 mm (10.3 in)2010105.1 mm (4.1 in)49
Longest dry spell (CDD)64 days200224 days49

Hottest day (TXx)

Hottest day (TXx) at Ames 5 SE by year The hottest day of the year at Ames 5 SE, 1978 to 2026. The record is 38.9 C (102.0 F) in 2012, marked on the chart; the median year is 35.6 C (96.1 F). 2530354019801990200020102020Record: 38.9 C (102.0 F) in 2012
The hottest day of the year at Ames 5 SE, 1978 to 2026. The record is 38.9 C (102.0 F) in 2012, marked on the chart; the median year is 35.6 C (96.1 F).
Hottest day (TXx) at Ames 5 SE by year
YearHottest day (TXx)
197832.2 C (90.0 F)
1979n/a
198025.0 C (77.0 F)
198131.7 C (89.1 F)
1982n/a
1983n/a
1984n/a
1985n/a
1986n/a
1987n/a
1988n/a
1989n/a
1990n/a
1991n/a
1992n/a
1993n/a
1994n/a
199529.4 C (84.9 F)
199634.4 C (93.9 F)
199735.6 C (96.1 F)
199835.6 C (96.1 F)
199936.1 C (97.0 F)
200037.2 C (99.0 F)
200136.1 C (97.0 F)
200235.6 C (96.1 F)
200337.2 C (99.0 F)
200432.2 C (90.0 F)
200535.6 C (96.1 F)
200636.1 C (97.0 F)
200735.6 C (96.1 F)
200835.0 C (95.0 F)
200933.9 C (93.0 F)
201034.4 C (93.9 F)
201135.6 C (96.1 F)
201238.9 C (102.0 F)
201337.8 C (100.0 F)
201432.8 C (91.0 F)
201533.3 C (91.9 F)
201637.2 C (99.0 F)
201735.0 C (95.0 F)
201836.1 C (97.0 F)
201933.9 C (93.0 F)
202035.6 C (96.1 F)
202137.8 C (100.0 F)
202235.6 C (96.1 F)
202336.1 C (97.0 F)
202436.1 C (97.0 F)
202536.7 C (98.1 F)
202636.1 C (97.0 F)

Coldest night (TNn)

Coldest night (TNn) at Ames 5 SE by year The coldest night of the year at Ames 5 SE, 1978 to 2026. The record is -36.1 C (-33.0 F) in 2009, marked on the chart; the median year is -25.6 C (-14.1 F). -40-30-20-1001019801990200020102020Record: -36.1 C (-33.0 F) in 2009
The coldest night of the year at Ames 5 SE, 1978 to 2026. The record is -36.1 C (-33.0 F) in 2009, marked on the chart; the median year is -25.6 C (-14.1 F).
Coldest night (TNn) at Ames 5 SE by year
YearColdest night (TNn)
19780.6 C (33.1 F)
1979n/a
1980-12.2 C (10.0 F)
1981-22.2 C (-8.0 F)
1982n/a
1983n/a
1984n/a
1985n/a
1986n/a
1987n/a
1988n/a
1989n/a
1990n/a
1991n/a
1992n/a
1993n/a
1994n/a
1995-22.2 C (-8.0 F)
1996-33.3 C (-27.9 F)
1997-25.6 C (-14.1 F)
1998-25.0 C (-13.0 F)
1999-31.7 C (-25.1 F)
2000-27.8 C (-18.0 F)
2001-22.8 C (-9.0 F)
2002-21.7 C (-7.1 F)
2003-22.8 C (-9.0 F)
2004-25.0 C (-13.0 F)
2005-26.1 C (-15.0 F)
2006-25.6 C (-14.1 F)
2007-24.4 C (-11.9 F)
2008-30.6 C (-23.1 F)
2009-36.1 C (-33.0 F)
2010-29.4 C (-20.9 F)
2011-23.3 C (-9.9 F)
2012-20.0 C (-4.0 F)
2013-28.3 C (-18.9 F)
2014-28.9 C (-20.0 F)
2015-26.7 C (-16.1 F)
2016-27.2 C (-17.0 F)
2017-25.0 C (-13.0 F)
2018-32.2 C (-26.0 F)
2019-32.8 C (-27.0 F)
2020-24.4 C (-11.9 F)
2021-29.4 C (-20.9 F)
2022-28.9 C (-20.0 F)
2023-22.8 C (-9.0 F)
2024-28.3 C (-18.9 F)
2025-26.1 C (-15.0 F)
2026-25.0 C (-13.0 F)

Wettest day (Rx1day)

Wettest day (Rx1day) at Ames 5 SE by year The wettest day of the year at Ames 5 SE, 1978 to 2026. The record is 168.7 mm (6.6 in) in 2004, marked on the chart; the median year is 68.1 mm (2.7 in). 05010015020019801990200020102020Record: 168.7 mm (6.6 in) in 2004
The wettest day of the year at Ames 5 SE, 1978 to 2026. The record is 168.7 mm (6.6 in) in 2004, marked on the chart; the median year is 68.1 mm (2.7 in).
Wettest day (Rx1day) at Ames 5 SE by year
YearWettest day (Rx1day)
197863.5 mm (2.5 in)
197998.8 mm (3.9 in)
198033.5 mm (1.3 in)
198159.9 mm (2.4 in)
198268.1 mm (2.7 in)
198349.5 mm (1.9 in)
1984141.2 mm (5.6 in)
198580.8 mm (3.2 in)
198691.4 mm (3.6 in)
198787.4 mm (3.4 in)
198867.1 mm (2.6 in)
198961.2 mm (2.4 in)
199064.5 mm (2.5 in)
199174.7 mm (2.9 in)
199287.9 mm (3.5 in)
1993124.7 mm (4.9 in)
199446.5 mm (1.8 in)
199534.5 mm (1.4 in)
199650.0 mm (2.0 in)
199754.1 mm (2.1 in)
199852.8 mm (2.1 in)
199960.7 mm (2.4 in)
200045.5 mm (1.8 in)
200197.5 mm (3.8 in)
200264.8 mm (2.6 in)
200387.1 mm (3.4 in)
2004168.7 mm (6.6 in)
200592.7 mm (3.6 in)
200682.6 mm (3.3 in)
200770.9 mm (2.8 in)
200882.3 mm (3.2 in)
2009124.2 mm (4.9 in)
2010127.8 mm (5.0 in)
201161.0 mm (2.4 in)
201248.8 mm (1.9 in)
201368.6 mm (2.7 in)
201465.5 mm (2.6 in)
201571.9 mm (2.8 in)
2016115.3 mm (4.5 in)
201739.6 mm (1.6 in)
2018113.3 mm (4.5 in)
201962.2 mm (2.4 in)
202064.0 mm (2.5 in)
202176.7 mm (3.0 in)
202259.7 mm (2.4 in)
202365.0 mm (2.6 in)
202452.8 mm (2.1 in)
202579.0 mm (3.1 in)
2026103.9 mm (4.1 in)

Wettest five days (Rx5day)

Wettest five days (Rx5day) at Ames 5 SE by year The wettest five days of the year at Ames 5 SE, 1978 to 2026. The record is 262.5 mm (10.3 in) in 2010, marked on the chart; the median year is 105.1 mm (4.1 in). 010020030019801990200020102020Record: 262.5 mm (10.3 in) in 2010
The wettest five days of the year at Ames 5 SE, 1978 to 2026. The record is 262.5 mm (10.3 in) in 2010, marked on the chart; the median year is 105.1 mm (4.1 in).
Wettest five days (Rx5day) at Ames 5 SE by year
YearWettest five days (Rx5day)
197882.8 mm (3.3 in)
1979175.8 mm (6.9 in)
198069.4 mm (2.7 in)
198180.2 mm (3.2 in)
198281.5 mm (3.2 in)
198389.6 mm (3.5 in)
1984185.6 mm (7.3 in)
1985113.3 mm (4.5 in)
1986105.1 mm (4.1 in)
1987119.1 mm (4.7 in)
198889.8 mm (3.5 in)
198971.0 mm (2.8 in)
1990126.2 mm (5.0 in)
199192.5 mm (3.6 in)
1992133.4 mm (5.3 in)
1993167.7 mm (6.6 in)
199462.8 mm (2.5 in)
199561.3 mm (2.4 in)
199668.2 mm (2.7 in)
199769.8 mm (2.7 in)
1998102.4 mm (4.0 in)
199970.8 mm (2.8 in)
200070.4 mm (2.8 in)
2001139.7 mm (5.5 in)
200297.5 mm (3.8 in)
2003106.4 mm (4.2 in)
2004213.7 mm (8.4 in)
2005143.8 mm (5.7 in)
200689.8 mm (3.5 in)
2007126.1 mm (5.0 in)
2008151.0 mm (5.9 in)
2009128.5 mm (5.1 in)
2010262.5 mm (10.3 in)
2011110.8 mm (4.4 in)
201266.3 mm (2.6 in)
201391.0 mm (3.6 in)
2014111.4 mm (4.4 in)
2015118.9 mm (4.7 in)
2016131.5 mm (5.2 in)
201758.4 mm (2.3 in)
2018192.0 mm (7.6 in)
2019102.3 mm (4.0 in)
2020110.3 mm (4.3 in)
202198.3 mm (3.9 in)
202284.0 mm (3.3 in)
202376.2 mm (3.0 in)
2024113.2 mm (4.5 in)
2025112.3 mm (4.4 in)
2026186.2 mm (7.3 in)

Longest dry spell (CDD)

Longest dry spell (CDD) at Ames 5 SE by year The longest dry spell of the year at Ames 5 SE, 1978 to 2026. The record is 64 days in 2002, marked on the chart; the median year is 24 days. 02040608019801990200020102020Record: 64 days in 2002
The longest dry spell of the year at Ames 5 SE, 1978 to 2026. The record is 64 days in 2002, marked on the chart; the median year is 24 days.
Longest dry spell (CDD) at Ames 5 SE by year
YearLongest dry spell (CDD)
197823 days
197930 days
198028 days
198131 days
198215 days
198320 days
198416 days
198517 days
198632 days
198749 days
198843 days
198927 days
199019 days
199119 days
199222 days
199322 days
199423 days
199524 days
199624 days
199715 days
199830 days
199923 days
200018 days
200123 days
200264 days
200320 days
200419 days
200530 days
200618 days
200730 days
200814 days
200924 days
201026 days
201120 days
201221 days
201319 days
201418 days
201526 days
201625 days
201736 days
201823 days
201926 days
202020 days
202124 days
202226 days
202326 days
202426 days
202539 days
202641 days

Each chart shows one value per year; the dot marks the record year. TXx is the hottest daily maximum, TNn the coldest daily minimum, Rx1day and Rx5day the largest one-day and five-day rain totals, and CDD the longest run of days with less than 1 mm of rain. A year with missing days can understate an extreme.

Frost Dates and Growing Season

28 years with a frost

Across 28 years with a frost, the median last spring frost at Ames 5 SE falls on 25 April and the median first autumn frost on 10 October, which leaves a median of 169 days between them.

Fitted over all years, the growing season changes by +0.2 days per decade at this station.

Frost dates and growing season at Ames 5 SE
MeasureMedian, all yearsEarliest periodRecent period (1996 to 2024)Recent against earliestFitted trend
Last spring frost25 Apriln/a25 Apriln/a+1.7 days per decade
First autumn frost10 Octobern/a10 Octobern/a+1.9 days per decade
Growing days169 daysn/a169 daysn/a+0.2 days per decade

A frost day is a day with a daily minimum at or below 0 C (32 F). The last spring frost and the first autumn frost are the last and first such days of the cold season, and growing days are the days between them. A negative trend for the last spring frost means it comes earlier.

Rainfall Return Levels

47 years, 1979 to 2025

A day with at least 70.0 mm (2.8 in) of rain is expected about once in 2 years. A day with at least 178.5 mm (7.0 in) of rain is expected about once in 100 years.

Rainfall return levels at Ames 5 SE: the daily rain expected about once in a given number of years
Expected about once inA day with at leastNote
2 years70.0 mm (2.8 in)
5 years95.2 mm (3.7 in)
10 years113.3 mm (4.5 in)
25 years138.0 mm (5.4 in)
50 years157.7 mm (6.2 in)Longer than the 47 years of record
100 years178.5 mm (7.0 in)Longer than the 47 years of record

The levels come from a generalised extreme value (GEV) distribution fitted by L-moments to the wettest-day total of each year, 47 years of values from 1979 to 2025.

A return level is an estimate. It is least reliable for the long periods, 50 and 100 years, and for any period longer than the record behind the fit, where the fit has to reach past the largest day actually observed. It is not a forecast.

The largest wettest-day totals in the fit: 168.7 mm (6.6 in) in 2004; 141.2 mm (5.6 in) in 1984; 127.8 mm (5.0 in) in 2010.

Download the Data

  • Data for Ames 5 SE standing records by year: CSV or JSON. Field meanings are on the data page.
  • Data for Ames 5 SE threshold days by year: CSV or JSON. Field meanings are on the data page.

Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Global Historical Climatology Network Daily (GHCN-Daily). Records are computed by World Extreme Weather Monitor and are not official NOAA products. (US Government open data (NOAA NCEI)) Data as of 2026-10-13 (13 October 2026). Records are computed by this site and are not official.

Data as of . Last revised (2026-10-13).